The NU - Tulane Series | HailToPurple.com

NU Plays Tulane for the First Time
in Nearly Seventy Years

When Northwestern kicks off its season at Tulane, it will mark the first game against the Green Wave since 1956. The teams have only played four times so far, and Tulane holds a 3-1 advantage over the 'Cats.

Here is a look at the previous games in this series.

1925

Northwestern was supposed to host Tulane at Northwestern Field. However, before the season NU moved its home games against Michigan and Tulane to Soldier Field in Chicago to handle the expected large crowds. A scheduling conflict at Soldier Field led to the Tulane game being moved yet again-- it was eventually played at the University of Chicago's Stagg Field (NU would play at Stagg Field twice in 1925: once as the visiting team vs. Chicago and once as the home team vs. Tulane).

The trip to Chicago, to face a legitimate Big Ten title contender, was a big deal for the Green Wave, and the team brought its marching band.

Tulane was a heavy underdog. Northwestern was a powerful team in 1925 and would go on to upend Michigan and come very close to taking the Big Ten title as expected. However, Tulane stunned the Wildcats, 18-7, in part thanks to Charles "Peggy" Flournoy, a punter who scored all three of Tulane's touchdowns. His electric performance against Northwestern led to Flournoy being named Tulane's first-ever All-American.

NU featured its star, Ralph "Moon" Baker on the game's program cover; unfortunately, Baker sat the game out with an injured ankle.

Tulane would finish 1925 undefeated, outscoring its opponents 246 to 32.

One interesting side note about the 1925 game: it featured the first female cheerleader of a major college football team, and the first to ever perform at a college football game in the Midwest¹:

1930

When NU staged its second game vs. Tulane, the Wildcats were once again Big Ten title contenders. The game, held at Dyche Stadium, was carried live by WGN radio-- live coverage was still a novelty at the time.

The game was NU's home opener, and attendance was a bit light: the Great Depression had begun affecting attendance across college football. Just under 30,000 fans witnessed the 'Cats beat Tulane in a 14-0 shutout.

Both teams had strong lines up front, but NU's proved the tougher, containing Tulane's offense and terrorizing the Green Wave's quarterback as soon as the center snapped each ball.

NU's first touchdown came when Wildcat captain Hank Bruder intercepted a Tulane pass and took it 54 yards for a pick six.

Northwestern would go on to win a share of the Big Ten in 1930. NU was Tulane's only loss that season, and the Green Wave's first regular-season loss since 1929.

Dallas Marvil, #11, blocks for Wildcat quarterback Reb Russell, #7, against Tulane at Dyche Stadium.² Russell would be named a first-team All-American that season; Marvil would have to wait a season for that honor.

1955

Northwestern and Tulane agreed to a home-and-home series, beginning with the 1955 season. Tulane was at this point a member of the SEC (and would stay in the conference until 1965)

The 1955 game, played at Tulane's old Sugar Bowl, marked the Wildcats' only visit to Tulane until the 2025 opener. It was also the only time ever that a Big Ten team has traveled to Tulane-- until this week's game!

The 'Cats were in the middle of a dismal season-- the only season for head coach Lou Saban, who had taken over from Bob Voigts. Miami of Ohio stunned NU the previous week, and Tulane started its game with the 'Cats by scoring within the first couple of minutes. The game would be all Tulane, with the Green Wave blasting NU 21-0.

Tulane hobbled to a 5-4-1 record in 1955, with only one win coming against an opponent with a winning record. Northwestern would end up skunked, with no wins, eight losses, and a murky 7-7 tie against Illinois. Saban would leave Evanston, and the Era of Ara would begin in '56.

1956

Ara Parseghian's first two seasons at Northwestern were rebuilding years, and 1956 was a weak year for NU. It hosted Tulane for the back half of its home-and-home agreement, and fell to the Green Wave again, 13-20.

The season started with a narrow win against Iowa State, the Wildcats' first victory since 1954. But they faced a veteran Tulane team-- virtually the same set of players who defeated the 'Cats the previous year.

Northwestern had beaten Iowa State despite only completing one pass out of twelve attempts. Against Tulane, NU's passing problems could not be overcome. the 'Cats only completed two passes out of ten for a mere eighteen yards.

Tulane's winning touchdown came on the heels of NU halfback Bob McKeiver completing only his third pass-- to Green Wave running back Willie Hof. The pick led to a goal line stand, which Tulane broke through to win the game.