Florida Atlantic vs Tulane: Green Wave Cruise to Big Win
In a pivotal matchup, Florida Atlantic vs Tulane saw the Tulane Green Wave secure a commanding 35–16 victory over the Florida Atlantic Owls. The game, played on November 15, 2025, underscored Tulane’s growing momentum in the American Athletic Conference and raised serious questions about FAU’s consistency moving forward.
Game Recap: Key Moments and Turning Points
First Half: Tulane Sets the Tone
From the opening drive, Tulane came out firing. The Green Wave struck first with a 14-yard touchdown run by J. Calloway, letting the Owls know they meant business. Florida Atlantic managed to respond with a field goal, but Tulane maintained control, leveraging a balanced offensive attack and disciplined defense to keep FAU from building any sustained drive.
Second Half: Consistent Pressure and Execution
In the second half, Tulane continued to dominate. Their offense remained efficient, balancing pass and run to chew up clock and convert key third downs. Meanwhile, Florida Atlantic’s offense struggled to find rhythm: their starting quarterback, Caden Veltkamp, completed 33 of 50 passes but turned the ball over three times, including a critical interception in the fourth quarter that thwarted a potential comeback.
Tulane’s defense tightened in the final quarter, shutting down FAU’s run game and forcing key third-and-long situations. The Wave added a late touchdown to put the game out of reach, closing out a thoroughly controlled performance.
Standout Players: Driving the Wave
- Jake Retzlaff (Tulane): The Green Wave’s quarterback was poised and accurate, finishing 18 of 27 for 241 yards and two touchdowns. His efficient decision-making and timely throws were instrumental in Tulane’s scoring drives.
- J. Calloway (Tulane): Calloway’s ground game was a force, especially on that early touchdown run and in crucial short-yardage situations later in the game.
- Tulane Defense: The Green Wave’s defense deserves high praise. They limited FAU’s big-play ability, made key stops, and created turnovers at pivotal moments that shifted momentum firmly in their favor.
- Florida Atlantic Offense: Despite the loss, FAU showed flashes—Veltkamp’s passing yardage was solid, but the turnovers and failure in the red zone proved costly.
Strategic Breakdown: What Worked for Tulane
Balanced Offensive Attack
Tulane’s success in the Florida Atlantic vs Tulane game came from its balance. The Green Wave didn’t lean too heavily on either the run or the pass. They mixed in effective rushing runs to set up play-action and exploited short-yardage passing when FAU’s defense stacked up to stop the run.
Turnover Margin and Game Management
Tulane’s ability to generate turnovers — while protecting the ball themselves — was a huge factor. By winning the turnover battle, the Green Wave frequently flipped field position and maintained control. Their discipline on third downs and management of the clock in key moments prevented the Owls from mounting a sustained threat.
Defensive Execution
Tulane’s defense applied consistent pressure and played with discipline. They clamped down on FAU’s running backs, forced difficult third downs, and prevented explosive plays. In the red zone, the Green Wave bent but didn’t break, making the crucial plays when the Owls threatened to score.
Implications and Outlook
For Tulane
- AAC Momentum: This win gives Tulane meaningful momentum in the conference. With a 7–2 record entering this game, they are positioning themselves as a serious contender.
- Team Confidence: Controlling FAU both offensively and defensively can help boost confidence as they move into tougher matchups.
- Strategic Validation: The balanced game plan is paying off. If Tulane continues to play this way, they will be difficult to stop.
For Florida Atlantic
- Offensive Inconsistency: Despite decent passing volume, FAU’s turnovers are a concern. They must find a way to reduce mistakes in critical moments.
- Defense Under Pressure: The Owls’ defense was exposed, particularly in third-down situations. Adjustments will be needed to close out tight games.
- Rebuilding Urgency: With this loss, FAU may need to rethink parts of its approach to stay competitive in the AAC.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The Florida Atlantic vs Tulane matchup has grown in importance in recent seasons, as both programs vie for upper-tier positioning in the AAC. Tulane’s steady rise has coincided with FAU’s moments of volatility — and today’s result could be a turning point. The Green Wave’s dominance in this game not only reinforces their place in the conference but also signals potential trouble ahead for FAU unless they tighten up their game.
Looking Ahead
Looking forward, Tulane will aim to ride this momentum into their next conference matchups, leveraging their balanced offense and opportunistic defense to stay in contention. Florida Atlantic, meanwhile, must regroup quickly — turning over the ball less, correcting red-zone issues, and tightening up defensively if they want to salvage their season.
Credit: SportbuzzHub.com
Date: November 16, 2025
