NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Ryan Griffin passed for three touchdowns, all in the first half, as Tulane defeated Southeastern Louisiana 47-33 Saturday in the opener for both teams.

After leading 31-21 at halftime, the Green Wave broke it open in the third quarter. Matthew Bailey blocked Beau Mothe's punt and it rolled out of the end zone for a Tulane safety.

Advertisement

After receiving the Lions' free kick, Tulane drove 59 yards in six plays for a 40-21 lead. Griffin found Joe Kemp on a 43-yard pass to set up a 2-yard run by Orleans Darkwa.

Griffin, who completed 14 of 24 for 267 yards, connected for scores of 55 yards to Wilson Van Hooser and 2 yards to Trent Mackey in the first quarter, and 27 yards to Ryan Grant in the second.

Robert Kelly, who scored Tulane's final touchdown on an 11-yard fourth-quarter run, returned seven kickoffs for 213 yards, a school record.