Former BYU QB Jake Retzlaff debuts for Tulane in victory - ESPN

NEW ORLEANS — Jake Retzlaff passed for a touchdown on the first series of his Tulane debut and scored on a 69-yard run as the Green Wave rolled to a 23-3 victory over Northwestern on Saturday.

Retzlaff — who won 11 games at BYU last season, but transferred after learning he faced a suspension for violating his former school's honor code — accounted for 265 yards of offense. He passed for 152 yards and rushed for 113.

«It's been a long offseason,» Retzlaff said. «So, I'm just so excited to be able to get on this field and play with these guys. I've got a great group of guys around me. I'm so fortunate.»

His numbers could have been better if not for six drops by Tulane receivers, including two in the end zone during one early drive that ended with a short field goal.

«Big-time performance for a guy who's been here a whopping 38 days,» Tulane coach Jon Sumrall said of Retzlaff.

New Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone, a transfer from SMU, threw a career-high four interceptions in his Wildcats debut, including on his first pass. He also lost a late fumble.

«One game does not define us as a football team; this one just happens to be the first one and stings a lot,» Northwestern coach David Braun said.

«Preston Stone didn't play his best football game today, but I said it boldly in that locker room, 'Believe in that guy. That's our quarterback,'» Braun added. «He's mentally tough, physically tough. He'll respond well.»

Tulane converted the first three interceptions into 17 points — starting with Retzlaff's scoring pass to Justyn Reid in the back of the end zone — while building a 20-3 halftime lead.

«The defense set the tone and then we followed suit by scoring on that first possession,» Retzlaff said. «It's awesome to have