Tulane appeared headed toward another disappointing defeat Friday night. Instead, the Green Wave produced one of their most dramatic comebacks of the 2026 football season.

Trailing Charlotte by 10 points in the fourth quarter, Tulane rallied to force overtime before securing a 38-31 victory over the 49ers.

The win improved Tulane to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in American Conference play.

And it required nearly everything the Green Wave had left.

Charlotte took a 31-21 lead with 10:52 remaining when Derrick Eley scored on a one-yard touchdown run.

For a Tulane offense that had struggled with consistency throughout the season, overcoming a double-digit deficit on the road represented a significant challenge.

But the Green Wave refused to fold.

Cooper Helmke connected on a 27-yard field goal to reduce the deficit to seven points.

Then quarterback Trace Johnson orchestrated the possession that saved Tulane’s night.

With just 10 seconds remaining in regulation, Johnson connected with Bredell Richardson on an 11-yard touchdown pass.

The extra point tied the game at 31 and sent the contest into overtime.

Tulane’s offense wasted little time capitalizing on its second chance.

Short-yardage quarterback Dagan Bruno powered into the end zone on fourth-and-goal, giving the Green Wave their first lead since the opening half.

Charlotte had an opportunity to respond, but Tulane’s defense finally delivered the stop it needed.

The 49ers reached first-and-goal at the four-yard line before gaining just one yard on two rushing attempts.

Quarterback Conner Harrell then threw consecutive incompletions, sealing Tulane’s comeback victory.

Johnson finished 28 of 36 passing for 284 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Running back Johnnie Daniels contributed 99 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while TJ Smith provided a massive special-teams spark with a 95-yard kickoff return for a score.

Charlotte’s Henry Rutledge rushed for 121 yards, highlighting the defensive issues Tulane still needs to address.

The Green Wave surrendered 31 points to a team that entered the contest with just one victory.

But after a season marked by inconsistency, Tulane finally found a way to finish a close game.

The Green Wave return home to face Tulsa on November 7, hoping Friday’s comeback becomes the turning point in their season.

For now, Tulane can celebrate a much-needed victory.

It certainly didn’t come easily.