Tulane loses opener 17-3 at Duke

Tulane opened 2026 with a 17-3 defeat at Duke, producing 258 total yards, 54 rushing yards, a 3-for-14 third-down rate, and 15 penalties for 104 yards. Duke's line and Nate Sheppard controlled the game, while Tulane managed no sacks and struggled with execution; the South Alabama response is now the central storyline.