NEW ORLEANS — Jake Retzlaff threw for 152 yards and a touchdown and added a 69-yard scoring run as Tulane controlled Northwestern 23-3 in the season opener Saturday at Yulman Stadium.

A transfer from BYU, Retzlaff capped Tulane’s opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Justyn Reid, then broke the game open late in the first half with his long scoring run up the middle. Patrick Durkin chipped in three field goals, including a 41-yarder in the second quarter, as the Green Wave (1-0) built a 20-3 halftime lead and never looked back.

Tulane’s defense forced five turnovers — four interceptions and a fumble — and held Northwestern scoreless after the first quarter. Jahiem Johnson, Kevin Adams III, Javion White and Jaden Johnson all picked off passes, while Kameron Hamilton added a strip sack.

Maurice Turner rushed for 85 yards, while Retzlaff ran 10 times for 113 yards and the long touchdown. Omari Hayes caught nine passes for 74 yards to lead Tulane’s receivers.

Northwestern (0-1) managed just 76 rushing yards and saw quarterback Preston Stone intercepted four times despite throwing for 161 yards. Luke Akers’ 21-yard field goal in the final minute of the first quarter provided the Wildcats’ only points. Griffin Wilde led Northwestern with six receptions for 64 yards.

Tulane outgained Northwestern 420-237 and controlled the ball for more than 33 minutes. The Green Wave defense sacked Stone three times and limited the Wildcats to 5-of-11 on third downs and 0-for-2 on fourth. Linebacker Robert Fitzgerald led Northwestern with 13 tackles.

Durkin was perfect on three field goals and two extra points, while Alec Clark averaged nearly 49 yards per punt to keep Northwestern pinned deep.