MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of expectations, the Tulane Green Wave weathered a furious second-half rally from the Memphis Tigers to secure a 38-32 victory in a key American Athletic Conference matchup Friday night at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

Entering the game as a 3.5-point underdog and given less than a 25 percent chance to win by statistical models, Tulane defied the projections by building a commanding 35-7 lead in the first half before holding on as Memphis mounted a desperate comeback that fell just short.

The Green Wave improved to 7-2 on the season, while the Tigers, who saw an eight-game winning streak snapped, fell to 8-2.

The game was a tale of two halves, defined by explosive plays and a dramatic shift in momentum. Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff was the catalyst for the early onslaught, orchestrating an offense that seemed unstoppable for the first 30 minutes.

The scoring began almost immediately. After forcing a Memphis punt on the opening drive, Tulane needed just one play to strike. On their first offensive snap, Retzlaff connected with Shazz Preston on a deep post route for a 65-yard touchdown, giving the Green Wave a 7-0 lead just over two minutes into the game.

Memphis responded with a drive of its own, capped by a 55-yard touchdown pass from Brendon Lewis to Jamari Hawkins to tie the game. But Tulane’s offense continued its relentless pace. A methodical 11-play, 75-yard drive was finished by a 5-yard Javin Gordon touchdown run, restoring the Tulane lead.

The first quarter ended with Tulane ahead 14-7, but the second quarter belonged entirely to the Green Wave. Retzlaff showcased his dual-threat ability, breaking free for a 33-yard touchdown run early in the period to extend the lead to 21-7.

After another Memphis punt, Retzlaff went back to the air, finding Anthony Brown-Stephens for a 54-yard scoring strike to push the advantage to 28-7. Memphis managed a 49-yard field goal from Gianni Spetic, but Tulane had one more first-half answer. Just before the break, Retzlaff engineered a precise two-minute drill, culminating in a 5-yard touchdown pass to Preston, his second of the game, sending the Green Wave into halftime with a commanding 35-10 lead.

Retzlaff’s first-half stat line was staggering, accounting for all four Tulane touchdowns. He finished the game 16 of 23 for 332 yards and three touchdowns through the air, adding 43 yards and another score on the ground.

The second half began with Tulane adding to its lead. A 42-yard completion from Retzlaff to Bryce Bohanon set up a 30-yard field goal by Patrick Durkin, making the score 38-17 and seemingly putting the game out of reach.

From that point, the momentum shifted decisively. The Memphis defense, led by linebacker Sam Brumfield’s game-high 11 tackles, began to stifle the Tulane offense, forcing a series of punts. Meanwhile, the Tigers’ offense, which had sputtered after its first scoring drive, found a new rhythm.

The comeback charge was led in part by backup quarterback Arrington Maiden, who provided a spark with his mobility. Maiden capped a long Memphis drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by Frank Peasant early in the fourth quarter. A successful two-point conversion pulled the Tigers to within 38-25.

After another Tulane three-and-out, Memphis marched down the field again. This time, Lewis, who finished 29 of 34 for 317 yards and two touchdowns, connected with Brady Kluse on a 25-yard scoring pass to make it a one-score game at 38-32 with 7:49 remaining.

The Green Wave offense continued to struggle, giving the ball back to Memphis with time for a potential game-winning drive. The Tigers drove into Tulane territory, but the comeback bid was ultimately extinguished when Lewis’s pass was intercepted by Tulane safety Jack Tchienchou with just over six minutes left.

Tulane managed to run out the clock from there, with Retzlaff picking up a critical first down on a 10-yard scramble and taking three kneel-downs to seal the victory.

Despite the loss, Memphis receiver Cortez Braham Jr. had a standout performance, hauling in 11 catches for 113 yards. For Tulane, Gordon provided a steady ground game with 66 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, while Bohanon added 101 receiving yards on four receptions.

The game’s total of 70 points sailed well over the sportsbook over/under line of 53.5, a testament to the offensive fireworks, particularly in the first half.

Tulane will look to build on this crucial conference win when they host Florida Atlantic on Nov. 15. Memphis, meanwhile, will aim to rebound on the same day when they travel to face East Carolina.