2025 Northwestern Wildcats football team

2025 Northwestern Wildcats football
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Record	5–2 (3–1 Big Ten)
Head coach	David Braun (3rd season)
Offensive coordinator	Zach Lujan (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Tim McGarigle (2nd season)
Base defense	4–3
Home stadium	Martin Stadium Wrigley Field
Seasons ←  2024 2026 →

2025 Big Ten Conference football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 2 Indiana		4	–	0					7	–	0
No. 1 Ohio State		4	–	0					7	–	0
No. 6 Oregon		3	–	1					6	–	1
Northwestern		3	–	1					5	–	2
USC		3	–	1					5	–	2
Iowa		3	–	1					5	–	2
No. 25 Michigan		3	–	1					5	–	2
Minnesota		3	–	1					5	–	2
UCLA		3	–	1					3	–	4
No. 23 Illinois		2	–	2					5	–	2
Nebraska		2	–	2					5	–	2
Washington		2	–	2					5	–	2
Maryland		1	–	3					4	–	3
Michigan State		0	–	4					3	–	4
Penn State		0	–	4					3	–	4
Rutgers		0	–	4					3	–	4
Purdue		0	–	4					2	–	5
Wisconsin		0	–	4					2	–	5
Championship: December 6, 2025
$ – Conference champion y – Championship game participant As of October 19, 2025 Rankings from AP Poll

The 2025 Northwestern Wildcats football team represents Northwestern University as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They are 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]

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30	11:00 a.m.	at Tulane *	Yulman Stadium New Orleans, LA	ESPNU	L 3–23	22,103
September 5	6:30 p.m.	Western Illinois *	Martin Stadium Evanston, IL	BTN	W 42–7	9,647
September 13	11:00 a.m.	No. 4 Oregon	Martin Stadium Evanston, IL ( Big Noon Kickoff )	FOX	L 14–34	12,023
September 27	2:30 p.m.	UCLA	Martin Stadium Evanston, IL	BTN	W 17–14	12,023
October 4	2:30 p.m.	Louisiana–Monroe *	Martin Stadium Evanston, IL	BTN	W 42–7	12,023
October 11	2:30 p.m.	at Penn State	Beaver Stadium University Park, PA	FS1	W 22–21	108,121
October 18	2:00 p.m.	Purdue	Martin Stadium Evanston, IL	BTN	W 19–0	12,023
October 25	11:00 a.m.	at Nebraska	Memorial Stadium Lincoln, NE	FS1
November 7	8:00 p.m.	at USC	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, CA	FOX
November 15		Michigan	Wrigley Field Chicago, IL (George Jewett Trophy)
November 22		Minnesota	Wrigley Field Chicago, IL
November 29		at Illinois	Gies Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL (rivalry)
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll - Released prior to game All times are in Central time Source: [2] [3]

Game summaries

at Tulane

See also: 2025 Tulane Green Wave football team

Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) at Tulane Green Wave (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wildcats	3	0	0	0	3
Green Wave	7	13	3	0	23

at Yulman Stadium • New 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.

Statistics	NU	TULN
First downs	19	23
Plays–yards	63–237	58–421
Rushes–yards	27–76	40–269
Passing yards	161	152
Passing: comp–att–int	19–36–4	18–31–0
Turnovers	5	0
Time of possession	26:39	33:21

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Northwestern	Passing	Preston Stone	19/36, 161 yards, 4 INT
	Rushing	Cam Porter	6 carries, 46 yards
	Receiving	Griffin Wilde	6 receptions, 64 yards
Tulane	Passing	Jake Retzlaff	18/31, 152 yards, TD
	Rushing	Jake Retzlaff	10 carries, 113 yards, TD
	Receiving	Omari Hayes	9 receptions, 74 yards

vs Western Illinois (FCS)

See also: 2025 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team

Western Illinois Leathernecks (FCS) (0–1) at Northwestern Wildcats (0–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Leathernecks (FCS)	0	0	0	7	7
Wildcats	15	7	6	14	42

at Martin Stadium • Evanston, 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

Statistics	WIU	NU
First downs	10	24
Total yards	181	526
Rushing yards	71	281
Passing yards	110	245
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	12–27–1	21–29–0
Time of possession	24:06	35:54

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Western Illinois	Passing	Cason Carswell	6/8, 52 yards, TD
	Rushing	Markell Holman	13 carries, 52 yards
	Receiving	Demari Davis	3 receptions, 46 yards
Northwestern	Passing	Preston Stone	21/29, 245 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Cam Porter	12 carries, 91 yards, TD
	Receiving	Griffin Wilde	5 receptions, 94 yards

vs No. 4 Oregon

See also: 2025 Oregon Ducks football team

No. 4 Oregon Ducks (2–0) at Northwestern Wildcats (1–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 4 Ducks	7	10	14	3	34
Wildcats	0	0	0	14	14

at Martin Stadium • Evanston, Illinois

• Date: September 13
• Game time: 11:00 a.m.
• Game weather:  
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV announcers (FOX): Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (analyst), and Jenny Taft (sideline reporter)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	ORE	NU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Oregon	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Northwestern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs UCLA

See also: 2025 UCLA Bruins football team

UCLA Bruins (0–3) vs Northwestern Wildcats (1–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bruins	0	3	3	8	14
Wildcats	3	14	0	0	17

at Martin Stadium • Evanston, Illinois

• Date: September 27
• Game time: 2:30 p.m.
• Game weather: Sunny, • Temperature: 83 °F (28 °C) • Wind: NE at 6 miles per hour (9.7 km/h)
• Game attendance: 12,023
• Referee: Francisco Villar
• TV announcers (BTN): Jeff Levering (play-by-play), Jake Butt (analyst), and Brooke Fletcher (sideline reporter)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	UCLA	NU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
UCLA	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Northwestern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs Louisiana–Monroe

See also: 2025 Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football team

Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks (3–1) vs Northwestern Wildcats (2–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Warhawks	7	0	0	0	7
Wildcats	7	11	21	3	42

at Martin Stadium • Evanston, Illinois

• Date: October 4
• Game time: 2:30 p.m.
• Game weather:  
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV announcers (BTN): Jack Kizer (play-by-play), Anthony Herron (analyst), and Dannie Rogers (sideline reporter)

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	ULM	NU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Louisiana–Monroe	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Northwestern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Penn State

See also: 2025 Penn State Nittany Lions football team

Northwestern Wildcats (3–2) at Penn State Nittany Lions (3–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wildcats	3	10	0	9	22
Nittany Lions	0	14	0	7	21

at Beaver Stadium • University Park, Pennsylvania

• Date: October 11
• Game time: 2:30 p.m.
• Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C) • Mostly cloudy
• Referee: Mark Kluczynski
• TV announcers (FS1): Connor Onion (play-by-play) and Mark Helfrich (color commentator)
• ESPN box score

Game information

First quarter NU – Jack Olsen 27-yard field goal, 2:51. Wildcats 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 7:23. Second quarter PSU – Kaytron Allen 11-yard run (Ryan Barker kick), 11:40. Nittany Lions 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 87 yards, 6:11. NU – Griffin Wilde 29-yard pass from Preston Stone (Jack Olsen kick), 7:14. Wildcats 10–7. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:26. PSU – Nicholas Singleton 2-yard run (Ryan Barker kick), 1:19. Nittany Lions 14–10. Drive: 9 plays, 26 yards, 4:20. NU – Jack Olsen 34-yard field goal, 0:03. Nittany Lions 14–13. Drive: 12 plays, 59 yards, 1:16. Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter NU – Jack Olsen 41-yard field goal, 14:08. Wildcats 16–14. Drive: 4 plays, -14 yards, 1:22. PSU – Drew Allar 1-yard run (Ryan Barker kick), 10:50. Nittany Lions 21–16. Drive: 6 plays, 91 yards, 3:14. NU – Caleb Komolafe 9-yard run (run failed), 4:51. Wildcats 22–21. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:54.

Statistics	NU	PSU
First downs	23	13
Plays–yards	68–282	51–274
Rushes–yards	42–119	31–137
Passing yards	163	137
Passing: comp–att–int	17–26–0	13–20–1
Time of possession	34:46	25:14

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Northwestern	Passing	Preston Stone	17/26, 163 yards, TD
	Rushing	Caleb Komolafe	19 carries, 72 yards TD
	Receiving	Griffin Wilde	7 receptions, 94 yards, TD
Penn State	Passing	Drew Allar	13/20, 137 yards, INT
	Rushing	Kaytron Allen	16 carries, 90 yards, TD
	Receiving	Devonte Ross	7 receptions, 115 yards

vs Purdue

See also: 2025 Purdue Boilermakers football team

Purdue Boilermakers (2–4) vs Northwestern Wildcats (4–2) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Boilermakers			0
Wildcats			0

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

Statistics	PUR	NU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Purdue	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Northwestern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Nebraska

See also: 2025 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team

Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) at Nebraska Cornhuskers (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Wildcats			0
Cornhuskers			0

at Memorial Stadium • Lincoln, Nebraska

• Date: October 25
• Game time:  
• Game weather:  
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV announcers ( ):  

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	NU	NEB
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Northwestern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Nebraska	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at USC

See also: 2025 USC Trojans football team

Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) at USC Trojans (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Wildcats			0
Trojans			0

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum • Los 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

Statistics	NU	USC
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Northwestern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
USC	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs Michigan (George Jewett Trophy)

See also: 2025 Michigan Wolverines football team and George Jewett Trophy

Michigan Wolverines (0–0) vs Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Wolverines			0
Wildcats			0

at Wrigley Field • Chicago, Illinois

• Date: November 15
• Game time:  
• Game weather:  
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV announcers ( ):  

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	MICH	NU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Michigan	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Northwestern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs Minnesota

See also: 2025 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team

Minnesota Golden Gophers (0–0) vs Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Golden Gophers			0
Wildcats			0

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

Statistics	MINN	NU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Minnesota	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Northwestern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Illinois (rivalry)

See also: 2025 Illinois Fighting Illini football team and Illinois–Northwestern football rivalry

Northwestern Wildcats (0–0) at Illinois Fighting Illini (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	Total
Wildcats			0
Fighting Illini			0

at Gies Memorial Stadium • Champaign, Illinois

• Date: November 29
• Game time:  
• Game weather:  
• Game attendance:  
• Referee:  
• TV announcers ( ):  

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	NU	ILL
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Northwestern	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Illinois	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Roster

2025 Northwestern Wildcats football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class QB 2 Ryan Boe  Fr WR 3 Frank Covey IV  So RB 4 Cam Porter GS RB 5 Caleb Komolafe  So RB 6 Joseph Himon II  Jr QB 8 Preston Stone GS WR 10 Ricky Amumaraeze  So QB 12 Marcus Romaine Fr QB 13 Gavin Frakes  Jr WR 14 Dube Enongene Fr QB 15 Sean Winton  Fr WR 16 Brennan Saxe Fr WR 17 Griffin Wilde Jr TE 18 Camp Magee  So WR 19 Drew Wagner So WR 20 Chase Ferrell  Fr RB 24 Dashun Reeder  Fr RB 26 Albert Kunickis III  Jr RB 27 Daniel Anderson Fr WR 35 Tate Crane GS RB 36 Ronny Johnson Fr TE 41 Robby Preckel Fr TE 43 Noah LaPorte Fr TE 48 Tyler Kielmeyer Fr OL 50 Talan Chandler  Fr OL 57 Hayden Wright Fr OL 60 Evan Beerntsen GS OL 61 Matt Keeler GS OL 62 Ezomo Oratokhai  Fr OL 63 Xavior Gray GS OL 64 Anthony Birsa  So OL 65 Jackson Carsello GS OL 67 Jace Borcherding  Fr OL 69 Jack Bailey GS OL 71 Dennis Rahouski  Fr OL 72 Caleb Tiernan GS OL 73 Deuce McGuire  Jr OL 74 Nick Herzog  Jr OL 75 Martes Lewis GS OL 76 Michael O'Connell Fr OL 77 Idrys Cotton  Fr OL 78 Trey Boyd Fr WR 80 Hayden Eligon II So TE 81 Chris Petrucci  Jr WR 82 Braden Blueitt Fr TE 83 Blake Van Buren  Jr TE 84 Hunter Welcing GS TE 85 Patrick Schaller  Fr TE 86 Lawson Albright GS WR 87 Carson Grove  Fr TE 88 Alex Lines GS WR 89 Cam Russell  Fr	Defense Pos. # Name Class DB 2 Fred Davis GS DL 4 Anto Saka  Jr DB 6 Robert Fitzgerald  Jr DB 7 Ore Adeyi GS DB 8 Dillon Tatum  Jr DB 9 Braden Turner  Jr DB 11 Seth Valeri Fr DB 12 Evan Smith  Jr DB 13 Josh Fussell  So LB 14 Yanni Karlaftis GS DL 15 Brendan Flakes  So DB 16 J. J. Lewis  So DB 18 Garner Wallace GS DB 20 Alijah Jones Fr DB 21 Damon Walters  So DB 22 Terrion Curry-Hicks  Fr DB 23 Cole Shivers  So DB 25 Marquet Dorsey Jr. Fr DB 26 Jalen Lewis  So DB 27 Jack Oyola  Jr DB 28 Timi Oke  Fr DB 29 Jon Jon Stevens Fr DB 31 Tito Williams Jr.  Fr LB 32 Matthew Smith  Fr LB 33 Braydon Brus  Jr LB 34 Payton Roth  So DB 35 Sean Martin  Fr LB 37 Mac Uihlein GS LB 38 Josh Veldman Fr LB 40 Jason Reynolds II  Jr LB 42 Nigel Glover  So DL 44 Callen Campbell  Fr LB 45 Jack Sadowsky V Jr LB 46 Lincoln Creager Fr DL 47 Michael Kilbain Jr LB 51 Miles Crutchley  Jr DL 52 Richie Hagarty GS DL 53 Tanner Jumpp Fr DL 54 Tyler Gant  So DL 55 Dylan Roberts  So DL 56 Mason Mayne Fr LB 58 Nathaniel Campbell GS DL 59 Jack Trautmann  Fr DL 90 Carmine Bastone GS DL 91 Aidan Hubbard GS DL 92 Mason Green  So DL 93 Caden O'Rourke Fr DL 94 Miguel Jackson GS DL 95 Najee Story GS DL 96 Jonah Hayes Fr DL 97 Braxton Strong  Fr DL 98 Landon Lauter  Fr DL 99 Troy Regovich  Fr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class P 11 Luke Akers GS LS 39 Jack Florentine  Fr LS 49 Liam Reardon GS K 82 Jack Olsen GS P 92 Nikola Dugandzic Fr K 94 Henry Helms  So	Head coach David Braun Coordinators/assistant coaches Harlon Barnett – Assistant head coach/safeties Zach Lujan – Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks Tim McGarigle – Defensive coordinator/linebackers Paul Creighton – Special teams coordinator/tight ends Armon Binns – Wide receivers Aristotle Thompson – Running backs LaMarcus Hicks – Cornerbacks 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 Injured 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.