Who Are the Announcers for Northwestern vs Tulane Week 1 College Football Game?

The pageantry of Week 1 rolls on. And tucked into Saturday’s noon slate is a matchup you haven’t seen in your lifetime. Literally. Northwestern and Tulane haven’t met on the football field since 1956, when Elvis Presley was still topping the charts and Bear Bryant was just warming up in Tuscaloosa. Nearly 70 years later, the Wildcats and the Green Wave finally dust off an old series, with Tulane holding the bragging rights at 3-1 all-time. But before we dive into the teams, let’s talk voices. 

Who are the voices of Northwestern vs. Tulane?

The voice of Saturday’s showdown belongs to Matt Schumacker and Dustin Fox, ESPN’s duo. Northwestern vs Tulane will kick off at noon ET on August 30 inside a packed Yulman Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. The game will be televised on ESPNU. 

Matt Schumacker

If you’ve tuned into ESPN lately, chances are you’ve heard Matt Schumacker’s crisp delivery. A St. Louis native with a Butler degree and a track and field background, he’s carved a lane calling just about every sport imaginable from football, hoops, and baseball. Before his ESPN break-in 2024, he was the familiar voice bouncing between FOX Sports and Big Ten Network. That versatility matters in a game like this with two programs with two contrasting stories and one big stage. And the announcer has the knack for turning a mid-tier non-conference tilt into a can’t-miss theater.

Dustin Fox 

Beside Matt Schumacker sits Dustin Fox, whose path to the booth runs straight through the Horseshoe. He was a four-year starter at Ohio State, captain of the 2002 national title team, and an NFL defensive back with the Vikings, Eagles, and Bills. These days, you’ll find him dissecting games on ESPN, co-hosting Browns shows, and living in the Cleveland radio booth. He’s one of those rare analysts who mixes locker-room credibility with the blunt honesty of a radio host.

Northwestern’s outlook

The Wildcats were exposed in 2024, finishing 4-8 with one of the Big Ten’s worst scoring offenses. That’s why Preston Stone’s arrival is so fascinating. The former SMU star threw for over 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2023 before a torn ACL derailed his career. Now, he gets a fresh start in purple. The supporting cast is green, but David Braun’s defense, led by sack artist Aidan Hubbard and linebacker Mac Uihlein, returns enough muscle to keep games close. Still, this opener will say a lot. 

Tulane’s outlook

Jon Sumrall wasted no time proving Tulane could reload. His debut year brought another AAC Championship berth, a gritty 7-1 league record, and the kind of fight that gave Kansas State and Oklahoma headaches. Army spoiled their title shot, but the Green Wave still walk into 2025 with teeth. All-AAC linebacker Sam Howard leads a defense that returns five of its top seven tacklers. The offense is retooled behind transfer QBs, but the line is anchored by Derrick Graham and Shadre Hurst, both all-league selections. 

Tulane enters Saturday’s clash as the -5.5 favorite, boasting home-field momentum and AAC pedigree, while Northwestern embraces the underdog role with Preston Stone and a defense eager to punch above its weight. With Matt Schumacker and Dustin Fox calling the action, this long-dormant matchup could turn from a quiet opener into one of Week 1’s sneaky statement games.