Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, October 25
Lincoln, Neb.
11 am CT
Northwestern
at
Nebraska
Northwestern Seeks Fifth Straight Win at Nebraska
10/24/2025 10:09:00 AM | Football
LINCOLN, Neb. — Riding a four-game winning streak, Northwestern will face Nebraska on Saturday, October 25 in Memorial Stadium at 11 a.m. CT.
Last time out, the Wildcats (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) established a physical rushing attack and put forth a dominant defensive effort en route to a 19-0 victory over Purdue. Graduate student quarterback Preston Stone tossed a pair of touchdown passes, and redshirt junior running back Joseph Himon II logged a game-high 87 yards on 22 carries. The result marked the program's first shutout since 2017.
The Cornhuskers (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) entered their last matchup ranked No. 25, but ultimately fell at Minnesota, 24-6. UNL gave up nine sacks in the loss.
"Excited to get back on the field with this group, with an incredible challenge ahead of us," Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun said. "Coach [Matt] Rhule has done an exceptional job at Nebraska. There's no one better in the country in terms of teaching fundamentals."
Saturday's game will be the teams' first meeting since the 2023 season, when Northwestern fell 17-9 on the road. The squads have split their last four matchups dating back to 2020.
The Wildcats are seeking their first win in Lincoln since defeating the Cornhuskers 31-24 in overtime on Nov. 4, 2017.
The game will air on FS1. Connor Onion (play-by-play) and Mark Helfrich (color) will be on the call.
It can be heard on WGN 720 AM with The Voice of the Wildcats, Dave Eanet, who is in his 36th season calling Northwestern football, and 32nd-year analyst Ted Albrecht. Former Wildcat defensive lineman Jake Saunders, (2016-2020) is in his first season as the duo's sideline reporter.
Stay tuned to Northwestern football's Twitter and Instagram channels for live highlights, photos and reactions throughout the Wildcats' road clash.
As NU searches for a fifth consecutive win, here are five things to know.
1. Mac Uihlein, One of One
Graduate student linebacker Mac Uihlein played an integral role in the first shutout of the Braun era. He recorded seven tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception as he commanded the defense from his Mike linebacker spot.
Through seven games, Uihlein is the only FBS player to have recorded at least 50 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and three interceptions in 2025.
For Braun, Uihlein — a member of a club of his own at the national stage — has shown tremendous strides in coverage this season.
"What you're starting to see Mac show up with is when he does have opportunities to have vision on the quarterback and vision on the ball, [are] his ability to break on the football, break flat, attack the football," Braun said. "Ultimately, the ball just seems to be finding him a little bit right now, which is awesome."
2. Offensive Line Continues its Standout Play
During the preseason, offensive line coach Bill O'Boyle characterized the improvement in his position group since the 2024 season's culmination as "night and day."
The results quickly came to fruition on the field.
In pass protection, guards Ezomo Oratokhai and Evan Beerntsen and left tackle Caleb Tiernan each haven't allowed a sack nor a quarterback hit in six consecutive games. Northwestern is also off to its most prolific four-game rushing start to Big Ten play since 2012, with 728 rushing yards (182 yards per game) in four conference tilts.
"It's the leadership in that room, all starting with captain Caleb Tiernan just setting the tone," Braun said. "It wasn't there in January, February or March, but the progression we've seen for that room and the togetherness that exists, it's fun to see and also fun to continue to challenge that group. We got better, we got more in the tank."
For his standout play, redshirt-first-year Oratokhai earned a spot on The Athletic's Midseason All-Freshman Team.
"I give Mo a lot of credit — that's an incredible honor — in a world where there's more noise than ever, it can be difficult for a young man to just focus on the task at hand," Braun said. "There's been some ups and downs in terms of the standard he holds himself to. What's shown up on film is a young man that's straining to play, wants to be coached hard and has a bright future."
3. Running Back Room 'Nowhere Near' its Ceiling
Running backs coach Aristotle Thompson contends that the most crucial element that separates effective and ineffective play in the backfield is the relationship between a running back and his offensive line.
Thompson said the collective trust between the two position groups is sky-high, which has facilitated a consistent rushing attack throughout the team's four-game winning streak. For Thompson, redshirt sophomore Caleb Komolafe and Himon have established a potent one-two punch, playing off one another's strengths.
"Caleb is a guy who will play through some tackles, and Joe's the guy who can make you miss," Thompson said. "When you go back and watch last week's game, there's a defender on the sideline trying to tackle Joe, and Joe dropped him. I don't look at it as thunder and lightning. I look at it as two complementary styles that both of them play at a high level."
In recent weeks, Northwestern has incorporated redshirt first-year Dashun Reeder and true first-year Robbie Preckel into its offensive gameplan. Braun said the backfield's depth and confidence is a reflection of Cam Porter's influence from the sideline.
"I told Cam after the game, 'This football team, who we are, our DNA has Cam Porter written all over it,'" Braun said. "That running back room is a prime example of that. It's something we need to continue to lean into in the heart of the Big Ten schedule."
4. Northwestern Defense Continues to Raise the Bar
In each of their four conference games, the Wildcats have held opponents below their scoring and yardage averages. Northwestern boasts the No. 11 scoring defense in the country, surrendering just 15.1 points per game.
While the 'Cats have long prided themselves on a "bend, don't break" mentality on the defensive side of the ball, Northwestern took the mantra to a whole new level this past Saturday. The Wildcats forced three turnovers in their shutout win.
Braun said the program's defensive consistency starts with the group's leader, defensive coordinator Tim McGarigle. For Braun, no playcaller in the country can "out-prepare" the second-year defensive coordinator.
"The thing I love about this team is you have a group of defensive guys, defensive coaches, that are chomping at the bit to get to the tape, get back to practice, knowing there is plenty to clean up from the game and things we need to improve upon," Braun said.
5. Scouting the Cornhuskers
After a 3-0 non-conference slate, Nebraska dropped its Big Ten opener to Michigan before winning two of its next three conference games.
Dylan Raiola spearheads the Cornhusker offense, with the second-year quarterback amassing 1,768 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. Raiola's 72.8 % completion percentage ranks fifth in the nation.
Braun highlighted the Nebraska special teams unit as a particularly dynamic group to gameplan for. Return specialist Kenneth Williams has recorded 223 kick return yards on eight attempts this season, with a season-long of 85 yards against Maryland on Oct. 11.
"They have a returner back there that's scary with the ball in his hands," Braun said. "You could say they won the Maryland game because of some of the things they were able to do on special teams."
Defensively, the Cornhuskers boast the nation's No. 1 pass defense, allowing just 123 yards per game.
Last time out, the Wildcats (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) established a physical rushing attack and put forth a dominant defensive effort en route to a 19-0 victory over Purdue. Graduate student quarterback Preston Stone tossed a pair of touchdown passes, and redshirt junior running back Joseph Himon II logged a game-high 87 yards on 22 carries. The result marked the program's first shutout since 2017.
The Cornhuskers (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) entered their last matchup ranked No. 25, but ultimately fell at Minnesota, 24-6. UNL gave up nine sacks in the loss.
"Excited to get back on the field with this group, with an incredible challenge ahead of us," Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun said. "Coach [Matt] Rhule has done an exceptional job at Nebraska. There's no one better in the country in terms of teaching fundamentals."
Saturday's game will be the teams' first meeting since the 2023 season, when Northwestern fell 17-9 on the road. The squads have split their last four matchups dating back to 2020.
The Wildcats are seeking their first win in Lincoln since defeating the Cornhuskers 31-24 in overtime on Nov. 4, 2017.
The game will air on FS1. Connor Onion (play-by-play) and Mark Helfrich (color) will be on the call.
It can be heard on WGN 720 AM with The Voice of the Wildcats, Dave Eanet, who is in his 36th season calling Northwestern football, and 32nd-year analyst Ted Albrecht. Former Wildcat defensive lineman Jake Saunders, (2016-2020) is in his first season as the duo's sideline reporter.
Stay tuned to Northwestern football's Twitter and Instagram channels for live highlights, photos and reactions throughout the Wildcats' road clash.
As NU searches for a fifth consecutive win, here are five things to know.
1. Mac Uihlein, One of One
Graduate student linebacker Mac Uihlein played an integral role in the first shutout of the Braun era. He recorded seven tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception as he commanded the defense from his Mike linebacker spot.
Through seven games, Uihlein is the only FBS player to have recorded at least 50 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss and three interceptions in 2025.
For Braun, Uihlein — a member of a club of his own at the national stage — has shown tremendous strides in coverage this season.
"What you're starting to see Mac show up with is when he does have opportunities to have vision on the quarterback and vision on the ball, [are] his ability to break on the football, break flat, attack the football," Braun said. "Ultimately, the ball just seems to be finding him a little bit right now, which is awesome."
2. Offensive Line Continues its Standout Play
During the preseason, offensive line coach Bill O'Boyle characterized the improvement in his position group since the 2024 season's culmination as "night and day."
The results quickly came to fruition on the field.
In pass protection, guards Ezomo Oratokhai and Evan Beerntsen and left tackle Caleb Tiernan each haven't allowed a sack nor a quarterback hit in six consecutive games. Northwestern is also off to its most prolific four-game rushing start to Big Ten play since 2012, with 728 rushing yards (182 yards per game) in four conference tilts.
"It's the leadership in that room, all starting with captain Caleb Tiernan just setting the tone," Braun said. "It wasn't there in January, February or March, but the progression we've seen for that room and the togetherness that exists, it's fun to see and also fun to continue to challenge that group. We got better, we got more in the tank."
For his standout play, redshirt-first-year Oratokhai earned a spot on The Athletic's Midseason All-Freshman Team.
"I give Mo a lot of credit — that's an incredible honor — in a world where there's more noise than ever, it can be difficult for a young man to just focus on the task at hand," Braun said. "There's been some ups and downs in terms of the standard he holds himself to. What's shown up on film is a young man that's straining to play, wants to be coached hard and has a bright future."
3. Running Back Room 'Nowhere Near' its Ceiling
Running backs coach Aristotle Thompson contends that the most crucial element that separates effective and ineffective play in the backfield is the relationship between a running back and his offensive line.
Thompson said the collective trust between the two position groups is sky-high, which has facilitated a consistent rushing attack throughout the team's four-game winning streak. For Thompson, redshirt sophomore Caleb Komolafe and Himon have established a potent one-two punch, playing off one another's strengths.
"Caleb is a guy who will play through some tackles, and Joe's the guy who can make you miss," Thompson said. "When you go back and watch last week's game, there's a defender on the sideline trying to tackle Joe, and Joe dropped him. I don't look at it as thunder and lightning. I look at it as two complementary styles that both of them play at a high level."
In recent weeks, Northwestern has incorporated redshirt first-year Dashun Reeder and true first-year Robbie Preckel into its offensive gameplan. Braun said the backfield's depth and confidence is a reflection of Cam Porter's influence from the sideline.
"I told Cam after the game, 'This football team, who we are, our DNA has Cam Porter written all over it,'" Braun said. "That running back room is a prime example of that. It's something we need to continue to lean into in the heart of the Big Ten schedule."
4. Northwestern Defense Continues to Raise the Bar
In each of their four conference games, the Wildcats have held opponents below their scoring and yardage averages. Northwestern boasts the No. 11 scoring defense in the country, surrendering just 15.1 points per game.
While the 'Cats have long prided themselves on a "bend, don't break" mentality on the defensive side of the ball, Northwestern took the mantra to a whole new level this past Saturday. The Wildcats forced three turnovers in their shutout win.
Braun said the program's defensive consistency starts with the group's leader, defensive coordinator Tim McGarigle. For Braun, no playcaller in the country can "out-prepare" the second-year defensive coordinator.
"The thing I love about this team is you have a group of defensive guys, defensive coaches, that are chomping at the bit to get to the tape, get back to practice, knowing there is plenty to clean up from the game and things we need to improve upon," Braun said.
5. Scouting the Cornhuskers
After a 3-0 non-conference slate, Nebraska dropped its Big Ten opener to Michigan before winning two of its next three conference games.
Dylan Raiola spearheads the Cornhusker offense, with the second-year quarterback amassing 1,768 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions this season. Raiola's 72.8 % completion percentage ranks fifth in the nation.
Braun highlighted the Nebraska special teams unit as a particularly dynamic group to gameplan for. Return specialist Kenneth Williams has recorded 223 kick return yards on eight attempts this season, with a season-long of 85 yards against Maryland on Oct. 11.
"They have a returner back there that's scary with the ball in his hands," Braun said. "You could say they won the Maryland game because of some of the things they were able to do on special teams."
Defensively, the Cornhuskers boast the nation's No. 1 pass defense, allowing just 123 yards per game.
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