Report: Northwestern claims Tulane jersey request to honor Hurricane Katrina came late in process

Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall revealed following their season opener on Saturday that Northwestern prevented the Green Wave from wearing their white jerseys in honor of the 2005 team that wore them in their first game after Hurricane Katrina.

Due to the hurricane, Tulane opened its season late in 2005 on Sept. 17 in a 21-14 loss to Mississippi State. Those uniforms have gone down in program history as a symbol of pride and courage after rebounding from one of the worst natural disasters in American history.

Per college football insider Matt Fortuna however, a Northwestern source has claimed that Tulane’s request to wear white jerseys was made to the Wildcats on Aug. 17. Jerseys are typically agreed upon months before a game, which led to Northwestern failing to honor their request.

Per a Northwestern source, Tulane’s request to wear white jerseys was made to the Wildcats on Aug. 17.

Jerseys are typically agreed upon months before a game. https://t.co/OeyuX9zaet

— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) August 30, 2025

“When you disrespect the city of New Orleans, you’re going to run into it. … I’m not trying to be a jerk but don’t disrespect the City of New Orleans,” Sumrall said postgame.

Tulane certainly made Northwestern pay for the gesture, as it rolled the ‘Cats 23-3 to open the season 1-0.

Tulane outgained Northwestern 421-237 in win

The Green Wave absolutely steamrolled Northwestern in the win, outgaining the Wildcats 421-237. The Green Wave defense forced five turnovers and four interceptions from Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone.

Jon Sumrall‘s program has been tabbed as one of the favorites to earn the Group of Five bid into the 2025 College Football Playoff. He opens his second season at the helm with a big win over a Big Ten program and is now 10-5 in 15 games at Tulane.

BYU transfer quarterback Jake Retzlaff made a strong impression for the Green Wave, as he completed 18/31 passes for 152 yards and one touchdown. He also led the team in rushing (113 yards) with a 69-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter.

Retzlaff was available late this summer following his departure from BYU. He was the Cougars’ starter last fall where he posted 57.9% completion for 2,947 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, while also rushing for 417 yards and six more scores, in helping to lead a team that went 11-2 overall that contended out of the Big 12.

However, due to a now-dismissed civil case against him of sexual assault that played out through the spring and into the summer, Retzlaff, who, per the details of said case, would have broken the honor code at Brigham Young, wouldn’t return to Provo as he originally planned to transfer before just fully withdrawing from the school.

With that, Tulane spoke with general counsel in looking into Retzlaff’s situation. Once they received approval, the Green Wave took his commitment as a walk-on for this season.

The Green Wave improve to 1-0 and will travel to South Alabama next week.