One of Northwestern's top defensive backs and a hero of the Colorado game is doubtful for this Saturday.
Northwestern football is 3-0 on the season heading into Saturday's 8 p.m. ET showdown against Curt Cignetti's defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers, and will need all the help they can get against one of the country's most talented passing attacks.
Wildcats quarterback Aidan Chiles, who transferred from Michigan State this offseason, will square off against Hoosiers star Josh Hoover, who transferred from TCU this offseason.
Unfortunately for Northwestern's Tim McGarigle-led defense, the Wildcats could be without one of their best defensive backs, a hero of their 41-7 win over Colorado, based on an injury update released on Tuesday.
Nov 15, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Braden Turner (9) tackles Michigan Wolverines running back Jordan Marshall (23) during the first half at Wrigley Field. Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images Braden Turner Doubtful for Indiana Game
Northwestern defensive back Braden Turner was listed as doubtful with an undisclosed injury for Saturday night's game at Memorial Stadium against the Hoosiers according to the official Big Ten injury report.
Turner was one of the stars of Northwestern's valiant defensive effort against the Buffaloes last Saturday. He finished with eight tackles and a key interception that he returned 22 yards into Colorado territory.
Turner's interception helped turn the tide in a 7-0 game with the Buffaloes attempting to drive into Northwestern's side of the field. He stepped in front of a Julian Lewis pass meant for rising junior wide receiver Joseph Williams and made a big play.
The Wildcats' injured cornerback Turner is a redshirt senior from Mobile, Alabama. He has recorded 15 tackles and three pass break-ups so far this year. If he can't play against the Hoosiers, Brenden Deasfernandes, a 6-foot-2 graduate student from Central Michigan, could see more playing time, among other NU backups.
Hoosiers' Passing Game Looks Strong
The Hoosiers' passing game is loaded with talent including Hoover, who is doing his best Fernando Mendoza impersonation so far this season with 649 yards passing, 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions and a completion percentage of nearly 73%.
The Hoosiers have several prime targets in the passing game including Charlie Becker, a 6-foot-2 junior who has received plenty of NFL Draft hype so far, former Michigan State star Nick Marsh, who transferred in this offseason, and Tyler Morris, a key part of Michigan's 2023-24 national championship run.
Becker is the star with 272 yards and six touchdowns while Marsh and fellow receivers Shazz Preston and Davion Chandler are all big play threats with per-catch averages of over 15 yards. Morris is a solid possession receiver, a role he's played dating back to his days with the Wolverines.
Northwestern's defensive back depth could be tested early and often against the Hoosiers, which could lead to a shootout in Bloomington. Coach David Braun's team's best hope might be to possess the football for long periods of time with creative running and passing play balance on offense. The Hoosiers' passing game looks as good as any other in the Big Ten, but Northwestern has enough talent to make life difficult on Hoover and company at times, even without Turner.
