Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, November 15
Chicago, Ill.
11 a.m. CT
Northwestern
5-5 , 3-4
22
vs
24
#18 Michigan
8-2 , 6-1
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Michigan
0
7
14
3
24
Northwestern
0
6
3
13
22
'Cats Fall In Heartbreaker To No. 18 Michigan, 24-22
11/15/2025 3:44:00 PM | Football
CHICAGO — Dominic Zvada connected on a 31-yard field goal as time expired as Northwestern dropped a 24-22 setback to No. 18 Michigan on Saturday at Wrigley Field.
Trailing 21-9 to the visiting Wolverines (8-2, 6-1 B1G) at the start of the fourth quarter, the Wildcats (5-5, 3-4 B1G) staged a thrilling rally, finding the end zone twice across a 55-second span to charge in front, 22-21.
"Ultimately, disappointed in the result," Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun said. "There's a lot of things that we can point to in terms of where we could be better to better position ourselves for victory against a really good Michigan team. There's also a lot of things to point to in terms of this team's resolve, perseverance, and belief."
Tallying two interceptions and three fumble recoveries, the Northwestern defense recorded five takeaways for the first time since Oct. 1, 2022 against Penn State.
Robert Fitzgerald logged a career-high 15 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one interception, becoming the first Wildcat to post the stat line since Brian Peters in 2010. Braydon Brus recorded a career-high 13 tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble, while Braden Turner notched an interception, forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Preston Stone led the Wildcat attack through the air, finishing his day with 184 yards on 13-of-27 passing. Hunter Welcing proved to be Stone's favorite target, hauling in four catches for 81 yards, the most by a Wildcat tight end since Sept. 16, 2017.
After being held scoreless by the 'Cats in the first quarter, Michigan got on the board with just under two minutes gone in the second frame, as Jordan Marshall plunged in from a yard out to put the visitors on top, 7-0. Jack Olsen answered with a 34-yard field goal with 5:22 remaining to trim the gap to 7-3.
On the ensuing Michigan possession, Anto Saka looked to provide a spark, forcing a fumble that was scooped up by Brus to set Northwestern up in Wolverine territory. Shortly after, Stone connected with Welcing for a 36-yard gain to put the 'Cats inside the 10-yard line. Olsen capped off the drive with a 26-yard kick to pull Northwestern within one at halftime, 7-6.
Northwestern totaled three sacks across the opening 30 minutes, marking the first time the Wildcats have done so since Aug. 31, 2024, against Miami (Ohio). Aidan Hubbard registered a sack to move to seventh in program history in the category (17.5).
Staring at a 14-6 deficit following a Michigan touchdown on its first drive of the second half, Northwestern's special teams unit looked to turn the tide. Following a Wildcat punt, Liam Reardon forced and recovered a fumble to give Northwestern possession on the Wolverines' 36-yard line. Olsen went on to hit his third field goal of the afternoon, connecting from 35 yards out to cut the deficit to 14-9.
Following another Michigan score that stretched the gap to 21-9 late in the third quarter, Stone piloted the 'Cats on an 8-play, 75-yard scoring drive. The graduate student signal-caller hit on all four of his pass attempts before sneaking in from inside the one-yard line to make it a five-point game, 21-16, with two minutes gone in the fourth quarter.
On Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood's second dropback of the fourth quarter, Turner came away with his first career interception, a takeaway that he returned down to the six-yard line. Northwestern wasted no time cashing in, as Caleb Komolafe bulldozed in to give the upset-minded 'Cats their first lead, 22-21, at the 12:05 mark.
The Wildcat defensive unit went on to force two more Michigan turnovers as the fourth quarter wore on, with Fitzgerald recording his second career interception, before Turner forced and recovered a fumble on a fourth-down attempt by the Wolverines.
Michigan would have the final say on the day, as it regained possession with 2:10 remaining and put together an 11-play, 50-yard drive to set up Zvada's game-clinching kick.
"I'm proud of this team. I love working with this team. We're really disappointed, and we are hungry to review this tape, get back in the facility, and start preparing for a really good Minnesota team," Braun said.
Northwestern wraps up its 2025 home schedule on Saturday, Nov. 22 against Minnesota at Wrigley Field. A kickoff time and TV designation are yet to be announced.
Gallery: (11-15-2025) Football vs. Michigan
Trailing 21-9 to the visiting Wolverines (8-2, 6-1 B1G) at the start of the fourth quarter, the Wildcats (5-5, 3-4 B1G) staged a thrilling rally, finding the end zone twice across a 55-second span to charge in front, 22-21.
"Ultimately, disappointed in the result," Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun said. "There's a lot of things that we can point to in terms of where we could be better to better position ourselves for victory against a really good Michigan team. There's also a lot of things to point to in terms of this team's resolve, perseverance, and belief."
Tallying two interceptions and three fumble recoveries, the Northwestern defense recorded five takeaways for the first time since Oct. 1, 2022 against Penn State.
Robert Fitzgerald logged a career-high 15 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one interception, becoming the first Wildcat to post the stat line since Brian Peters in 2010. Braydon Brus recorded a career-high 13 tackles, one sack, and a forced fumble, while Braden Turner notched an interception, forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Preston Stone led the Wildcat attack through the air, finishing his day with 184 yards on 13-of-27 passing. Hunter Welcing proved to be Stone's favorite target, hauling in four catches for 81 yards, the most by a Wildcat tight end since Sept. 16, 2017.
After being held scoreless by the 'Cats in the first quarter, Michigan got on the board with just under two minutes gone in the second frame, as Jordan Marshall plunged in from a yard out to put the visitors on top, 7-0. Jack Olsen answered with a 34-yard field goal with 5:22 remaining to trim the gap to 7-3.
On the ensuing Michigan possession, Anto Saka looked to provide a spark, forcing a fumble that was scooped up by Brus to set Northwestern up in Wolverine territory. Shortly after, Stone connected with Welcing for a 36-yard gain to put the 'Cats inside the 10-yard line. Olsen capped off the drive with a 26-yard kick to pull Northwestern within one at halftime, 7-6.
Northwestern totaled three sacks across the opening 30 minutes, marking the first time the Wildcats have done so since Aug. 31, 2024, against Miami (Ohio). Aidan Hubbard registered a sack to move to seventh in program history in the category (17.5).
Staring at a 14-6 deficit following a Michigan touchdown on its first drive of the second half, Northwestern's special teams unit looked to turn the tide. Following a Wildcat punt, Liam Reardon forced and recovered a fumble to give Northwestern possession on the Wolverines' 36-yard line. Olsen went on to hit his third field goal of the afternoon, connecting from 35 yards out to cut the deficit to 14-9.
Following another Michigan score that stretched the gap to 21-9 late in the third quarter, Stone piloted the 'Cats on an 8-play, 75-yard scoring drive. The graduate student signal-caller hit on all four of his pass attempts before sneaking in from inside the one-yard line to make it a five-point game, 21-16, with two minutes gone in the fourth quarter.
On Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood's second dropback of the fourth quarter, Turner came away with his first career interception, a takeaway that he returned down to the six-yard line. Northwestern wasted no time cashing in, as Caleb Komolafe bulldozed in to give the upset-minded 'Cats their first lead, 22-21, at the 12:05 mark.
The Wildcat defensive unit went on to force two more Michigan turnovers as the fourth quarter wore on, with Fitzgerald recording his second career interception, before Turner forced and recovered a fumble on a fourth-down attempt by the Wolverines.
Michigan would have the final say on the day, as it regained possession with 2:10 remaining and put together an 11-play, 50-yard drive to set up Zvada's game-clinching kick.
"I'm proud of this team. I love working with this team. We're really disappointed, and we are hungry to review this tape, get back in the facility, and start preparing for a really good Minnesota team," Braun said.
Northwestern wraps up its 2025 home schedule on Saturday, Nov. 22 against Minnesota at Wrigley Field. A kickoff time and TV designation are yet to be announced.
Team Stats
U-M
NU
Total Yards
496
245
Pass Yards
280
184
Rushing Yards
216
61
Penalty Yards
24
55
1st Downs
25
11
3rd Downs
9
2
4th Downs
0
1
TOP
33:06
26:53
2nd Quarter
U-M 7, NU 0
U-M - Marshall,Jordan 1 yd run (Zvada,Dominic kick), 12 plays, 91 yards, TOP 05:45
U-M 7, NU 3
NU - Olsen,Jack 34 yd field goal 10 plays, 38 yards, TOP 05:50
U-M 7, NU 6
NU - Olsen,Jack 26 yd field goal 7 plays, 39 yards, TOP 01:18
3rd Quarter
U-M 14, NU 6
U-M - Underwood,Bryce 9 yd run (Zvada,Dominic kick), 5 plays, 85 yards, TOP 02:13
U-M 14, NU 9
NU - Olsen,Jack 35 yd field goal 6 plays, 19 yards, TOP 03:08
U-M 21, NU 9
U-M - Marshall,Jordan 1 yd run (Zvada,Dominic kick), 10 plays, 80 yards, TOP 05:23
4th Quarter
U-M 21, NU 16
NU - Stone,Preston 1 yd run (Olsen,Jack kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:40
U-M 21, NU 22
NU - Komolafe,Caleb 6 yd run (), 1 plays, 6 yards, TOP 00:05
U-M 24, NU 22
U-M - Zvada,Dominic 31 yd field goal 11 plays, 50 yards, TOP 02:10
Game Leaders
CMP
13
TD
0
YDS
184
INT
0
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
K
/ Football
LS
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
TE
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