Wake Forest's defense stiffened repeatedly in the second half in a season-opening 7-3 victory against Tulane on Thursday night at BB&T Field in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Tulane moved into Wake Forest territory with slightly more than a minute remaining. Three incomplete passes from the 47-yard line set up fourth down, when defensive tackle Shelldon Lewinson recovered a fumble near midfield.

It was the only turnover of the game.

The outcome ruined the Tulane head coaching debut of Willie Fritz.

Wake Forest quarterback Kendall Hinton, who shared duties with John Wolford, scored on a one-yard run in the first minute of the second quarter as Wake Forest took its first lead of the season.

Wolford was 9-for-17 for 79 yards while Hinton finished 3 of 4 with 17 yards.

Tulane quarterback Glen Cuiellette completed 12 of 23 passes for 124 yards. He also rushed for 54 yards on 22 carries.

Tulane scored first on Andrew DiRocco's 41-yard field goal with 10:28 remaining in the first quarter on a possession extended by a roughing-the-punter penalty.

It was the lowest season-opening point total in a Wake Forest victory in more than 65 years. The Demon Deacons were held to 175 yards of total offense.