The Wildcats end the Martin Stadium era with a statement victory.
In their final game at the lakefront and their first matchup since 1978, the Wildcats finished strong against the Colorado Buffaloes. Northwestern (2-0) defeated Colorado (2-1), 41-7, on Saturday night.
Quarterback Aidan Chiles finished the night 17-of-22 passing for 241 yards and three touchdowns while adding nine rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He was pulled with more than nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter with Northwestern holding a 38-7 lead.
Sep 19, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Aidan Chiles (0) is rushed by Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Gideon Lampron (44) during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesJoseph Himon II added four carries for 28 yards while catching three passes for 46 yards and three touchdowns.
Northwestern had a productive 423 yards of offense, along with a dominant defensive performance, with four turnovers.
A slow and sloppy start from both teams defined the opening minutes, with both sides punting on their first few drives. Colorado then gave Northwestern a major opportunity on its second possession when Micah Welch fumbled and Robert Fitzgerald recovered it, giving the Wildcats the ball at the Colorado 44-yard line. The possession was interrupted by a major injury, as the cart came out for Northwestern offensive lineman Ezomo Oratokhai.
The Wildcats capitalized after two costly Colorado penalties put them at the 2-yard line, allowing Chiles to rush for the game’s first touchdown. His two-yard score gave Northwestern a 7-0 lead with 43 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Northwestern opened the second quarter with another Colorado turnover when Braydon Brus recovered a fumble. Himon appeared to turn the opportunity into a 79-yard touchdown run, but the score was erased by a holding penalty on receiver Ricky Ahumaraeze, forcing the Wildcats to punt.
The defense responded again on Colorado’s next drive, as Braden Turner intercepted a pass and gave Northwestern possession at the Colorado 18-yard line with 8:36 remaining in the half. The Wildcats quickly capitalized, as Chiles found Himon wide open for an 18-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0.
Northwestern’s defense continued to pressure Colorado, forcing a turnover on downs with 5:18 remaining in the second quarter. The Wildcats followed with another scoring drive, capped by Chiles’ second rushing touchdown of the game on a three-yard run. Northwestern took a 21-0 lead into halftime after a dominant first half on both sides of the ball.
The Wildcats opened the second half with another defensive stop, as Kobie McKinzie sacked Julian Lewis on fourth-and-11 to force a turnover on downs at the Colorado 49-yard line. Northwestern then gave the ball back when Caleb Komolafe fumbled, allowing Colorado to cut the lead to 21-7 on a 50-yard touchdown pass to Joseph Williams with 10:24 remaining in the third quarter.
Northwestern answered immediately, as Chiles found Himon for a 25-yard touchdown after a key fourth-and-1 conversion, putting the Wildcats back up 28-7 with 6:27 left in the third.
The defense forced another turnover on downs with 4:31 remaining, and the offense quickly capitalized again. Chiles connected with Himon for a three-yard touchdown, giving Northwestern a 35-7 lead with 3:15 left in the quarter.
Kleather added a 36-yard field goal early in the fourth, and Ore Adeyi recorded Northwestern’s second interception of the game to give the Wildcats their fourth turnover. With more than nine minutes remaining, Nicco Marchiol entered for Chiles with Northwestern leading 38-7. Kleather added a 21-yard field goal with 3:06 left as the Wildcats cruised to a dominant 41-7 victory.
The Wildcats will now shift their focus to their next matchup, where they take on Indiana on Friday, Sept. 25 at 7:00 p.m. CT.
