By Garin Turner
No. 20 Tulane claimed the American Athletic Conference Championship on Saturday, powering past No. 24 North Texas 34–21 behind a dominant second quarter and a relentless defensive effort that forced five Mean Green turnovers. The win pushes Tulane to 11–2, while North Texas falls to 11–2 as they await their bowl destination.
⸻
How It Happened
North Texas opened the scoring with a sharp, efficient first drive, capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass from Drew Mestemaker to Tre Williams III. Tulane answered immediately, marching down the field before quarterback Jake Retzlaff punched in a two-yard score to tie the game at 7–7 entering the second quarter.
From there, the contest tipped decisively in Tulane’s favor.
The Mean Green unraveled offensively, turning the ball over five times—including three interceptions and two fumbles—which repeatedly set Tulane up with short fields. After North Texas’ first fumble, Tulane needed only two plays to take its first lead, finishing with a seven-yard burst from Jamauri McClure.
Tulane added another touchdown as time expired in the half, with Retzlaff scoring on a one-yard keeper to produce a commanding 24–7 halftime lead.
North Texas briefly threatened in the third quarter. Despite consecutive interceptions—including a 35-yard pick-six from Tulane’s Chris Rodgers—they responded with a 59-yard strike from Mestemaker to Miles Coleman, pulling within two scores. The Mean Green made it 31–21 early in the fourth on a nine-yard touchdown run by Ashton Gray.
But Tulane’s early cushion and defensive havoc were too much for North Texas to overcome. The Green Wave controlled the clock, the trenches, and the turnover margin to secure the league title.
⸻
Team Leaders
Tulane
• Passing: Jake Retzlaff — 13/22, 145 yards
• Rushing: Jamauri McClure — 22 carries, 121 yards, 1 TD
• Receiving: Garrett Mmahat — 3 receptions, 39 yards
North Texas
• Passing: Drew Mestemaker — 21/34, 294 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
• Rushing: Ashton Gray — 8 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD
• Receiving: Miles Coleman — 7 receptions, 125 yards, 1 TD
⸻
What’s Next
Tulane, now 11–2 with a conference championship, positions itself strongly for College Football Playoff consideration—especially in a chaotic postseason landscape. North Texas, also 11–2, awaits its bowl destination and still heads into postseason play with a chance to finish one of the best seasons in program history.
