STWF SPORTS | NEW ORLEANS, La | NOVEMBER 7, 2026 – The Tulane Green Wave returns to Yulman Stadium on Saturday, November 7, looking to build momentum when it hosts the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in an important American Conference matchup.
Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT, with national television coverage on ESPNU.
Both programs enter the contest with identical 4-4 overall records, but their conference positions differ. Tulane stands at 2-2 in American play, while Tulsa enters at 1-3.
With the regular season entering its final stretch, Saturday’s matchup presents an opportunity for Tulane to strengthen its postseason position while Tulsa looks to regain momentum following an open week.
Tulane Carries Momentum From Overtime Victory
The Green Wave enters Saturday following a dramatic 38-31 overtime victory over Charlotte on October 30.
Tulane erased a late deficit when Cameron Roberts caught an 11-yard touchdown pass with 10 seconds remaining in regulation.
In overtime, quarterback Dagan Bruno scored on a fourth-and-goal sneak before the defense delivered a decisive fourth-down stop.
The victory marked Tulane’s first overtime appearance since defeating Houston 27-24 in September 2022.
Quarterback Trace Johnson completed 28 of 36 passes for 284 yards and a touchdown against Charlotte, providing stability for the Green Wave offense.
Running back Johnnie Daniels contributed 99 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while special teams standout TJ Smith delivered a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown.
Smith’s performance earned him American Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Green Wave Defense Faces Important Challenge
Tulane’s defense will be tested against a Tulsa offense averaging 29.8 points and 369.8 total yards per game.
The Golden Hurricane generates 211.6 passing yards and 158.1 rushing yards per contest, providing offensive balance.
Tulane linebacker Dickson Agu enters the matchup averaging 9.6 tackles per game after recording a game-high 14 stops against Charlotte.
His performance earned honorable mention recognition from the American Conference.
The Green Wave also ranks fourth nationally with three blocked kicks, including Macho Stevenson’s field-goal block against Charlotte.
Tulane leads the conference in red-zone defense, allowing opponents to score on just 69.4 percent of their opportunities.
That efficiency could become significant against a Tulsa offense capable of sustaining long possessions.
Tulsa Brings Aggressive Defense and Strong Fourth-Down Execution
Despite its 1-3 conference record, Tulsa presents several challenges.
The Golden Hurricane has forced 15 turnovers through eight games, collecting seven interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.
Its ability to generate takeaways ranks among the nation’s best.
Defensively, Chris Thompson Jr. leads Tulsa with 10.1 tackles per game, ranking first in the American Conference and fifth nationally.
Tulsa has also demonstrated confidence in critical situations, converting 18 of 23 fourth-down attempts for a 78.3 percent success rate.
That aggressive approach could influence Saturday’s matchup, particularly in short-yardage situations.
Historical Rivalry Favors Tulsa
Saturday marks the 22nd meeting between the programs.
Tulsa leads the all-time series 13-8, although Tulane has won six of the previous eight matchups.
The Green Wave has also captured three consecutive victories in the series, including a 31-14 road win last season.
Recent meetings in New Orleans have been competitive, with the previous two contests at Yulman Stadium decided by a combined nine points.
Tulsa’s most recent victory in New Orleans came in 2021, when the Golden Hurricane secured a 20-13 overtime win.
Key Statistical Matchup
| Category | Tulane | Tulsa |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 4-4 | 4-4 |
| Conference Record | 2-2 | 1-3 |
| Points Per Game | 22.5 | 29.8 |
| Points Allowed | 25.4 | 24.4 |
| Rushing Yards/Game | 145.5 | 158.1 |
| Passing Yards/Game | 203.4 | 211.6 |
| Total Offense/Game | 348.9 | 369.8 |
STWF Sports Game Outlook
Tulane enters Saturday with home-field advantage and renewed confidence following its comeback victory over Charlotte.
However, Tulsa’s ability to force turnovers and execute on fourth down makes the Golden Hurricane a dangerous opponent.
For the Green Wave, protecting the football, establishing offensive balance and maintaining its red-zone defensive efficiency will be essential.
STWF Sports Final Takeaway: Tulane has an opportunity to build momentum in American Conference play while moving closer to bowl eligibility. A disciplined performance at Yulman Stadium could provide another important step toward a strong finish to the 2026 season.
STWF Sports | Tulane Green Wave Football Coverage | American Conference | 2026 Season
