Next stop playoffs: Jon Sumrall, Tulane beat No. 24 N. Texas 34-21 to win American Conference

Jon Sumrall, who became Florida’s football coach last weekend, still has some work to complete at Tulane before he moves to Gainesville full time. The No. 20 Green Wave on Friday defeated No. 24 North Texas 34-21 to win the American Conference Championship. That means Tulane is poised to make the College Football Playoff, which begins Dec. 19.

“Amazing. I’m so proud of our players,” Sumrall said after the game. “They finished the job. Conference championship. Player-driven team. It’s all about the players. We’ve got great leadership.”

Upon Sumrall accepting the job at Florida, it was announced he would coach Tulane this week and beyond, something the Gators, Green Wave and Sumrall decided was best. Monday, UF athletics director Scott Stricklin said this at Sumrall’s introductory press conference in Gainesville: “We wish him and the Green Wave well this week and beyond.”

Sumrall spent about six hours in Gainesville on Monday before heading back to New Orleans.

“Very grateful for Tulane for allowing me to finish the job,” he said Monday. “The job is not done, and I’ve got work to do. So today is going to be quick. It’s going to be fast. It’s been a little bit dizzying at times. But I’ve got to go back tonight because we’re in pursuit of doing something special as a team, and I’d like to thank Tulane and Scott and Florida for allowing me to go back with my guys and finish that job the right way.”

At his Tulane press conference two years ago, Jon Sumrall said, "I'm telling you right now, I'm speaking it into existence, we're going to make the College Football Playoff and we're going to win it."

The Green Wave are going to the College Football Playoff. pic.twitter.com/lxMHXfcoP0

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) December 6, 2025

While leading both programs at the same time this week, Sumrall has thus far navigated things quite well. With UF, he helped the Gators put the finishing touches on a successful early signing period while also working to make sure Tulane kept its class together (the Wave signed 14 players Wednesday). Florida signed 18 scholarship prospects and currently has the No. 13 class in the Rivals recruiting team rankings.

Jon Sumrall won his third conference title Friday

Friday night, Sumrall, now 43–11 overall, led a team to a conference title for the third time in his four seasons as a head coach. Tulane was a 1.5-point underdog per BetMGM against a high-scoring North Texas team that led the nation at 46.8 points a game. But after the Mean Green (11-2) scored on their opening drive, Tulane (11-2) ran off 31 straight points to take command.

Tulane’s defense limited North Texas to nearly 100 yards below its season average, forced four turnovers (a fifth came via special teams). Meanwhile, the Wave offense was efficient and physical, and Tulane made big plays when it counted most. The Wave finished 3 of 3 on fourth down in the game and one of those conversations was a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jake Retzlaff on the final play of the first half. That put Tulane in front 24-7.

North Texas, once down 31-7, closed to within 31-21 with 9:26 left in the fourth quarter. But after getting the ball back, Tulane put together a lengthy drive that ended with a field goal. Later, a North Texas pass was intercepted in the Wave end zone.

“It means everything,” Sumrall said of the win. “This is a football school. So proud of this university. I’m grateful I get to be here right now.”

Per Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, despite winning Friday, “Sumrall does plan to return to Gainesville for three days next week (Sunday-Tuesday) and then fly back to New Orleans for mid-week practice here in preparation for the first round of the playoffs.”