MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of expectations, the Tulane Green Wave built a massive first-half lead and then withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally by the Memphis Tigers to secure a 38-32 victory on Friday night at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

The win improved Tulane’s record to 7-2 across all competitions, while Memphis fell to 8-2. The result defied pregame projections, as Interstat’s game simulator had forecast a Memphis win with a 35-22 final score and gave the Tigers a 75.6 percent probability of victory. Tulane entered the game as a 3.5-point underdog.

The game was a tale of two halves, dominated early by Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff. The Green Wave offense exploded in the first two quarters, scoring on their first two possessions and never looking back. Retzlaff was the catalyst, orchestrating scoring drives with precision.

He connected with Shazz Preston on a 65-yard touchdown pass less than three minutes into the game for the initial score. After Memphis answered with a 55-yard touchdown pass from Brendon Lewis to Jamari Hawkins, Tulane responded with a methodical 75-yard drive capped by a 5-yard Javin Gordon rushing touchdown.

The second quarter belonged entirely to the Green Wave. Retzlaff showcased his dual-threat ability, scrambling for a 33-yard touchdown to extend the lead. He then found Anthony Brown-Stephens for a 54-yard scoring strike. Just before halftime, Retzlaff engineered another efficient drive, culminating in a 5-yard touchdown pass to Preston, his second of the game, to give Tulane a commanding 35-14 lead at the break.

Retzlaff finished an efficient night, completing 16 of 23 passes for 332 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 43 yards and another score. His top targets were Bryce Bohanon, who had 101 receiving yards, and Preston, who tallied 85 yards and two touchdowns on just three receptions. Gordon anchored the ground game with 66 rushing yards and a touchdown.

The third quarter saw the offensive fireworks dim, with Tulane adding only a 30-yard Patrick Durkin field goal to take a 38-17 lead into the final period.

Memphis, however, refused to go quietly. The Tigers’ comeback attempt was fueled by a quarterback change and a relentless aerial attack. After starter Brendon Lewis was effective, completing 29 of 34 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns, Arrington Maiden provided a spark off the bench.

The Tigers scored 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Frank Peasant punched in a 1-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful two-point conversion pass. Later, Lewis found Brady Kluse for a 25-yard touchdown pass to pull Memphis within a single score at 38-32 with 7:49 remaining.

The Tigers’ defense stiffened, giving their offense multiple opportunities to complete the comeback. Memphis got the ball back with under five minutes to play, and Maiden led them into Tulane territory. His efforts ultimately fell short, however, as the drive stalled on downs at the Tulane 35-yard line after an incomplete pass on fourth down with 1:51 left.

Tulane’s defense, which had bent significantly in the second half, made the crucial stop when it mattered most. Jack Tchienchou sealed the victory with a late interception. Linebacker Makai Williams led the unit with 10 tackles, while Chris Rodgers and Sam Howard each recorded a sack.

For Memphis, Lewis spread the ball effectively, with Cortez Braham Jr. hauling in 11 catches for 113 yards. Kluse finished with six receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown, and Hawkins had five catches for 98 yards and a score. Linebacker Sam Brumfield was a defensive standout with 11 tackles in the losing effort.

The Green Wave managed to run out the clock after the final defensive stand, securing a critical road victory that keeps their conference title hopes alive. The combined score of 70 points sailed over the pregame over/under line of 53.5.