Toledo Overwhelms Tulane, 49–14, As Rockets Announce Themselves As League Heavyweights

Kyle Craig, The Stateline Gazette

NEW ORLEANS — For one quarter Friday night, Tulane appeared ready to trade blows. For the next three, Toledo removed any doubt.

Behind a surgical performance from quarterback Tucker Gleason and a versatile, punishing night from running back Chip Trayanum, the Rockets turned an early stalemate into a runaway, rolling past Tulane 49–14 in a statement win that underscored Toledo’s place among the league’s elite.

The teams were tied 7–7 after one quarter, with Tulane matching Toledo score-for-score and briefly controlling tempo behind quarterback Jake Retzlaff’s mobility. That balance didn’t last.

Toledo seized control midway through the second quarter as Gleason found rhythm and confidence against Tulane’s secondary. The Rockets scored 14 unanswered points before halftime to take a 21–7 lead, then detonated the game open after the break with three touchdowns in a blistering third quarter.

By the end of the third, Toledo led 42–14. The fourth quarter was procedural.

Gleason delivered one of the most complete performances of the season, completing 32 of 43 passes for 382 yards and four touchdowns. He spread the ball efficiently, avoided negative plays in the pocket, and consistently punished coverage mismatches as Toledo finished drives instead of settling.

Junior Vandeross and Trayvon Rudolph headlined the receiving corps. Vandeross hauled in eight passes for 114 yards and a touchdown, while Rudolph added seven catches for 131 yards and a score, repeatedly stretching Tulane vertically.

Tight end Jacob Peterson (five receptions, 46 yards) and receiver Eric Holley III contributed underneath, keeping the Rockets on schedule.

Trayanum delivered the knockout blows. The running back scored twice on the ground and added a receiving touchdown, finishing with 75 rushing yards on eight carries and 54 receiving yards on eight catches. His ability to punish defenses in space and between the tackles prevented Tulane from ever settling into a consistent look.

Toledo totaled 448 yards of offense and scored touchdowns on seven possessions, converting efficiency into separation.

Tulane, meanwhile, found yardage but not consistency. Retzlaff threw for 212 yards and a touchdown while adding 70 rushing yards and a score on the ground, but the Green Wave stalled repeatedly after promising starts. Despite 396 total yards, Tulane produced just 14 points, undone by missed opportunities, a costly interception, and Toledo’s ability to tighten coverage in scoring situations.

Running backs Maurice Turner (74 yards on eight carries) and Javin Gordon (40 yards rushing, 21 receiving) provided sparks, and Omari Hayes led receivers with 75 yards on six catches. None of it translated into sustained pressure once Toledo took control.

The contrast was decisive. Toledo finished drives. Tulane did not.

For the Rockets, the performance reinforced their profile as one of the league’s most complete teams — explosive through the air, flexible in personnel, and increasingly ruthless as momentum swings their way. For Tulane, the loss deepened questions about consistency against top-tier competition.

On Friday night, there was no ambiguity. Toledo was sharper, faster, and far more efficient.

The final score reflected it.

Statistics

Toledo—448 total yards (66 rushing, 382 passing).

Tulane—396 total yards (184 rushing, 212 passing).

Individual Statistics

Passing—Toledo, Gleason 32-43-382, 4 TD. Tulane, Retzlaff 17-36-212, TD, INT.

Rushing—Toledo, Trayanum 8-75, 2 TD; Gleason 5-minus 15. Tulane, Retzlaff 7-70, TD; Turner 8-74; Gordon 12-40.

Receiving—Toledo, Rudolph 7-131, TD; Vandeross 8-114, TD; Peterson 5-46; Trayanum 8-54, TD; Christian 2-19; Holley III 2-18. Tulane, Hayes 6-75; Reid 3-51; Bohanon 2-53, TD; Gordon 3-21; Pascuzzi 3-12.