Northwestern's Offense Showed Life in Win Over Louisiana-Monroe

Ryan Cole

Oct 5, 2025, 16:45

Ryan Cole

Oct 5, 2025, 16:45

Updated at: Oct 5, 2025, 16:45

Northwestern beating UL Monroe yesterday was the expected outcome. If it didn't happen, this piece would have been as doom and gloom as it's been all season. Instead, the 'Cats handled business, and they did so in very encouraging fashion, besting the Warhawks 42-7.

For context, while UL Monroe is a Sun Belt team, the 'Cats were only favored by 11.5 points coming into the game. They did a lot better than that.

Perhaps the most encouraging sign was the marked improvement from quarterback Preston Stone and his stable of receivers. Griffin Wilde had zero yards in the first half. Usually that would mean Northwestern was doing nothing on offense. Not yesterday.

Hayden Eligon II was involved, scoring a touchdown and racking up 80 yards. Drew Wagner was getting targets, finishing with 63 yards receiving and a score. Chase Farrell and Ricky Ahumaraeze had catches. Hunter Welcing had four receptions. And then, of course, Wilde dominated the second half and finished with 64 yards and a touchdown.

Finally, it was an all-around effort from the receivers. It wasn't Wilde against the world, and it made a huge difference for Stone and this Northwestern offense.

We've been harping on receiver issues for this entire season, and it was such a glaring problem for the offense. So, a performance like this is incredibly encouraging if they can keep it up.

"It's what you see every day in practice," Braun said of Eligon and Wagner.

The duo has slowly emerged for the 'Cats this season. Against UCLA last week, it started to become apparent that both were in line for more targets, but it didn't exactly translate to the stat sheet. Against Louisiana-Monroe, it absolutely did. Now, they have to show it against Big Ten competition.

Oct 4, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; The Northwestern Wildcats cheerleaders lead the team on the field before a game against the ULM Warhawks at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

But the early offensive struggles weren't all on the receivers, and the turn around yesterday wasn't all because they played better. Stone also had a huge role in both. Northwestern's experienced passer looked far better than anything we've seen so far yesterday.

Stone finished with 262 passing yards and three touchdown passes to go along with 49 rushing yards. Again, he needs to show it against better competition, but this was certainly a start.

No. 8 was humble in his postgame presser, though.

"It starts with Coach Lujan. We had a great game plan for this week. Then the big guys up front. If they don't bring pressure, I've got just about all day. Then the receivers came up big making plays," Stone said.

Northwestern's Offense Showed Life in Win Over Louisiana-Monroe