The Tulane Green Wave football team is heading to face the South Alabama Jaguars to build off an impressive season opener.
That 23-3 victory over the Northwestern Wildcats showed excellent execution in all three phases and went a long way towards the Green Wave’s goals for contention this season.
The offseason was dominated by a competition for quarterbacks, and Jake Retzlaff's surprise entry proved crucial as he led the team under center in Week 1.
Retzlaff was one of eight quarterbacks who were named as a Star of the Week by the Manning Award, which was announced by the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Tuesday.
Altogether, Retzlaff accounted for 265 total yards on offense.
He completed 18 passes for 152 yards and one touchdown but showed off some deceptive and unexpected speed on the ground. Retzlaff led the ground game, recording 10 carries for 113 yards and a rushing touchdown that was his Welcome to Uptown moment.
That 69-yard rushing touchdown was the third-longest by a quarterback in program history. He also became the first quarterback to run for a touchdown and over 100 yards at home since 1995.
The Stars of the Week honored seventy-four players during the 2024 season.
Such recognition could potentially propel Retzlaff to a late spot on the Manning Award Watchlist. The Manning Award selects 27 quarterbacks in the preseason but is expected to add additional competitors midseason.
Named after Archie, Peyton, and Eli Manning, the Manning Award recognizes the top names in college football.
Retzlaff wasn’t the only reason Tulane beat the Wildcats, but he gave a sincere sense of excitement under center.
His semi-surprising rushing prowess can only stand to be complemented by his current backup, Brendan Sullivan, who is nothing short of a red zone threat.
That a Green Wave quarterback in Week 1 was recognized by the Manning Award says a lot about the success of the quarterback competitions conducted under head coach Jon Sumrall.
After losing Darian Mensah to the Duke Blue Devils, the thought of repeating that search could have demoralized a program.
Instead, the process that truly produced the best competitor for the 2024 season is largely the reason that Tulane football is an attractive designation for quarterbacks searching for a home and a true place to compete.
While Sullivan may take some reps under center as the season progresses, one thing is clear: the Green Wave quarterback legacy is in a strong spot.