The Green Wave (2-5, 1-3 American Athletic Conference) faced the Navy-Marine Corps (5-1, 3-0 AAC) for the first time since 2005 on Saturday. In the first time the teams competed as members of the American Athletic Conference, Tulane fell to the Navy 31-14 in a performance that was marked by incredible defensive effort but errors and frustration on the offensive side.

Heading into the game Saturday, Navy’s triple option offense averaged 335.4 rushing yards per game. The Green Wave’s defense marked a standout performance as it contained the No. 3 rushing offense in the nation to just 133 yards on the ground.

“It was probably the most talented defensive line we’ve played, and that includes Notre Dame,” Navy running game coordinator Ashley Ingram said in a Capital Gazette article. “We told our offensive line that this was going to be one of the best defensive fronts they’ve seen and I think it was. There are some guys in that front seven that can play in the NFL.”

Tulane’s defense posted 11 tackles for loss on Saturday afternoon, the second most in a game this season. Tulane totaled 12 tackles against UCF on Oct. 3, and 12 against Temple one week later on Oct. 10.

Tulane head coach Curtis Johnson, though disappointed with the outcome, commended the Green Wave’s defense for its strong defensive plays.

“Navy is a tough team to prepare for,” Johnson said. “Today we were able to do some different things, but overall I thought our defense played well.”

Offensively, sophomore wide receiver Teddy Veal led the Wave through the air and caught six passes for 59 yards, counting the fifth game this season in which Veal marked five or more catches. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Tanner Lee, who returned to play after a concussion sidelined him the previous week, finished the day with 205 yards on 22-31 passing.

The Wave’s offense made several promising plays in the game, but missed opportunities and errors hindered the Wave from securing the victory against the Midshipmen.

Several mistakes by the Green Wave gave Navy the extra momentum it needed to secure the win despite its inability to get the running game started against the Wave’s defense.

Early in the fourth quarter, as the Wave still trailed 17-7, Tulane compiled a 13-play, 72-yard drive to put them in striking position at third and one at the Navy two-yard line. Tulane attempted a quarterback sneak on the third down, but Navy stripped Lee of the ball and forced the turnover that killed the Wave’s opportunity to put the score within just a field goal.

Navy forced three turnovers, all in the fourth quarter as Navy assertively took control of the game; a fumble later in the fourth quarter allowed the Midshipmen to score a 24-yard touchdown with only four minutes left of play, securing its final points of the game.

“You want to finish the game clean,” Johnson said. “You’re down on the one-yard line and I thought it was a first down. I didn’t see the turnover. Then we had the late interception. It’s unfortunate, because that at least gives you a chance to score some points. It was very unfortunate for us.”

The Green Wave will have a chance to redeem itself next weekend as it faces off against its fourth nationally-ranked opponent in No. 18 Memphis, 6 p.m. Oct. 31 in Memphis, Tennessee.