NEW ORLEANS — Tulane University secured a decisive 31-17 victory over the University of Memphis on Friday night, marked by a robust defensive performance that included six forced turnovers.
In a standout moment just before halftime, Tulane’s T.J. Smith returned an interception 76 yards for a touchdown, giving Tulane a 23-10 lead at halftime. The Green Wave’s defense had already recovered three fumbles during the game, a notable increase in turnovers compared to their previous five games this season.
Freshman quarterback Trace Johnson made his first collegiate start for Tulane, completing 11 of 21 passes for 165 yards, which included a touchdown and one interception. His scoring pass was a 38-yarder to Destyn Hill, allowing Tulane to take the lead at 13-10 late in the second quarter.
Memphis initially took the lead after Philippe Laforge kicked a 44-yard field goal on their opening drive. The Tigers extended their lead to 10-3 after a short pass from Marcus Stokes to Stonka Burnside turned into a 76-yard touchdown. Tulane responded with a field goal and a touchdown to end the first half ahead.
The second half was scoreless until Stokes connected with Jemyri Davis for a 6-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the deficit to 23-17 with 3:34 left in the game. However, a critical interception by Tulane’s Kevin Adams III on the ensuing possession sealed the victory for the Green Wave.
Stokes finished the game with 306 yards, completing 20 of 37 passes with two touchdowns and four interceptions. He also lost two of three fumbles. Memphis’s Jaylin Carter contributed significantly with 135 yards on 23 carries, while Burnside led the receivers with 151 yards on seven catches.
The victory marked the first time since the 2013 season that Tulane has forced six turnovers in a game, reflecting a significant turnaround in their defensive strategy.
Looking ahead, Memphis will host East Carolina on Thursday, while Tulane prepares to host UTSA on October 24.
