Week 2 was a huge matchup for the Tulane Green Wave, as they hosted the Kansas State Wildcats out of the Big 12 at Yulman Stadium.

Looking to cement their status as one of the best G5 teams in the nation, this was the Green Wave’s chance to do that. Ultimately, they fell just short of pulling off the upset.

Tulane led by 10 at halftime, but a scoreless third quarter led to the Wildcats climbing back into the game and tying it up. An early touchdown in the fourth quarter from Darian Mensah to tight end Alex Bauman gave them a seven-point lead once again.

Kansas State responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive of their own to tie it up. They took the lead for good just over three minutes later.

At the Wildcats’ 25-yard line, a fumble occurred that was returned by the defense for a touchdown, giving the visitors a 34-27 lead, which would end up being the final score of the game.

The No. 17 ranked team got all they could handle in their visit to Yulman Stadium, but it wasn’t enough for Tulane to leave victorious. After the game, head coach Jon Sumrall did not hold back when expressing his frustrations with the job the referees did.

“I didn’t get very many good explanations in the second half with the officiating,” Sumrall said, via Guerry Smith of NOLA.com. “It left a lot to be desired. That’s probably about all I want to say. Big 12 crew, in case you were wondering.”

The biggest call of the game came with 17 seconds remaining. Mensah hit Yulkeith Brown for a touchdown, needing just the extra point to tie the game.

But, the play was nullified as Dontae Fleming drew a pass interference penalty for blocking in the end zone as Brown made the reception in the corner. Two plays later, the game was essentially over when Mensah threw an interception.

“There’s not much I can do,” Mensah said. “If they call it, they call it.”

Overall, the Green Wave were flagged nine times for 80 yards and the Wildcats were hit seven times for 55. As is customary in college football, the referee crew for an out-of-conference game is from the road team’s conference.

The loss drops Tulane’s record all-time at Yulman Stadium against power conferences to 0-5. They have another huge game next week as they will travel to Norman to face off against the Oklahoma Sooners.

Kansas State’s football team lost its share of battles against Tulane, but ultimately it was the Wildcats who won the culture war.

At least that was K-State coach Chris Klieman’s explanation after the Wildcats were outplayed for most of the game Saturday before rallying for an improbable 34-27 victory over the Green Wave at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans.

“Great resolve by our guys,” Klieman said after the Wildcats came back from a 10-point halftime deficit to take the lead and then stopped sealed it with an end zone interception to end the game. “I told the guys at the end of the game, that was a culture win.

“Discipline, toughness, commitment, be selfless, and that’s what that was today. And we beat a good Tulane team, dang good Tulane team on the road. So happy to escape with a win.”

Culture clearly was the word of the day, because through the first half especially, Tulane (1-1) had its way with the Wildcats. The Green Wave made K-State look silly on defense, racking up 291 yards before intermission against a defense that allowed just 134 for the whole game to Tennessee-Martin the week prior.

Kansas State football vs Tulane: Scouting report, prediction for Wildcats’ road game

Kansas State football eager for the chance to avenge disappointing 2022 loss to Tulane

“We made some changes. It was really we were just beating ourselves,” said super-senior defensive end and team captain Brendan Mott. “K-State was beating K-State, and if we don’t make those errors and everybody does their job, we’re a really tough team to beat, and that’s something that we were preaching about at halftime.

“And man, we had a bunch of leaders on the whole team — o-line, safeties, d-line, linebacker everywhere. It wasn’t just one guy in that locker room at halftime that was saying something. And that really shows to our culture, and I think we came out in that second half and really made some changes and got after it.”

The defense, which didn’t keep Tulane on its own side of the field once in six first-half possessions, got three straight stops in the third quarter that allowed the Wildcats to come back and tie it at 20-20. It also created the two fourth-quarter turnovers that produced the game-winning touchdown with Austin Romaine’s strip sack and Jack Fabris’ 60-yard fumble return, and then iced it on VJ Payne’s end zone interception with five seconds remaining.

Here’s where Kansas State football ranks in the two major polls after Week 1

The offense had 200 yards, two touchdowns and a field goal after intermission, with Avery Johnson completing 7 of 8 passes for 119 of his 181 yards. It was his 45-yard completion to running back DJ Giddens on a fourth down that finally got it tied at 20-20 late in the third quarter.

“We had a lot of guys step up and be vocal in the locker room and just challenge the rest of our team, and some guys stepped up and made bit plays and ultimately got us the win today,” Johnson said.

Giddens, who had another big game with 114 rushing yards and four catches for 63, said safety Marques Sigle and linebacker Austin Moore, both team captains, were particularly vocal during halftime.

“Marques Sigle, he was in my ear even before halftime,” Giddens said. “After halftime, he was pushing me to my limit. Austin Moore, when we first came in here, he got everybody’s mind right.”

And that, Klieman agreed, made all the difference. Especially with a team that did not fare well in close games last year, going 1-4 in one-possession contests.

How Kansas State football kept things clean in last week’s season opener with no penalties

“I challenged the guys at halftime,” Kileman said. I’m not upset or anything, I just said we can play better. We can play better on both sides.

“And Marques Sigle, Avery, Hadley (Panzer), Austin Moore, some of the older guys and captains, they stepped up and it was player led.”

The fact that the players took control meant everything.

“Culture is holding each other accountable,” Klieman added. “And one of our awards we gave to Avery, and Avery gave it to Marques Sigle, because Marques Sigle challenged Avery and challenged his leadership.

“That’s awesome to see, because we have kids that are holding each other to the standard that they expect. That’s a culture.”

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.

The Illinois Fighting Illini fans made sure to show support for the football team Saturday night.

In the first sellout at Memorial Stadium since 2016, the players did not disappoint.

The Illini defeated No. 19 Kansas 23-17, giving them their first victory against a ranked opponent in five years. They improved to 2-0, with a game next week against Central Michigan before opening Big Ten play the following week at Nebraska.

The Illini went ahead for good on a 1-yard touchdown run by Kaden Feagin with 9 minutes, 34 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The defense responded by holding the Jayhawks to a three-and-out on the next possession. Quarterback Luke Altmyer sealed it with a completion to Zakhari Franklin on a 3rd-and-12.

The win allowed the Illini to avenge last year’s 34-23 loss to the Jayhawks in Lawrence, Kan. That was more than enough motivation, but the matchup drew national attention because of the circumstances.

Now, Illinois can start looking toward building on the momentum. It can set the tone for the season after a disappointing end a year ago.

The Illini can almost thank defensive Xavier Scott for single-handedly helping them to a 13-10 lead against Kansas at halftime.

Scott had two interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown to put the Illini ahead at halftime. The next step is the team hoping to build off one of the biggest wins in school history.

Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Illinois Fighting Illini On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com

Follow our coverage on Facebook

X: @IlliniNowOnSI