Tulane did its damage early by finding paydirt on its first two drives, and the No. 24 Green Wave locked in a spot in the American Conference title game by blanking the Charlotte 49ers 27-0 on Saturday night in New Orleans, La.
With the win, the Green Wave (10-2, 7-1) earned the right to host North Texas next Friday night in the American Football Championship in the first meeting between the teams this season.
Tulane’s Jake Retzlaff went 28 of 38 for 291 yards and two interceptions but rushed for two scores. Anthony Brown-Stephens had nine catches for 98 yards. Jamauri McClure rushed for 69 yards on 11 carries.
For Charlotte (1-11, 0-8), Grayson Loftis completed 18 of 25 passes for 140 yards with an interception. Sean Brown notched five receptions for 49 yards.
This was the first time either Charlotte or Tulane have been involved in shutouts this season.
With the news of Tulane coach Jon Sumrall emerging as the top candidate to lead Florida next season, Retzlaff moved the home team to the end zone on the first two series — 65 and 72 yards, respectively — that ended with short rushing touchdowns in the first nine minutes.
Javin Gordon plunged in on the first one from a yard out. Then Retzlaff called his own number to double the lead and take command of the matchup early on with another 1-yard score.
Charlotte’s Kadin Schmitz snuffed out a third straight scoring drive with an interception in the end zone, and the ensuing Tulane series ended with a fumble recovered by the 49ers’ Thai Baldwin.
Tulane safety Kevin Adams III snagged his second interception this season to set up the squad for its final points of the half, Retzlaff’s sneak with 1:09 remaining for his 14th TD on the ground this season.
Other than the interception, Retzlaff was strong in the half, completing all but five of his 19 passes for 174 yards.
In the third quarter, neither side could put up any points but the Green Wave traveled inside the red zone as the quarter ended and added to their lead with a 36-yard field goal by Patrick Durkin 66 seconds into the fourth quarter. Durkin later added a 52-yard field goal.
