David Braun Praises Preston Stone After Win Over UCLA Without Turnovers

Ryan Cole

Sep 30, 2025, 23:03

Ryan Cole

Sep 30, 2025, 23:03

Updated at: Sep 30, 2025, 23:03

So far this season, Northwestern head coach David Braun has stuck by his starting quarterback Preston Stone, even when things were going very poorly. After Saturday's 17-14 win over UCLA, Braun was full of praise.

Before the season started, it was hard for fans to not be excited about Stone. The SMU transfer came in with a history of winning and playing good football at a high level. Beyond that, though, were the words of Braun. The head coach could not stop talking about how well Stone was adjusting to a new program.

The early results did not match up to those comments at all, though. Stone threw six picks in his first three games, including a nightmare performance against Tulane when he had four. He was fumbling the ball, sometimes even on plays where he wasn't touched.

It was an ugly start, and there's no getting around that. But Stone was solid on Saturday against the Bruins, passing for 115 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers won't blow anyone away, but Stone didn't turn the ball over, and he did enough to win the game alongside a powerful rushing attack.

"The most important stat line of any quarterback is your win-loss total," Braun said. "Period."

In the constant debate among pundits about whether wins are a quarterback stat, we now know where Northwestern's head coach stands. Braun needs Stone to play well enough to win. He doesn't need to set the world on fire, but he needs to control possession and let the strengths of the team, running the ball and playing defense, carry the 'Cats to victory.

Sep 27, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Preston Stone (8) looks to pass against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

As time goes on, Northwestern will need some explosive plays out of the passing game. After UL Monroe next weekend, the schedule certainly doesn't get any easier, and the offense cannot afford to be entirely one dimensional.

But playing winning football is a start for Stone. Not turning the ball over is a start. At a minimum, it's far better than what he put on tape in the first few weeks.

"Preston should be proud," Braun said in the postgame. "He played winning football."

The good news for Stone is that he won't be thrown directly back in the fire after a "get-right" game. He'll now have an opportunity to improve on his performance against UL Monroe on the lakefront. That game should be a Northwestern win, and it will double as a chance for its quarterback to really get his feet under him.

David Braun Praises Preston Stone After Win Over UCLA Without Turnovers