STWF Sports | NEW ORLEANS | October 24, 2026 — Tulane returns to Yulman Stadium on Saturday night for a pivotal American Conference matchup against UTSA, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
The Green Wave enter at 3-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play after a 31-17 victory over Memphis, while UTSA arrives at 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the American riding a four-game winning streak.
Saturday’s game will mark just the fourth meeting between the programs. UTSA leads the all-time series 2-1, but Tulane won the only previous matchup in New Orleans, defeating the Roadrunners 29-16 in 2023.
Tulane Riding Defensive Momentum
The Green Wave are coming off one of their most disruptive defensive performances in years.
Against Memphis, Tulane forced six takeaways and recorded seven sacks, becoming the first FBS team since Louisville in 2022 to reach both marks in the same game.
Safety Kevin Adams III was at the center of that effort, recording two interceptions and a fumble recovery. His performance earned him American Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors.
TJ Smith also delivered a major momentum-changing play with a 76-yard interception return for a touchdown, Tulane’s first defensive score of the season.
Special teams also played a significant role. Cooper Helmke connected on a 56-yard field goal, his third make from 50 yards or longer this season, while punter William Hudlow continued his strong year with a 72-yard punt that set a Yulman Stadium record.
Tulane enters the matchup ranked among the league leaders in several defensive categories, including red-zone defense and fourth-down conversion defense.
Home Field Has Become a Major Advantage
The Green Wave have won 10 consecutive home games, dating back to the start of the 2025 season.
That streak is tied for the fourth-longest home winning stretch in program history.
Head coach Will Hall is also unbeaten at Yulman Stadium as a head coach, improving to 4-0 all-time at the venue after the Memphis win.
Tulane’s broader conference résumé remains impressive as well. Since the start of the 2022 season, the Green Wave are 30-4 in regular-season conference play, one of the best winning percentages in the country over that span.
UTSA Arrives With Momentum
UTSA presents one of Tulane’s toughest tests of the season.
The Roadrunners are off to a 6-1 start, their best seven-game record since 2021, and are already bowl eligible for the seventh straight season under head coach Jeff Traylor.
UTSA moved to 3-0 in conference play with a dramatic 38-34 victory over Navy last week.
A’Marion Peterson scored the game-winning touchdown on a 41-yard reception in the final minutes, while the UTSA defense closed the game with a fourth-down stop.
The Roadrunners have also shown late-game toughness throughout Traylor’s tenure, posting strong marks in one-score games and close fourth-quarter situations.
Strength Against Strength
Saturday’s matchup could hinge on which team controls the critical moments.
Tulane has won nine of its last 10 games decided by eight points or fewer, while UTSA has built a reputation for executing late in close games.
The Green Wave will also need to slow a Roadrunners team that has already secured multiple fourth-quarter comeback wins this season.
For Tulane, the opportunity is significant.
A win would move the Green Wave above .500, strengthen their position in the American race and extend one of the program’s best home winning streaks.
For UTSA, a victory would keep the Roadrunners unbeaten in conference play and reinforce their place atop the league standings.
Game: UTSA at Tulane
Date: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026
Kickoff: 7 p.m. CT
Location: Yulman Stadium, New Orleans
TV: ESPNU
