Tulane Faces Army in American Conference Opener at West Point

Tulane opens its 2026 American Conference schedule against Army at Michie Stadium in West Point, New York, on Saturday, October 10, with both programs seeking momentum after uneven starts. The 2-2 Green Wave face an Army team that also holds a 2-2 record and has already played two conference games, making the matchup an important early test for both sides.

Army's rushing offense presents Tulane's biggest defensive challenge. According to the October 9 preview published by Yahoo Sports, the Black Knights average 334.2 rushing yards per game, ranking first among Football Bowl Subdivision teams. Tulane, meanwhile, has allowed 191 rushing yards per game and enters the contest ranked 125th nationally in that category, according to Underdog Dynasty.

The game also carries a significant quarterback question for Tulane coach Will Hall. Redshirt junior Kadin Semonza started the previous three games after Zeon Chriss-Gremillion opened the season as the starter, but true freshman Trace Johnson replaced Semonza during the fourth quarter of Tulane's 24-21 comeback victory over Southern Miss on September 26.

Hall has pointed to five dropped passes against Southern Miss when discussing Semonza's performance. The coach also noted that Semonza entered that game as the highest-rated quarterback in the conference according to Pro Football Focus, while leaving open the possibility of using both quarterbacks against Army.

“We’re going to play the quarterback we think gives us the best chance to win at that time,” Hall said Tuesday.

Johnson completed two of five passes for 35 yards against Southern Miss, according to Underdog Dynasty. His first series included a 29-yard completion to tight end Dawson Johnson, while running back Maurice Turner later scored on a 74-yard run that helped secure the victory.

Hall has previously used two-quarterback systems to win conference championships at Division II programs West Alabama and West Georgia. He said those experiences remain relevant but did not confirm whether Tulane would employ the same approach against Army.

“I’m not saying we’ll do that this week, and I’m not saying we won’t,” Hall said. “We used the skill sets of both of them (at West Alabama and West Georgia) to win championships. Whatever we have to do to win the game that week, we’ll do.”

Tulane also expects to benefit from potential returns at running back and wide receiver. Jamauri McClure, who missed the first four games with a foot injury, practiced Tuesday, while Hall said McClure and Turner were expected to play against Army without guaranteeing their availability.

McClure finished the 2025 season with 540 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 83 carries, according to Yahoo Sports. Turner has recorded 277 rushing yards and two touchdowns through Tulane's first four games, while Jaylin Lucas has added 238 yards and one score, according to Fubo's October 10 game preview.

Wide receiver Zycarl Lewis could also return after missing time with a lower-leg injury sustained during the season opener against Duke. Lewis recorded 24 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns last season, and Hall said his availability would strengthen Tulane's receiving group.

Army's offense revolves around quarterback Cale Hellums and its option-based running game. According to Fubo, Hellums has accumulated 301 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, alongside 337 passing yards and three touchdown passes. Running backs and slot backs Samari Howard and Zach Mundell provide additional rushing threats, while Godspower Nwawuihe's availability remained uncertain after he missed Army's game against Louisiana Tech.

Army has averaged 6.4 yards per rushing attempt, according to Underdog Dynasty, but its defense has struggled to generate pressure and force turnovers. The Black Knights surrendered 503 yards in a 31-29 loss at Louisiana Tech, while their defense ranked 89th nationally in total yards allowed entering the matchup, according to the same preview.

Tulane has also struggled to protect its quarterback, allowing 27 tackles for loss and 13 sacks through its first four games, according to Yahoo Sports. Improved blocking will be important against an Army defense that has recorded only three sacks and 12 tackles for loss, according to Underdog Dynasty.

The teams enter the contest with different conference positions. Tulane is playing its first American Conference game of the season after splitting its four nonconference games, while Army is 1-1 in league play following a narrow victory over Temple and a loss to South Florida, according to the October 9 preview.

Tulane won the previous meeting 24-17 on October 18, 2025, according to Underdog Dynasty, and leads the all-time series 14-10-1. Army is seeking to capitalize on its home advantage as the programs resume conference competition at Michie Stadium.

The game is scheduled to begin at noon Eastern time on October 10 and will air on CBS Sports Network, according to Fubo. Tulane's conference opener follows a bye week that gave the Green Wave an opportunity to recover from early-season injuries and prepare for Army's ground-focused offense.