Tulane marked the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with a 23-3 victory over Northwestern, donning no-decal helmets as a tribute to the 2005 team that played its first game post-Katrina. Although they requested to wear white jerseys similar to those worn in 2005, Northwestern denied this request, forcing Tulane to wear their usual home olive green jerseys.

Coach Jon Sumrall was clearly frustrated about the decision, stating:

“That’s their prerogative, but when you show disrespect to the city of New Orleans that’s what’s going to happen to you. You’re going to run into a team like this. They had a chip on their shoulder…”
“So, don’t disrespect New Orleans ever.”

Northwestern explained that the jersey approval process began on August 17 and such agreements are typically made months ahead.

During the game, quarterback Jake Retzlaff made a notable $1$ out of BYU, showcasing his skills with 265 total yards and connecting with Justyn Reid for a touchdown. In contrast, Northwestern struggled offensively, with Preston Stone throwing four interceptions and a fumble that contributed to their defeat.