By: Charlie Spungin, NUSports.com
NEW ORLEANS, La. (August 30, 2025) - Northwestern suffered a Week 1 setback to begin the 2025 season, dropping a 23-3 decision to Tulane on Saturday at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, La.
"Credit Tulane, really good football team. Credit to their coaching staff. Job well done by them," Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun said. "One game does not define us as a football team. This one just happens to be the first one and sting a lot, especially with a team that has built a great deal of confidence throughout the offseason."
Robert Fitzgerald led the Wildcats (0-1) with a career-high 13 tackles, the most by a Northwestern defensive back since Rod Heard II piled up 13 stops against Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl on December 23, 2023. Mac Uihlein tallied nine tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss, tying a career-high. Garner Wallace set a career-high with eight stops of his own. Making his Northwestern debut, Fred Davis II was credited seven tackles, the most by a player in their first Northwestern appearance since August 31, 2013 when Dwight White had seven stops against California. Aidan Hubbard tallied the Wildcats' first sack of the season in the second quarter.
On the offensive side of the ball, Cam Porter led Northwestern with 46 rushing yards on six carries, averaging a career-best 7.7 yards per carry (min. 5 attempts). Joseph Himon II and Caleb Komolafe each posted new career highs for rushing attempts. Himon II picked up 38 yards on eight carries, while Komolafe added 34 yards on nine tries. It marked the first time Northwestern had three running backs exceed 30 rushing yards since September 25, 2021.
Griffin Wilde paced all Wildcat pass catchers, picking up 64 yards on six receptions. Wilde's 64 receiving yards are the most by a player making their Wildcat debut since September 3, 2021 when Stephon Robinson finished with 79 yards against Michigan State.
Tulane (1-0) struck first with a touchdown on its opening drive, but the Wildcats mounted a response shortly after. Following a stop by its defense, Northwestern marched 69 yards as part of a 13-play drive that elapsed 7:35, with Luke Akers' 21-yard field goal putting the visitors on the board, 7-3.
On the Northwestern scoring drive, Preston Stone hit on all five of his pass attempts for 46 yards. Wilde added his first two catches as a Wildcat, while Ricky Ahumaraeze brought in a 21-yard reception for his first collegiate catch.
The Green Wave added a touchdown and a pair of field goals during the second frame to open up a 20-3 halftime advantage before capping off the scoring with a 31-yard field goal on the opening drive of the second half.
Northwestern returns to Evanston to host Western Illinois at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in its home opener on Friday, September 5. The 6:30 p.m. CT matchup will air on Big Ten Network and can be heard on WGN Radio 720.
