Football’s Game-Winning Army Touchdown Named Cheez-It Crunch Play of the Week
Oct 20, 2025 | Football
DALLAS (FWAA)  – Tulane is the winner of the Cheez-It Crunch Time Play of the Week for Week 8, as quarterback Jake Retzlaff connected with wide receiver Shazz Preston on a spectacular juggling 26-yard game-winning touchdown with :27 seconds remaining in the game to secure football's 24-17 victory over Army, as selected by the All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
The Green Wave are now 3-0 in American Conference play for the fourth straight season and have won their first four home games for the first time since 2019.
After Army took a 17-10 lead with 5:54 left in the fourth quarter, Tulane rallied to tie the game on a Retzlaff scoring pass to Bryce Bohanon with just 1:54 left on the clock, capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive.
The Tulane defense then forced a three-and-out to set up the winning drive.
With just 34 seconds left, from the Army 26, Retzlaff lofted a pass toward Preston at the five-yard line on the left side of the field. Preston, draped by two defenders, got one hand on the ball and guided it toward the end before he turned around, found it and juggled it twice before securing the catch for the go-ahead points.
And the call of the catch from Corey Gloor
Retzlaff completed 22 of 29 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns and added 62 rushing yards and a rushing score on the day.
Preston tied for the team lead with five catches and led the squad with his 86 receiving yards with the game-winning score as his long reception on the day.
The 2025 season marks the first year the FWAA has presented the award under its new name, the Cheez-It Crunch Time Play of the Week, spotlighting the single most decisive play from the weekend's games.
Each winning team receives a custom Cheez-It care package delivered to its campus.
ABOUT FLORIDA CITRUS SPORTS
FCS is a not-for-profit event management organization dedicated to positively impacting the Orlando region while enhancing the quality of life in Central Florida through world-class events, including the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, the Pop-Tarts Bowl, the Florida Blue Florida Classic, the Camping World Kickoff and the FC Series. For more information, visit FloridaCitrusSports.com.
FWAA
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,100 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.
__________________________
The Tulane football team (6-1, 3-0 American) has started the 2025 season with six wins in the first seven games including a pair of wins over Power 4 opponents in the regular season for the first time since 1988. The program is also 3-0 in American play for the fourth straight season and bowl eligible for a school record fourth straight time. The program ranks fourth in the league this season in interceptions (6) and turnovers gained (11). Patrick Durkin is the American's leader in both field goals a game (2.00) and field goal percentage (1.000). Alec Clark ranks second in the conference with his average of 46.4 yards per punt. Retzlaff is placed third in the league in rushing touchdowns (0) and is 10th in rushing yards (450). He is also third in passing yards per completion (12.31). Javion White is second in the conference and is placed eighth nationally in interceptions (3).
Tulane ended the 2024 season playing in the program's third consecutive bowl game. It was also the sixth time in the last seven years that Tulane had been selected to play in a bowl game (2018 – Cure Bowl, 2019 – Armed Forces Bowl, 2020 – Famous Idaho Bowl, 2022 – Cotton Bowl, 2023 – Military Bowl and 2024 – Gasparilla Bowl). Overall, it was Tulane's 17th bowl appearance (1932 – Rose Bowl, 1935 – Sugar Bowl, 1939 – Sugar Bowl, 1970 – Liberty Bowl, 1973 – Astro Bluebonnet Bowl, 1979 – Liberty Bowl, 1980 – Hall of Fame Bowl, 1987 – Independence Bowl, 1998 – Liberty Bowl, 2002 – Hawaii Bowl, 2013 – New Orleans, 2018 – Cure Bowl, 2019 – Armed Forces Bowl, 2020 -Famous Idaho Bowl, 2022 – Cotton Bowl, 2023 – Military Bowl and 2024 – Gasparilla Bowl) with the program sporting an all-time record of 7-10 in bowl games. Tulane also made the team's third straight American Championship Game appearance in 2024.
The program sports a 38-11 record over the last four seasons.
Head Coach Jon Sumrall has been one of the most successful coaches in the country over the last four seasons with a record of 38-10, two Sun Belt Conference championships and a pair of double-digit winning streaks. He was named Sun Belt Conference Coach of Year and was twice named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year honor. Sumrall returned to Tulane after serving as the Green Wave's Co-Defensive Coordinator for three years (2012-14). In 2013, he was a crucial part of Tulane's run to the New Orleans Bowl, the program's first postseason appearance since 2002 and third since 1988. Sumrall also was named a finalist for FootballScoop Defensive Line Coach of the Year.
Next, the Tulane football team, after a bye, travels to San Antonio, Texas to take on UTSA on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 6:30 p.m. at the Alamo Dome.
TICKETS
Tickets for the football and the upcoming volleyball, men's and women's basketball seasons can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Tulane football on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
                                           - TulaneGreenWave -
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The Green Wave are now 3-0 in American Conference play for the fourth straight season and have won their first four home games for the first time since 2019.
After Army took a 17-10 lead with 5:54 left in the fourth quarter, Tulane rallied to tie the game on a Retzlaff scoring pass to Bryce Bohanon with just 1:54 left on the clock, capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive.
The Tulane defense then forced a three-and-out to set up the winning drive.
With just 34 seconds left, from the Army 26, Retzlaff lofted a pass toward Preston at the five-yard line on the left side of the field. Preston, draped by two defenders, got one hand on the ball and guided it toward the end before he turned around, found it and juggled it twice before securing the catch for the go-ahead points.
Look at this catch by @shazzpreston7!!!#RollWave 🌊 pic.twitter.com/Ufc4nUZ7lq
— Tulane Football (@GreenWaveFB) October 18, 2025
And the call of the catch from Corey Gloor
A legendary Call of the Game from @shazzpreston7!#UptownFootball pic.twitter.com/58pWs627UQ
— Tulane Football (@GreenWaveFB) October 20, 2025
Retzlaff completed 22 of 29 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns and added 62 rushing yards and a rushing score on the day.
Preston tied for the team lead with five catches and led the squad with his 86 receiving yards with the game-winning score as his long reception on the day.
The 2025 season marks the first year the FWAA has presented the award under its new name, the Cheez-It Crunch Time Play of the Week, spotlighting the single most decisive play from the weekend's games.
Each winning team receives a custom Cheez-It care package delivered to its campus.
ABOUT FLORIDA CITRUS SPORTS
FCS is a not-for-profit event management organization dedicated to positively impacting the Orlando region while enhancing the quality of life in Central Florida through world-class events, including the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, the Pop-Tarts Bowl, the Florida Blue Florida Classic, the Camping World Kickoff and the FC Series. For more information, visit FloridaCitrusSports.com.
FWAA
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,100 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.
__________________________
The Tulane football team (6-1, 3-0 American) has started the 2025 season with six wins in the first seven games including a pair of wins over Power 4 opponents in the regular season for the first time since 1988. The program is also 3-0 in American play for the fourth straight season and bowl eligible for a school record fourth straight time. The program ranks fourth in the league this season in interceptions (6) and turnovers gained (11). Patrick Durkin is the American's leader in both field goals a game (2.00) and field goal percentage (1.000). Alec Clark ranks second in the conference with his average of 46.4 yards per punt. Retzlaff is placed third in the league in rushing touchdowns (0) and is 10th in rushing yards (450). He is also third in passing yards per completion (12.31). Javion White is second in the conference and is placed eighth nationally in interceptions (3).
Tulane ended the 2024 season playing in the program's third consecutive bowl game. It was also the sixth time in the last seven years that Tulane had been selected to play in a bowl game (2018 – Cure Bowl, 2019 – Armed Forces Bowl, 2020 – Famous Idaho Bowl, 2022 – Cotton Bowl, 2023 – Military Bowl and 2024 – Gasparilla Bowl). Overall, it was Tulane's 17th bowl appearance (1932 – Rose Bowl, 1935 – Sugar Bowl, 1939 – Sugar Bowl, 1970 – Liberty Bowl, 1973 – Astro Bluebonnet Bowl, 1979 – Liberty Bowl, 1980 – Hall of Fame Bowl, 1987 – Independence Bowl, 1998 – Liberty Bowl, 2002 – Hawaii Bowl, 2013 – New Orleans, 2018 – Cure Bowl, 2019 – Armed Forces Bowl, 2020 -Famous Idaho Bowl, 2022 – Cotton Bowl, 2023 – Military Bowl and 2024 – Gasparilla Bowl) with the program sporting an all-time record of 7-10 in bowl games. Tulane also made the team's third straight American Championship Game appearance in 2024.
The program sports a 38-11 record over the last four seasons.
Head Coach Jon Sumrall has been one of the most successful coaches in the country over the last four seasons with a record of 38-10, two Sun Belt Conference championships and a pair of double-digit winning streaks. He was named Sun Belt Conference Coach of Year and was twice named a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year honor. Sumrall returned to Tulane after serving as the Green Wave's Co-Defensive Coordinator for three years (2012-14). In 2013, he was a crucial part of Tulane's run to the New Orleans Bowl, the program's first postseason appearance since 2002 and third since 1988. Sumrall also was named a finalist for FootballScoop Defensive Line Coach of the Year.
Next, the Tulane football team, after a bye, travels to San Antonio, Texas to take on UTSA on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 6:30 p.m. at the Alamo Dome.
TICKETS
Tickets for the football and the upcoming volleyball, men's and women's basketball seasons can be purchased by calling 504-861-WAVE (9283), logging on to TulaneTix.com or visiting the ticket office at the James W. Wilson Jr. Center.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Tulane football on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram. Follow Tulane Athletics on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Â
WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.
                                           - TulaneGreenWave -
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/ FootballPostgame vs Army: Head Coach Jon Sumrall | Oct. 18, 2025
Sunday, October 19
Postgame vs Army: WR Shazz Preston | Oct. 18, 2025
Sunday, October 19
Postgame vs Army: Jake Retzlaff | Oct. 18, 2025
Sunday, October 19
Postgame vs Army: LB Chris Rodgers | Oct. 18, 2025
Sunday, October 19
