3 Takeaways: NU's Offensive Weapons Finally Show Up in 42-7 Win vs. ULM

Ryan Cole

Oct 4, 2025, 22:57

Ryan Cole

Oct 4, 2025, 22:57

Updated at: Oct 4, 2025, 22:57

Northwestern (3-2) had a fun, blowout victory today by a score of 42-7 against Louisiana-Monroe.

Things looked a bit rough early in the first quarter of this game, though, after the Wildcats surrendered an opening drive score to ULM. Quarterback Aidan Armenia unleashed a strike to Nic Trujillo for a 34-yard touchdown reception.

Then, on Northwestern's first offensive drive, the first two plays put them out of sequence. Preston Stone almost threw another pick on the first offensive play of the game. Then, running back Caleb Komolafe lost four yards on his first rush attempt. The 'Cats called timeout.

From there, everything turned around. Stone converted the third-and-long, something he was fantastically efficient at doing today, and Northwestern never looked back.

There are still some things to clean up, but this was probably Stone's best performance of the season. There was a lot more to like offensively than in previous contests. Here are three takeaways from the win:

Griffin Wilde finally got help

In the first half, Griffin Wilde had zero receiving yards. Preston Stone, meanwhile, had arguably his best half of football in a Northwestern uniform and threw for 172 yards and a touchdown. For Wildcat fans that have watched the previous four games, those number feel almost fake.

Wilde has been Stone's only reliable target for this entire season. Today, he finally got some help. Hayden Eligon II had a breakout performance, finishing with three catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. Drew Wagner was also involved, finishing with 63 yards and a score.

The 'Cats "by committee" approach to WR2 is finally starting to produce results. They don't need the same wideout to show up every Saturday, but they need someone to show up alongside Wilde each week. It makes the offense that much more dynamic and more difficult to predict.

Wilde got some much needed assistance in the first half, and he came to play in the second half, finishing the game with 64 yards and a score.

Oct 4, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Hayden Eligon II (80) catches a touchdown pass against the ULM Warhawks during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

The defensive line buckled down

Louisiana-Monroe's most obvious measurable strength coming into this game was its rushing attack. Early on, especially on the opening drive, it looked like the Warhawks' Braylon McReynolds was primed for a strong game. He was slashing through the defensive front with ease on the first quarter.

The pass rush, too, wasn't getting home early. Anto Saka broke through the line a couple times, but he couldn't wrap up Armenia.

But the 'Cats flipped the script as the game went on. UL Monroe winded up with 87 rushing yards in the game, 49 of those coming from McReynolds. Both Saka and Aidan Hubbard also made important sacks at big moments in the game.

The deep ball was forced early on

The 'Cats were wasting plays at the beginning of this game, heaving up contested balls to receivers running go routes up the sideline. On the first three drives of the game, Preston Stone had four miserable looking deep shots that were either close to being picked, or not close to being caught by anybody at all.

When the receivers are open down field, Stone can hit them. The second touchdown of the game came on a pass to Hayden Eligon II that was perfectly placed, but Eligon had beaten his man by a lot. It was an easy read, and Stone made a good throw.

The problem is, that's rare for Northwestern. This receiver room is shallow, and while it had a good game today, this was UL Monroe, not a Big Ten team.

The 'Cats will likely need to get back to establishing the run and taking advantage of an emerging young back in Caleb Komolafe. This was an encouraging performance from Northwestern's receivers, for sure, but the early deep shots were really poor and could have hurt more against a better team.

3 Takeaways: NU's Offensive Weapons Finally Show Up in 42-7 Win vs. ULM