Northwestern QB Aidan Chiles Ruled Out Against Ohio State

More unfortunate news for Northwestern, starting quarterback Aidan Chiles has officially been ruled out for Saturday’s matchup against No. 12 Ohio State. Chiles will miss his second consecutive game after sitting out last week’s 24-10 loss to Iowa with an upper-body injury.

The news is another significant setback for the Wildcats, who will once again have to prepare without their starting quarterback. Chiles had been one of the biggest reasons for Northwestern’s success this season, putting together an impressive campaign before the injury sidelined him.

Through eight games, Chiles threw for 1,898 yards, 13 touchdowns and just one interception while adding 10 rushing touchdowns. His ability to make plays with both his arm and legs gave Northwestern’s offense another dimension and made him one of the most productive quarterbacks in the Big Ten.

Losing him for a second straight week is especially disappointing considering the season he was having. Chiles had recently earned national recognition after being named to the Davey O’Brien Award Class of 2026, which recognizes 30 of the nation’s top quarterbacks.

Although Northwestern has identified the injury as an upper-body issue, there has been little additional information about its severity or a potential return timeline.

Being ruled out this early in the week means the Wildcats can move forward with their preparations without expecting him to play, but it does not necessarily indicate how much longer he will be sidelined. More information about the injury and his recovery will be worth watching in the coming days.

With Chiles unavailable, the biggest question now is who will lead Northwestern’s offense against Ohio State.

Nicco Marchiol made his first start as a Wildcat against Iowa and will likely get another opportunity under center.

Despite the loss, Marchiol showed some positives against a tough Hawkeyes defense, completing 24 of 32 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown. He also led Northwestern with 52 rushing yards, showing some of the mobility that can help the Wildcats keep their offense moving.

Marchiol was not able to lead Northwestern to a victory, but he showed enough to give the coaching staff something to build on. Having another week to prepare as the starter could also help him become more comfortable running Chip Kelly’s offense.

If Northwestern decides to make another change, redshirt sophomore Ryan Boe is listed behind Marchiol on the quarterback depth chart. However, the Wildcats have not announced any change at the position, and Marchiol remains the expected option heading into Saturday.

Northwestern has already dealt with Chiles’ absence once, but doing so for a second consecutive week against one of the nation’s top programs presents an even bigger challenge. The focus now shifts to Marchiol and the rest of the offense as the Wildcats look to respond and avoid a third straight loss.