2025 Northwestern Wildcats football team

Last updated

2025 Northwestern Wildcats football
Northwestern Wildcats logo.svg
Conference Big Ten Conference
Record1–1 (0–0 Big Ten)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Zach Lujan (2nd season)
Defensive coordinator Tim McGarigle (2nd season)
Home stadium Martin Stadium
Wrigley Field
Seasons
  2024
2026 
2025 Big Ten Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 11 Illinois  0 0   2 0  
No. 23 Indiana  0 0   2 0  
Maryland  0 0   2 0  
Minnesota  0 0   2 0  
No. 2 Penn State  0 0   2 0  
Michigan State  0 0   1 0  
Nebraska  0 0   2 0  
No. 1 Ohio State  0 0   1 0  
No. 6 Oregon  0 0   1 0  
Purdue  0 0   1 0  
Rutgers  0 0   1 0  
USC  0 0   1 0  
Washington  0 0   1 0  
Wisconsin  0 0   1 0  
Iowa  0 0   1 1  
No. 15 Michigan  0 0   1 1  
Northwestern  0 0   1 1  
UCLA  0 0   0 1  
Championship: December 6, 2025
  • $ Conference champion
  • y Championship game participant
As of September 7, 2025
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2025 Northwestern Wildcats football team will represent Northwestern University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They will be led by third-year head coach David Braun. The team will play five of its seven home games at a temporary facility constructed at the university's Martin Stadium, with two home games being played at Wrigley Field (the home of the Chicago Cubs) while a permanent replacement for the former Ryan Field is built. [1]

Contents

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 3011:00 a.m.at Tulane * ESPNU L 3–2322,103
September 56:30 p.m. Western Illinois * BTN W 42–79,647
September 1311:00 a.m. No. 7 Oregon
FOX
September 27 UCLA
  • Martin Stadium
  • Evanston, IL
October 411:00 a.m./2:30 p.m. Louisiana–Monroe *Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Martin Stadium
  • Evanston, IL
October 1111:00 a.m./2:30/3:00 p.m.at No. 2 Penn State
October 18 Purdue
  • Martin Stadium
  • Evanston, IL
October 25at Nebraska
November 78:00 p.m.at USC FOX
November 15 No. 14 Michigan
November 22 Minnesota
  • Wrigley Field
  • Chicago, IL
November 29at No. 12 Illinois
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll - Released prior to game
  • All times are in Central time

[2] [3]

Game summaries

at Tulane

Pregame lineOver/under
Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) at Tulane Green Wave (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Wildcats30003
Green Wave7133023

at Yulman StadiumNew Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: August 30
  • Game time: 11:00 AM CDT
  • Game attendance: 22,103
  • Referee: Gregory Blum
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Matt Schumacker (play-by-play) and Dustin Fox (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • TULN – Justyn Reid 1-yard pass from Jake Retzlaff (Patrick Durkin kick), 10:27. Green Wave 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 51 yards, 2:54.
  • NU – Luke Akers 21-yard field goal, 0:40. Green Wave 7–3. Drive: 13 plays, 69 yards, 7:35.
Second quarter
  • TULN – Patrick Durkin 22-yard field goal, 11:07. Green Wave 10–3. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 4:28.
  • TULN – Patrick Durkin 41-yard field goal, 5:18. Green Wave 13–3. Drive: 11 plays, 18 yards, 5:03.
  • TULN – Jake Retzlaff 69-yard run (Patrick Durkin kick), 1:28. Green Wave 20–3. Drive: 2 plays, 87 yards, 0:24.
Third quarter
  • TULN – Patrick Durkin 31-yard field goal, 7:22. Green Wave 23–3. Drive: 16 plays, 62 yards, 7:38.
Fourth quarter

No scoring plays.

StatisticsNUTULN
First downs1923
Plays–yards63–23758–421
Rushes–yards27–7640–269
Passing yards161152
Passing: comp–att–int19–36–418–31–0
Turnovers50
Time of possession26:3933:21
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NorthwesternPassingPreston Stone19/36, 161 yards, 4 INT
RushingCam Porter6 carries, 46 yards
ReceivingGriffin Wilde6 receptions, 64 yards
TulanePassing Jake Retzlaff 18/31, 152 yards, TD
RushingJake Retzlaff10 carries, 113 yards, TD
ReceivingOmari Hayes9 receptions, 74 yards

vs Western Illinois (FCS)

Pregame lineOver/under
Western Illinois Leathernecks (FCS) (0–1) at Northwestern Wildcats (0–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Leathernecks (FCS)00077
Wildcats15761442

at Martin StadiumEvanston, IL

  • Date: September 5
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m.
  • Game attendance: 9,647
  • TV announcers (BTN): Joe Beninati (play-by-play), Matt Millen (analyst), and Kylen Mills (sideline reporter)
Game information
First quarter

11:58 – NU – Cam Porter 43 Yd Run (Luke Akers Kick). Northwestern 7–0.Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 3:02

6:44 – NU – Hayden Eligon II 5 Yd pass from Preston Stone (Lawson Albright Run for Two-Point Conversion). Northwestern 15–0.Drive: 5 plays, 73 yards, 3:09

Second quarter

0:28 – NU – Hunter Welcing 6 Yd pass from Preston Stone (Luke Akers Kick). Northwestern 22–0.Drive: 13 plays, 77 yards, 3:34

Third quarter

7:06 – NU – Luke Akers 35 Yd Field Goal. Northwestern: 25–0.Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 4:13

1:40 – NU – Luke Akers 25 Yd Field Goal. Northwestern: 28–0.Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 4:17

Fourth quarter

10:43 – NU – Drew Wagner 4 Yd pass from Preston Stone (Jack Olsen Kick). Northwestern 35–0.Drive: 10 plays, 53 yards, 5:27

7:07 – NU – Ryan Boe 58 Yd Run (Jack Olsen Kick). Northwestern 42–0.Drive: 3 plays, 67 yards, 1:32

2:47 – WIU – Christian Anaya 8 Yd pass from Cason Carswell (Antonio Chadha Kick). Northwestern 42–7.Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 4:20

StatisticsWIUNU
First downs1024
Total yards181526
Rushing yards71281
Passing yards110245
Passing: Comp–Att–Int12/27/121/29/0
Time of possession24:0635:54
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western IllinoisPassingCason Carswell 6/8, 52 yards, TD
RushingMarkell Holman 13 carries, 52 yards
ReceivingDemari Davis 3 receptions, 46 yards
NorthwesternPassing Preston Stone 21/29, 245 yards, 3 TDS
RushingCam Porter 12 carries, 91 yards, TD
ReceivingGriffin Wilde 5 receptions, 94 yards

vs Oregon

Pregame lineOver/under
Oregon Ducks (0–0) vs Northwestern Wildcats (1–1) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Ducks0
Wildcats0

at Martin Stadium • Evanston, Illinois

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (FOX):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsORENU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
OregonPassing
Rushing
Receiving
NorthwesternPassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs UCLA

Pregame lineOver/under
UCLA Bruins (0–0) vs Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Bruins0
Wildcats0

at Martin Stadium • Evanston, Illinois

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUCLANU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
UCLAPassing
Rushing
Receiving
NorthwesternPassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Louisiana–Monroe

Pregame lineOver/under
Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks (0–0) vs Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Warhawks0
Wildcats0

at Martin Stadium • Evanston, Illinois

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m./2:30 p.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsULMNU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Louisiana–MonroePassing
Rushing
Receiving
NorthwesternPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Penn State

Pregame lineOver/under
Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) at Penn State Nittany Lions (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Wildcats0
Nittany Lions0

at Beaver StadiumUniversity Park, Pennsylvania

  • Date: October 11
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m./2:30/3:00 p.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsNUPSU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NorthwesternPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Penn StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Purdue

Pregame lineOver/under
Purdue Boilermakers (0–0) vs Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Boilermakers0
Wildcats0

at Martin Stadium • Evanston, Illinois

  • Date: October 18
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsPURNU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
PurduePassing
Rushing
Receiving
NorthwesternPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Nebraska

Pregame lineOver/under
Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) at Nebraska Cornhuskers (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Wildcats0
Cornhuskers0

at Memorial StadiumLincoln, Nebraska

  • Date: October 25
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsNUNEB
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NorthwesternPassing
Rushing
Receiving
NebraskaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at USC

Pregame lineOver/under
Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) at USC Trojans (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Wildcats0
Trojans0

at Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles, California

  • Date: November 7
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m.
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers (FOX):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsNUUSC
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NorthwesternPassing
Rushing
Receiving
USCPassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Michigan (George Jewett Trophy)

Pregame lineOver/under
Michigan Wolverines (0–0) vs Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Wolverines0
Wildcats0

at Wrigley FieldChicago, Illinois

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsMICHNU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MichiganPassing
Rushing
Receiving
NorthwesternPassing
Rushing
Receiving

vs Minnesota

Pregame lineOver/under
Minnesota Golden Gophers (0–0) vs Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Golden Gophers0
Wildcats0

at Wrigley Field • Chicago, Illinois

  • Date: November 2
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsMINNNU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MinnesotaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
NorthwesternPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Illinois (rivalry)

Pregame lineOver/under
Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) at Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter12Total
Wildcats0
Fighting Illini0

at Memorial StadiumChampaign, Illinois

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time:  
  • Game weather:  
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV announcers ( ):  
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsNUILL
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
NorthwesternPassing
Rushing
Receiving
IllinoisPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Roster

2025 Northwestern Wildcats football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
QB 2Ryan Boe Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 3Frank Covey IV Redshirt.svg  So
RB 4Cam PorterGS
RB 5Caleb Komolafe Redshirt.svg  So
RB 6Joseph Himon II Redshirt.svg  Jr
QB 8 Preston Stone GS
WR 10Ricky Amumaraeze Redshirt.svg  So
QB 12Marcus RomaineFr
QB 13Gavin Frakes Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 14Dube EnongeneFr
QB 15Sean Winton Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 16Brennan SaxeFr
WR 17Griffin WildeJr
TE 18Camp Magee Redshirt.svg  So
WR 19Drew WagnerSo
WR 20Chase Ferrell Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 24Dashun Reeder Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 26Albert Kunickis III Redshirt.svg  Jr
RB 27Daniel AndersonFr
WR 35Tate CraneGS
RB 36Ronny JohnsonFr
TE 41Robby PreckelFr
TE 43Noah LaPorteFr
TE 48Tyler KielmeyerFr
OL 50Talan Chandler Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 57Hayden WrightFr
OL 60Evan BeerntsenGS
OL 61Matt KeelerGS
OL 62Ezomo Oratokhai Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 63Xavior GrayGS
OL 64Anthony Birsa Redshirt.svg  So
OL 65Jackson CarselloGS
OL 67Jace Borcherding Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 69Jack BaileyGS
OL 71Dennis Rahouski Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 72 Caleb Tiernan GS
OL 73Deuce McGuire Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 74Nick Herzog Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 75Martes LewisGS
OL 76Michael O'ConnellFr
OL 77Idrys Cotton Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 78Trey BoydFr
WR 80Hayden Eligon IISo
TE 81Chris Petrucci Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 82Braden BlueittFr
TE 83Blake Van Buren Redshirt.svg  Jr
TE 84Hunter WelcingGS
TE 85Patrick Schaller Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 86Lawson AlbrightGS
WR 87Carson Grove Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 88Alex LinesGS
WR 89Cam Russell Redshirt.svg  Fr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
DB 2Fred DavisGS
DL 4Anto Saka Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 6Robert Fitzgerald Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 7Ore AdeyiGS
DB 8Dillon Tatum Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 9Braden Turner Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 11Seth ValeriFr
DB 12Evan Smith Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 13Josh Fussell Redshirt.svg  So
LB 14Yanni KarlaftisGS
DL 15Brendan Flakes Redshirt.svg  So
DB 16J. J. Lewis Redshirt.svg  So
DB 18Garner WallaceGS
DB 20Alijah JonesFr
DB 21Damon Walters Redshirt.svg  So
DB 22Terrion Curry-Hicks Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 23Cole Shivers Redshirt.svg  So
DB 25Marquet Dorsey Jr.Fr
DB 26Jalen Lewis Redshirt.svg  So
DB 27Jack Oyola Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 28Timi Oke Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 29Jon Jon StevensFr
DB 31Tito Williams Jr. Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 32Matthew Smith Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 33Braydon Brus Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 34Payton Roth Redshirt.svg  So
DB 35Sean Martin Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 37Mac UihleinGS
LB 38Josh VeldmanFr
LB 40Jason Reynolds II Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 42Nigel Glover Redshirt.svg  So
DL 44Callen Campbell Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 45Jack Sadowsky VJr
LB 46Lincoln CreagerFr
DL 47Michael KilbainJr
LB 51Miles Crutchley Redshirt.svg  Jr
DL 52Richie HagartyGS
DL 53Tanner JumppFr
DL 54Tyler Gant Redshirt.svg  So
DL 55Dylan Roberts Redshirt.svg  So
DL 56Mason MayneFr
LB 58Nathaniel CampbellGS
DL 59Jack Trautmann Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 90Carmine BastoneGS
DL 91Aidan HubbardGS
DL 92Mason Green Redshirt.svg  So
DL 93Caden O'RourkeFr
DL 94Miguel JacksonGS
DL 95Najee StoryGS
DL 96Jonah HayesFr
DL 97Braxton Strong Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 98Landon Lauter Redshirt.svg  Fr
DL 99Troy Regovich Redshirt.svg  Fr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
P 11Luke AkersGS
LS 39Jack Florentine Redshirt.svg  Fr
LS 49Liam ReardonGS
K 82Jack OlsenGS
P 92Nikola DugandzicFr
K 94Henry Helms Redshirt.svg  So
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Harlon BarnettAssistant head coach/safeties
  • Zach LujanOffensive coordinator/quarterbacks
  • Tim McGarigleDefensive coordinator/linebackers
  • Paul Creighton – Special teams coordinator/tight ends
  • Armon BinnsWide receivers
  • Aristotle Thompson – Running backs
  • LaMarcus HicksCornerbacks
  • Bill O'Boyle – Offensive linemen
  • Christian Smith – Defensive linemen
  • D. J. Vokolek – Assistant defense linemen
  • Drew Gray – Nickels
  • Zach Martin – Assistant quarterbacks
  • Zac Krause – Assistant wide receivers
  • Jacob White – Assistant linebackers
  • Grant O'Brien – Assistant defensive backs
  • Jeff Copp – Senior analyst
  • Ryan Olson – Run game specialist/offensive assistant
  • Joe Seymour – Special teams assistant

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injury icon 2.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Roster

References

  1. "Northwestern football 'staying home' with temporary enhancements to the Lanny and Sharon Martin facility on lakefront". Northwestern Now. April 10, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  2. "2025 Football Schedule". Northwestern Athletics. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  3. "2025 Northwestern Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved December 21, 2024.