The Wildcats are looking for a bounce-back performance after getting embarrassed by Tulane in their season-opener last week. Quarterback Preston Stone turned the ball over five times — including a career-high four interceptions — as Northwestern was stifled in a 23-3 defeat.
On the defensive end, the 'Cats weren't much better, allowing 268 yards to the Green Wave on the ground alone. With one of the most difficult schedules in the country coming up, Northwestern needs to capitalize on an opportunity against an FCS foe to gain momentum.
Northwestern returns home Friday for a match with Western Illinois under the lights, when the Wildcats will aim to play much better in front of their home fans. Here's exactly how fans can watch, listen and follow along with the game as NU attempts to win its first game of the season:
The Game
Western Illinois Leathernecks (0-1) @ Northwestern Wildcats (0-1)
Location: Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium | Evanston, IL
Kickoff: Friday, September 5, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. ET
The Opponent
Northwestern head coach David Braun is familiar with Western Illinois head coach Joe Davis, who is entering his second year at the helm. Davis was the offensive coordinator at Northern Iowa in 2015, and Braun joined the Panthers' coaching staff shortly after Davis' departure. The two were intertwined on the recruiting trail at the FCS level and Braun said he and Davis used to "work the showcase together" as opposing coaches.
Western Illinois has faced Northwestern only once before. The Wildcats beat the Leathernecks, 24-7, in 2014.
The Broadcast
Big Ten Network is set to televise the Wildcats' home opener. Lisa Byington (Play-By-Play) and Brock Vereen (Color) will be on the call, while former Northwestern softball player Sydney Supple is the broadcast's sideline reporter.
The game will be broadcast by WGN Radio 720 AM as well, with Dave Eanet (Play-By-Play) and Ted Albrecht (Color) calling the contest. Former Northwestern defensive lineman Jake Saunders, who played with the Wildcats from 2016 to 2020, is joining WGN as the sideline reporter this season.
The Line
Northwestern is a 31-point favorite over the Leathernecks, per ESPN BET. The game has an over/under of 49.5 and ESPN's FPI metric gives the Wildcats a 97.9% chance of victory.
Injury Report
The following players are listed as OUT for Northwestern against Western Illinois:
- WR Frank Covey IV
- DB Damon Walters
- TE Tyler Kielmeyer
- LB Nathaniel Campbell
- OL Jace Borcherding
- OL Jack Bailey
- DL Caden O'Rourke
- DL Migo Jackson
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