Jake Retzlaff set a single-game school record for a quarterback with four rushing touchdown runs and Tulane spoiled the return of Darian Mensah in a 34-27 win against Duke on Saturday night in New Orleans.
Retzlaff, a transfer from BYU, completed 15 of 23 passes for 245 yards, and ran 17 times for 111 yards, including touchdowns of 19, 6, 20 and 11 yards. Shazz Preston caught three passes for 95 yards as Tulane improved to 3-0.
Mensah quarterbacked the Green Wave to nine wins and an American Conference Championship appearance in 2024 but then transferred to Duke and the ACC.
He was 30-of-51 passing for 301 yards, three touchdowns and one interception as Duke (1-2) lost its second straight game.
With Tulane up 24-9 early in the third quarter Retzlaff took off on a 29-yard gain, but the ball was knocked out and the Blue Devils recovered at the Tulane 42. Mensah later hit Landen King for a 3-yard touchdown and Duke was within 24-16.
Tulane answered. Retzlaff converted fourth-and-2 at the Green Wave 45. After three straight passes moved the ball to the Blue Devils 11, Retzlaff went up the middle for the touchdown.
Duke then drove to the Tulane 24 but Todd Pelino’s 41-yard field-goal attempt was blocked by Tavare Smith.
Retzlaff then threw a 63-yard bomb to Preston, and Patrick Durkin’s 27-yard field goal made it 34-16 with 14:12 left in the game.
Mensah hit Nate Sheppard for a 4-yard score and the two-point conversion pulled Duke within 34-24 with 2:57 left.
Duke got the ball back and Mensah hit Chase Tyler to the 15, but a face mask penalty pushed the Blue Devils back 15 yards. Pelino’s 47-yard field goal made it 34-27 with 1:06 left, but Tulane recovered the onside kick.
The Green Wave went 64 yards in six plays on their first possession of the game with Retzlaff running up the middle for an 18-yard touchdown.
After Duke missed a field goal from 44 yards, Retzlaff completed three passes for 42 yards and capped a 74-drive with a 6-yard touchdown run.
With Tulane up 14-3, Retzlaff hit Preston for 28 yards to the Duke 20. Retzlaff covered those 20 yards and the lead was 21-3 with 6:00 left in the half.
Duke scored when Mensah and Sahmir Hagans hooked up for a 29-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left in the half. The two-point conversion pass failed and Duke trailed 24-9.
–Field Level Media
