’Cats Complete Comeback, Secure Bowl Eligibility In 38-35 Win Over Minnesota

Saturday, November 22

Chicago, Ill.

11 a.m. CT

Northwestern

6-5 , 4-4

Minnesota

6-5 , 4-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Minnesota

Northwestern

Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics

’Cats Complete Comeback, Secure Bowl Eligibility In 38-35 Win Over Minnesota

11/22/2025 3:00:00 PM | Football

Box Score Highlights Postgame Notes Photo Gallery

Stone throws for 305 yards, Komolafe piles up 134 yards on the ground

By: Jake Epstein, NUSports.com

CHICAGO (November 22, 2025) — Northwestern erased a 15-point second-half deficit to defeat Minnesota by a final score of 38-35 on Saturday at Wrigley Field.

With the win, the Wildcats (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) have secured bowl eligibility for the second time in three seasons under Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun.

"When we talk about the character of our football program, turn on this tape," Braun said. "Resilience, toughness, ability to respond — just so excited for our guys, this program, for our fan base to be bowl eligible."

Preston Stone put forth his most prolific passing performance since joining the program, completing 25-of-30 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns. Stone completed each of his 15 second-half throws as he tied the program's single-game record for completions on a minimum of 30 passes.

"This might be the most complete offensive game I've ever been a part of in college football," Stone said. "The O-line kept my jersey clean all night, receivers were making plays. The [running backs] were totally involved. Just super grateful to come out and play with these guys."

Griffin Wilde and Hayden Eligon II became the first Northwestern teammates to exceed 100 receiving yards in a game since Nov. 30, 2013. Wilde recorded 111 yards and one touchdown on 11 catches, while Eligon snared seven grabs for 127 yards.

Caleb Komolafe paced the Wildcat rushing offense with 22 rushes for 129 yards and two total touchdowns. Joseph Himon II added 47 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.

After Stone and Wilde connected for a pair of intermediate passing plays to move into Minnesota territory, Komolafe broke free for a 46-yard touchdown to give Northwestern a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game. The explosive rush marked the redshirt sophomore's 10th touchdown in 2025.

"We pride ourselves on winning in the run game, but today was a very balanced team-win," Komolafe said. "Griff and Hayden were balling out. It just makes our job easier. It helps our whole line out, and it just goes back to us playing together. When everybody's doing their job, and we're flying around, we can beat anybody."

Graduate student kicker Jack Olsen nailed a 34-yard field goal to extend Northwestern's lead to 10-0 with 51 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

The Wildcats outgained the visitors 150 to 5 total yards in the opening frame.

With 13:35 to play in the first half, Darius Taylor scored a one-yard touchdown to cut the Northwestern lead to 10-7. Midway through the second quarter, Olsen converted a 35-yarder to push the margin up to 13-7.

Minnesota took a 14-13 lead with 3:09 left in the half as Drake Lindsey hit Javon Tracy for a five-yard passing touchdown. Lindsey and Tracy connected for a second score to give the Golden Gophers a 21-13 halftime lead.

Tracy hauled in a third touchdown to stretch the Minnesota lead to 28-13 with 12:43 remaining in the third quarter. On the ensuing drive, Stone found Wilde for a four-yard passing score before Robby Preckel punched in the two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 28-21.

In the third quarter's closing seconds, Himon scored his first touchdown of the season on a 20-yard rush to tie the game at 28-28.

On an eight-play, 70-yard drive, Komolafe secured a two-yard receiving score to give Northwestern a 35-28 lead. But Minnesota evened the score at 35-35 on its ensuing drive.

With 53 seconds remaining, Olsen knocked in a 33-yard field goal that ultimately marked the difference between the two teams and secured bowl eligibility for Northwestern.

"You saw two football teams that are awfully resilient and want to duke it out for four quarters," Braun said. "Really proud of our finish as a football team."

The Wildcats will close out the regular season in a battle for the Land of Lincoln Trophy against Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 29. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on FOX and WGN Radio 720.