Jewish quarterback Jake Retzlaff wins first game as starter at Tulane University

By AP 31 August 2025, 11:53 am

1 Edit

New Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff, a transfer from Brigham Young University, shows off the Star of David on his necklace after football practice at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Brett Martel)

Jake Retzlaff passed for a touchdown at the beginning of his Tulane debut and scored on a 69-yard run during his team’s 23-3 victory over Northwestern yesterday, as the US college football season opens.

Retzlaff won 11 games at Brigham Young University last season and gained attention as one of the few Jews on the Mormon flagship campus, where he was known by the nickname “BYJew.” But he transferred after learning he faced a suspension for violating his former school’s honor code.

In yesterday’s game, he accounted for 265 yards of offense. He passed for 152 yards and rushed for 113.

“It’s been a long offseason,” Retzlaff says. “So, I’m just so excited to be able to get on this field and play with these guys. I’ve got a great group of guys around me. I’m so fortunate.”