Northwestern and Tulane open their 2025 campaigns with an early kickoff in the south Louisiana heat

By Canadian Press on August 28, 2025.

Northwestern at Tulane, Saturday, noon EDT.

BetMGM College Football Odds: Tulane by 5 1/2.

How to watch: ESPNU.

Key stats

Northwestern (2024)

Overall offense: 284.4 yards per game (130th in FBS)

Passing: 185.9 yards per game (111th)

Rushing: 98.5 yards per game (122nd)

Scoring: 17.8 points per game (128th)

Overall defense: 361.8 yards allowed per game (56th in FBS)

Passing: 231.8 yards allowed per game (89th)

Rushing: 129.9 yards allowed per game (37th)

Scoring: 26.3 points allowed per game (81st)

Tulane (2024)

Overall offense: 405.0 yards per game (52nd in FBS)

Passing: 209.4 yards per game (89th)

Rushing: 145.8 yards per game (60th)

Scoring: 35.1 points per game (16th)

Overall defense: 323.5 yards allowed per game (24th in FBS)

Passing: 177.7 yards allowed per game (15th)

Rushing: 80.5 yards per game (2nd)

Scoring: 20.6 points allowed per game (24th)

Team leaders

Northwestern (2024)

Passing: Jack Lausch, 1,714 yards, 7 TDs, 8 INTs, 53.7 completion percentage

Rushing: Cam Porter, 501 yards on 126 carries, 6 TDs

Receiving: A.J. Henning, 603 yards on 59 catches, 4 TDs

Tulane (2024)

Passing: Darian Mensah, 2,723 yards, 22 TDs, 6 INTs, 65.9 completion percentage

Rushing: Makhi Hughes, 1,401 yards on 265 carries, 15 TDs

Receiving: Mario Williams, 1,031 yards, 60 catches, 6 TDs

Last game

Northwestern lost to Illinois 38-28 to finish 2024 at 4-8.

Tulane lost to Florida 33-8 in the Gasparilla Bowl to finish on a three-game skid and at 9-5 overall.

Next game

Northwestern hosts Western Illinois on Sept. 5. Tulane visits South Alabama on Sept. 6.

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The Associated Press