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Welcome to a new chapter of Tulane Football as Jon Sumrall steps in as head coach, taking the reins from Willie Fritz, who departed for Houston. But this isn't the first time K-State has seen Sumrall on the sidelines. The Wildcats faced off against his Troy team last season, dominating with a 42-13 victory in Manhattan.
Sumrall's squads at Troy, where he boasted an impressive 23-4 record over two seasons, were known for their stout defense, and that reputation held firm in Tulane's opener. The Green Wave defense was relentless, allowing just 201 yards and pitching a 52-0 shutout, reminiscent of their season opener against Alcorn State in 2022.
Also in 2022, Tulane made the trip to Manhattan and pulled off a stunning upset over K-State, winning 17-10. Now, the Wildcats look to return the favor as they head to New Orleans for an 11 a.m. kickoff on ESPN.
For a comprehensive breakdown of what the Green Wave bring to the field, catch the latest episode of 'Enemy Insight.' Jon Grove sits down with Tulane's play-by-play broadcaster and Director of Broadcasting, Corey Gloor, for all the insights you need.
Redshirt Rip Tide
The pressing question all offseason for Sumrall was, “Who is your starting quarterback?” While many believed the race to involve former five-star Oregon recruit Ty Thompson and incumbent backup Kai Horton, the shocking answer was neither. Instead, Darian Mensah trotted into the first huddle of the year, winning the job without any prior experience.
It didn’t look like a debut for Mensah on Thursday night. The quarterback enjoyed a near-perfect outing, completing 10-of-12 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns, serving as the model of efficiency in the shutout victory. Although more is to be seen, the 6’3”, 200 pound Mensah logged two rushes for 14 yards, giving hope that he can replicate the mobility of longtime Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt and give the offense that extra degree of versatility. Thompson and Horton both checked in during the second half of the opener, but unless Mensah proves otherwise in-game against the Wildcats, he’s clearly done enough to remain the No. 1 option.
Surge and Splash
Speaking of No. 1 options, regardless of who Tulane boasts at quarterback, the most utilized offensive player Saturday will likely be running back Makhi Hughes. Hughes burst onto the scene as a workhorse running back in 2023, ranking ninth in the country with 1,378 yards and earning 20+ carries in eight of his 14 outings. Hughes was understandably limited to 14 in the blowout, but his production likely ramps up unless Kansas State has an early answer and Tulane finds itself playing multiple possessions behind in the second half.
The Green Wave attack with a veteran offensive line, and Sumrall won’t be afraid to use their services to pave the way for Hughes and the running backs, especially after he coached Kimani Vidal — Troy’s running back who ranked second in rushing yardage last season.
Returning wide receiver Yulkeith Brown and veteran tight end Alex Bauman are reliable options back in the mix, and now Tulane has an explosive option at its disposal as well — a perfect replacement for NFL Draft pick Jha’Quan Jackson. The offense’s exciting new shiny weapon is Mario Williams, a former Oklahoma and USC standout who attained 124 yards on four catches in the opener.
Wave Breakers
Given Sumrall’s background as a defensive assistant, it’s no surprise his Troy teams were the best in the Sun Belt on that side of the ball. Tulane displayed its defensive strength with a shutout and just 201 yards allowed in Week 1 against Southeastern Louisiana. However, facing a Kansas State offense that averaged 9.1 yards per carry against UT-Martin last weekend will present an entirely different challenge.
The Green Wave’s defense, bolstered by five returning starters and key new additions from the portal, proved to be a formidable force. Last season, Tulane's ability to shut down the run, allowing only 112.7 yards per game, was a cornerstone of their success and will be crucial for any potential upset this Saturday.
How the Cats will Fare
Tulane’s offense is likely to respond to almost every Kansas State score, and Johnson may have some off-target throws that keep the game close.
However, weather conditions could shift the dynamics of the game. While temperatures are expected to be in the mid-70s, there’s an 80% chance of showers and thunderstorms early on. This could lead to delays and potentially reduce the crowd at Yulman Stadium.
Additionally, with wet conditions, both teams will likely focus more on their ground game, and I’m inclined to favor K-State’s depth in the backfield. Even though it’s been two years since that loss to Tulane in Manhattan, several players on the K-State roster are likely to have a chip on their shoulder. Head Coach Chris Klieman is probably carrying that same sentiment, despite his denial during Monday’s press conference.
All these factors should make for a very intriguing matchup in the Big Easy.
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