Gamethread: How to Watch Northwestern vs. UL Monroe

Ryan Cole

Oct 4, 2025, 19:06

Ryan Cole

Oct 4, 2025, 19:06

Updated at: Oct 4, 2025, 19:06

Northwestern is looking to finish the day above .500, playing host to UL Monroe (3-1) out of the Sun Belt. The 'Cats need this win, flat out, if they want a shot at a bowl appearance later this season. The game should be a nice reprieve from the rigorous Big Ten schedule, but Northwestern needs to be wary of overconfidence.

Quarterback Preston Stone is coming off a turnover-less performance in a 17-14 win over UCLA last weekend. He didn't make any gamebreaking plays, and the 'Cats relied heavily on the run game, but it was an improvement over the first three games of the season.

David Braun and co. will be looking for their quarterback to step up even more in this one. He's the player to watch as per usual on a beautiful day at the lakefront.

Sep 27, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; The Northwestern Wildcats celebrate their win at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

The Game

UL Monroe Warhawks (3-1) @ Northwestern Wildcats (2-2)

Location: Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium | Evanston, IL

Kickoff: Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. CT

The Opponent

UL Monroe has just one loss so far this season, and it came in a 73-0 route against Alabama. There's not much it could have done about that.

Otherwise, the Warhawks have played clean football, handling Saint Francis, UTEP and Arkansas State. They're coming off a 28-16 win over Arkansas State last weekend in which they ran 32 times for 199 total yards.

Don't be surprised if that's the kind of game they attempt to play against the Wildcats this week. The backfield features a balanced attack with Zach Palmer-Smith and Braylon McReynolds getting the majority of the touches.

Northwestern has an emerging back in Caleb Komolafe as well, and Stone's struggles have been well documented. It could be a lot of ground and pound on both sides today.

The Broadcast

The game will be televised on Big Ten Network. Jack Kizer will cover play-by-play duties with Anthony Herron as the analyst. Dannie Rogers will be on the sidelines.

The radio broadcast is with WGN 720. Dave Eanet will do play-by-play on the radio with analyst Ted Albrecht and sideline reporter Jake Saunders, who was a defensive lineman with Northwestern from 2016-2020.

The Line

Northwestern is an 11.5 point favorite over UL Monroe this afternoon, per ESPN BET. The over/under is 40.5.

Injury Report

The following players are listed as OUT for Northwestern:

DB Josh Fussell
DB Damon Walters
DB Jalen Lewis
DB Tito Williams Jr.
LB Matthew Smith
WR Tate Crane
OL Matt Keeler
OL Jace Borcherding
WR Braden Blueitt
DL Migo Jackson
DL Braxton Strong
RB Cam Porter
DL Dylan Roberts

Gamethread: How to Watch Northwestern vs. UL Monroe