New Orleans, La. – If Tulane Green Wave quarterback Jake Retzlaff had a chip on his shoulder after transferring from the BYU Cougars, he didn’t show it much in the first two games of the season.
Perhaps he didn’t have one at all. But he certainly would’ve been within his rights to after an entire week of discussion about the Duke Blue Devils starting quarterback.
His performance in the Green Wave’s 34-27 win over the Blue Devils was a moment to remember, and one for everyone to forget about everything surrounding the last quarterback under center, Darian Mensah.
Retzlaff, quite frankly, made a case for absorbing both the loss of Mensah and Makhi Hughes.
He set a school record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single game as he recorded all four touchdowns in Tulane’s win on Saturday night.
Each score by Retzlaff brought a roar from a raucous sold-out crowd with a student section that dispelled any notions about this not being a football school.
In addition to his 111 rushing yards, Retzlaff threw for 245 yards on less passing attempts than Mensah’s completions.
Retzlaff is the Green Wave’s leading rusher, and it’s not because the running backs room hasn’t produced, quite the opposite.
He has run for over 100 yards in two of the three games played. He’s matched his rushing touchdown output last season for the Cougars with six in three wins.
Tulane’s receivers stepped up as much as Retzlaff after not showing much consistency through Week 2. Week 3 showed an offense that can beat real contenders.
Now, that 34-27 final score didn’t depict how much this game’s tempo was led by the Green Wave. But the back-and-forth dance towards the end showed why there was reason to bring up Darian Mensah all week.
Mensah and his receiving corps – alongside Duke’s rushing attack – was the best passing offense Tulane has faced. They were tested; they bent; they were on the wrong side of some questionable penalty calls.
But, as the best teams do, they didn’t break.
They evened out the turnover margin with an interception by Javion White – his third of the year.
Then there’s the third phase. Special teams has become a lethal weapon for the Green Wave. Tavare Smith Jr.’s blocked punt was an impact play and a gamechanger. Patrick Durkin has brought a calm back to the kicker role that wasn't there at times last year.
It brought Tulane to their first 3-0 start since the 2022 season with two wins over Power Four opponents.
Despite not garnering much respect in the AP Top 25, the Ole Miss Rebels should fear the Wave.