Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: GRIFFIN QUINN/Northwestern Athletics
A Year-long Recalibration Fuels NU’s Bowl-Clinching Win Over Minnesota
11/22/2025 5:24:00 PM | Football
CHICAGO — The Northwestern sideline transformed from a bated breath's standstill into an all-out sprint as a missed Minnesota field goal in the final seconds sealed a 38-35 victory on Saturday afternoon at Wrigley Field.
But as the Wildcats (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) celebrated their second bowl bid in the past three seasons, they actualized a scheme set into motion months before the 2025 roster started taking shape.
"It's really rewarding," Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun said. "It's emotional for a lot of people… It's really special to see guys put so much into something. To have them rewarded today with an opportunity to know that we get to do this a lot longer because we get to go to a bowl game and spend December together is pretty special."
A mere 357 days ago, Northwestern's 2024 season ended at 4-8 following a rivalry loss to Illinois on Nov. 30, 2024. For more than an hour after the clock struck zero, Braun met with returning leadership like Carmine Bastone, already plotting the next season's turnaround.
What followed was a total reevaluation of the program's operations. Tough questions were asked, honest conversations were held as an arduous reckoning period ensued.
"Ultimately, coming off a 4-8 season, perspective is powerful," Braun said at a preseason media availability. "Is this happening to you, or is it happening for you? I truly believe, as a program, we did a good job of saying this is happening for us. You can't spray perfume on a 4-8 season. It stinks."
Reinforcements soon arrived. In January, Preston Stone — the former SMU quarterback Braun has consistently lauded as a winner — arrived on campus alongside South Dakota State transfers Griffin Wilde and Evan Beernsten. More additions such as Fred Davis II and Martes Lewis joined in the following months.
Each played integral roles on Saturday.
From a leadership perspective, longtime program stalwarts meshed with dynamic newcomers. The result seemed palpable as the Wildcats hit winter workouts with an undeniable fervor.
"Everything went into this," said Michael Kilbane, who posted a career-high 2.0 tackles for loss in the win. "Just being able to set the standard from the beginning of January, to uphold that all the way through November and now December, everything just went into that. Having great leadership is just seeing that come to fruition."
The road to six victories proved far from linear for NU. A tough road matchup with Tulane opened the campaign. Three-time captain Cam Porter sustained a season-ending injury in Week 2, thrusting new contributors into the limelight. And even after the 'Cats were just one game away from bowl eligibility, several heartbreaking defeats followed.
But for Caleb Komolafe, who rushed for 129 yards and tallied two scores against the Golden Gophers, adversity has helped solidify Northwestern's identity.
"We're a very resilient team," Komolafe said. "That's something we pride ourselves on. Bouncing back, no matter who we're going against, we're a team that's always gonna fight back. No matter how many blows we take, we're gonna be punching back."
Denied of win No. 6 on a walk-off field goal seven days prior against Michigan, Stone said he knew his team had the heart and belief to battle back.
Stone and the 'Cats needed every ounce of fortitude as they trailed 28-13 in the third quarter. The veteran passer completed all 15 of his second-half passes as he willed Northwestern to victory with 305 yards and two touchdowns.
"It almost brought a tear to my eye after the game," Stone said of extending his collegiate career another month. "If I had it my way, I'd keep playing with these guys for the rest of my life. We have a very special locker room. I love these guys. Can't wait to keep the season going."
Just as they did in 2023, the Wildcats secured bowl eligibility with one regular-season game to spare. Another trip to Champaign for the Land of Lincoln Trophy awaits, with Northwestern set to take on Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 29.
Robert Fitzgerald, a key special teams contributor on the 2023 Las Vegas Bowl winning squad, said the current group provides constant reminders of NU's last bowl-bound team. The Wildcats now have a chance to craft another postseason story.
"We don't want to go home right after Thanksgiving," Fitzgerald said. "We want to spend as much time with this group as possible."
But as the Wildcats (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) celebrated their second bowl bid in the past three seasons, they actualized a scheme set into motion months before the 2025 roster started taking shape.
"It's really rewarding," Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun said. "It's emotional for a lot of people… It's really special to see guys put so much into something. To have them rewarded today with an opportunity to know that we get to do this a lot longer because we get to go to a bowl game and spend December together is pretty special."
A mere 357 days ago, Northwestern's 2024 season ended at 4-8 following a rivalry loss to Illinois on Nov. 30, 2024. For more than an hour after the clock struck zero, Braun met with returning leadership like Carmine Bastone, already plotting the next season's turnaround.
What followed was a total reevaluation of the program's operations. Tough questions were asked, honest conversations were held as an arduous reckoning period ensued.
"Ultimately, coming off a 4-8 season, perspective is powerful," Braun said at a preseason media availability. "Is this happening to you, or is it happening for you? I truly believe, as a program, we did a good job of saying this is happening for us. You can't spray perfume on a 4-8 season. It stinks."
Reinforcements soon arrived. In January, Preston Stone — the former SMU quarterback Braun has consistently lauded as a winner — arrived on campus alongside South Dakota State transfers Griffin Wilde and Evan Beernsten. More additions such as Fred Davis II and Martes Lewis joined in the following months.
Each played integral roles on Saturday.
From a leadership perspective, longtime program stalwarts meshed with dynamic newcomers. The result seemed palpable as the Wildcats hit winter workouts with an undeniable fervor.
"Everything went into this," said Michael Kilbane, who posted a career-high 2.0 tackles for loss in the win. "Just being able to set the standard from the beginning of January, to uphold that all the way through November and now December, everything just went into that. Having great leadership is just seeing that come to fruition."
The road to six victories proved far from linear for NU. A tough road matchup with Tulane opened the campaign. Three-time captain Cam Porter sustained a season-ending injury in Week 2, thrusting new contributors into the limelight. And even after the 'Cats were just one game away from bowl eligibility, several heartbreaking defeats followed.
But for Caleb Komolafe, who rushed for 129 yards and tallied two scores against the Golden Gophers, adversity has helped solidify Northwestern's identity.
"We're a very resilient team," Komolafe said. "That's something we pride ourselves on. Bouncing back, no matter who we're going against, we're a team that's always gonna fight back. No matter how many blows we take, we're gonna be punching back."
Denied of win No. 6 on a walk-off field goal seven days prior against Michigan, Stone said he knew his team had the heart and belief to battle back.
Stone and the 'Cats needed every ounce of fortitude as they trailed 28-13 in the third quarter. The veteran passer completed all 15 of his second-half passes as he willed Northwestern to victory with 305 yards and two touchdowns.
"It almost brought a tear to my eye after the game," Stone said of extending his collegiate career another month. "If I had it my way, I'd keep playing with these guys for the rest of my life. We have a very special locker room. I love these guys. Can't wait to keep the season going."
Just as they did in 2023, the Wildcats secured bowl eligibility with one regular-season game to spare. Another trip to Champaign for the Land of Lincoln Trophy awaits, with Northwestern set to take on Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 29.
Robert Fitzgerald, a key special teams contributor on the 2023 Las Vegas Bowl winning squad, said the current group provides constant reminders of NU's last bowl-bound team. The Wildcats now have a chance to craft another postseason story.
"We don't want to go home right after Thanksgiving," Fitzgerald said. "We want to spend as much time with this group as possible."
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