Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, August 30
New Orleans, La.
11 a.m. CT
Northwestern
at
Tulane
Wildcats Kick Off 2025 Season at Tulane
8/29/2025 10:58:00 AM | Football
By Charlie Spungin, NUSports.com
NEW ORLEANS – Northwestern's 137th season of football opens on the road in Yulman Stadium against Tulane on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. CT. It marks the first time the Wildcats have opened the season on the road against a non-conference opponent since 2019, and the road matchup against a Group of 5 opponent in a season opener since 2006.
The game will air on ESPNU with Matt Schumacker (play-by-play) and Dustin Fox (analyst) on the call.
It can be heard on WGN Radio 720 with The Voice of the Wildcats, Dave Eanet, who is entering his 36th season calling Northwestern football, and 32nd-year analyst Ted Albrecht. The duo's sideline reporter will be former Wildcat defensive lineman Jake Saunders, (2016-2020), entering his first season in the role.
In addition, stay tuned to Northwestern football's Twitter and Instagram channels (@NUFBFamily) for live highlights, photos, and reactions throughout the Wildcats' season opener.
What to Watch For:
1. The Captains
Last Thursday, Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun announced Northwestern's five captains for the 2025 season. Each a graduate student, defensive lineman Carmine Bastone, running back Cam Porter, quarterback Preston Stone, offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan and linebacker Mac Uihlein were selected for the honor, as voted on by their teammates.
Bastone and Porter are returning captains from last season. While Bastone became the 20th multi-year captain in program history, Porter became just the second three-time captain in Northwestern history. Bastone also was named the recipient of the No. 1 jersey this year.
Tiernan and Uihlein return after a season in which both players earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention accolades. Tiernan posted an 82.3 PFF grade on the season, ranking fifth among tackles in the Big Ten, while Uihlein led the Wildcats with 85 tackles (No. 9 in the Big Ten).
While the four previous players have spent at least four seasons donning purple, Stone enters his first season with Northwestern. Braun said Stone being voted as a captain is a testament to his character, namely his ability to build relationships and be a leader.
"All five, in their own way, have done an incredible job of building a ton of credibility in terms of the way they operate, but also being willing to hold guys accountable," Braun said. "Our guys understand it's not a popularity vote. It's a vote of saying, Who are the men that we want to lead this football team?' I couldn't be more excited about those five."
2. A New QB at the Helm
After transferring from SMU, Stone will play his last season of collegiate football as a Wildcat.
Stone is one of 58 FBS and eight Big Ten quarterbacks to be named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, which is annually awarded to the nation's top quarterback.
"In terms of skillet, he processes at an extremely high level," Braun said. "His knowledge of the game is really impressive. His deep-ball accuracy has certainly stood out, and then also on the move as plays extend, he has sound decision making while being accurate with the football."
During the 2023 season as a Mustang, Stone recorded the fourth-most passing yards (3,197), the third-most touchdown passes (28) and the highest passing efficiency (161.3) in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) en route to an All-AAC Third-Team selection. During his record year, he was in the top 15 in several FBS categories, including passing yards per completion (No. 5), passing touchdowns (No. 11) and passing efficiency (No. 13). He also threw for over 300 yards in four games and was a three-time AAC Offensive Player of the Week.
Stone has pounced at opportunities to get extra reps in with his wide receivers, routinely throwing on Saturdays with his set of weapons.
"I've really enjoyed having that quarterback-receiver relationship with them," Stone said. "There's been a ton of open feedback in the eight months that I've been here so far, whether it's something I need to do with getting the ball out quicker, or my feedback to them."
3. An Experienced Defensive Line
One of Northwestern's most experienced position groups is its defensive line. The Wildcats return 89.1% of its sacks and 58.8% of its tackles for loss from the 2024 season.
Graduate student Aidan Hubbard has led the team in sacks over each of the past two seasons, and his 12 sacks over that span ranks fourth in the Big Ten among defensive linemen. His 13 career sacks rank 10th in program history.
Redshirt junior Anto Saka ranked second in sacks last season with 3.5. This past summer, he has put in the effort needed to become an every-down force.
"I know if I want to help the team this year, I have to be available on every down: first, second and third," Saka said. "Gaining some weight helped me get stronger at the point of attack, be a better run defender and just ultimately stay healthier."
Junior Michael Kilbane, graduate student Najee Story, and Bastone all bring a flurry of Big Ten football experience to the room as well. Story has played 38 career games, while Bastone and Kilbane have tallied 26 and 20, respectively.
The battle-tested defensive line will be sure to look to wreak havoc not only in New Orleans but for the entire season.
"Sometimes, early in the year, when you're rotating at the defensive line, you have some young guys that are cutting their teeth for the first time," Braun said. "That's not necessarily the case this year, which is something that needs to be a strength and needs to show up for us on Saturday.
4. Rounding Out the Offensive Line
During Pro Day, spring practice, and fall camp, Braun has continuously praised his offensive line, signaling how many players were vying for a starting spot.
"There's truly competitive depth in that room," Braun said in early August. "There are plenty of guys in that room right now that have no clue whether or not they'll be the first one running out there against Tulane, and competition is good for everybody."
On that day, Braun only confirmed Tiernan, a member of The Athletic's Preseason All-Big Ten First Team, to be starting at left tackle.
Since then, Braun has confirmed three other starters. Next to Tiernan at left guard will be redshirt freshman Ezomo Oratokhai, who started two games last season. At center, graduate student Jackson Carsello has earned the nod after starting the final eight games of last season.
The right side of the line sees new faces, however. Graduate student Evan Beerntsen, a transfer from South Dakota State, will take over at right guard.
At right tackle, Braun said an open competition remains between graduate student Martes Lewis, a transfer from Minnesota, and redshirt junior Deuce McGuire.
"The lack of clarity on who's going to come out for the first series is a reflection of we think both those guys are doing some really good things right now," Braun said. "Whether or not we rotate at that position or who goes out for the first series, those are things that we'll work through as we progress throughout this week."
5. Clashing with Tulane
Northwestern has not faced the Green Wave since 1956, and Saturday's contest will be just the fifth matchup between the squads. The Wildcats have just one win against Tulane, which came in 1930.
The Green Wave come off a 9-5 season and received votes in the preseason AP poll. While returning quality veterans, the team still boasts clear roster turnover and notably a question mark at who will start at quarterback. Still, Braun knows the game will be a test.
"They're physical. They play hard. They play together — all attributes that you attribute to a really good head coach, a really good staff, a team that understands what it looks like to win," Braun said.
In addition, Braun believes that a tough test in Week 1 gives the Wildcats the chance to establish their identity early on.
"It's an opportunity for a tone setter," Braun said. "Tremendous amount of respect for Tulane and the way that they operate. We know that this is ultimately a team that people are talking about as a top 25 team, a team that has an opportunity to earn a place in the CFP. I think those are all warranted conversations. We know it's going to be a challenge. We know there's going to be adversity. We know what stands in front of us. The thing that I appreciate about this team and this staff is that we've embraced that with a mentality of, 'Good. That's the way we want to start off the season.'"
NEW ORLEANS – Northwestern's 137th season of football opens on the road in Yulman Stadium against Tulane on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. CT. It marks the first time the Wildcats have opened the season on the road against a non-conference opponent since 2019, and the road matchup against a Group of 5 opponent in a season opener since 2006.
The game will air on ESPNU with Matt Schumacker (play-by-play) and Dustin Fox (analyst) on the call.
It can be heard on WGN Radio 720 with The Voice of the Wildcats, Dave Eanet, who is entering his 36th season calling Northwestern football, and 32nd-year analyst Ted Albrecht. The duo's sideline reporter will be former Wildcat defensive lineman Jake Saunders, (2016-2020), entering his first season in the role.
In addition, stay tuned to Northwestern football's Twitter and Instagram channels (@NUFBFamily) for live highlights, photos, and reactions throughout the Wildcats' season opener.
What to Watch For:
1. The Captains
Last Thursday, Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun announced Northwestern's five captains for the 2025 season. Each a graduate student, defensive lineman Carmine Bastone, running back Cam Porter, quarterback Preston Stone, offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan and linebacker Mac Uihlein were selected for the honor, as voted on by their teammates.
Bastone and Porter are returning captains from last season. While Bastone became the 20th multi-year captain in program history, Porter became just the second three-time captain in Northwestern history. Bastone also was named the recipient of the No. 1 jersey this year.
Tiernan and Uihlein return after a season in which both players earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention accolades. Tiernan posted an 82.3 PFF grade on the season, ranking fifth among tackles in the Big Ten, while Uihlein led the Wildcats with 85 tackles (No. 9 in the Big Ten).
While the four previous players have spent at least four seasons donning purple, Stone enters his first season with Northwestern. Braun said Stone being voted as a captain is a testament to his character, namely his ability to build relationships and be a leader.
"All five, in their own way, have done an incredible job of building a ton of credibility in terms of the way they operate, but also being willing to hold guys accountable," Braun said. "Our guys understand it's not a popularity vote. It's a vote of saying, Who are the men that we want to lead this football team?' I couldn't be more excited about those five."
2. A New QB at the Helm
After transferring from SMU, Stone will play his last season of collegiate football as a Wildcat.
Stone is one of 58 FBS and eight Big Ten quarterbacks to be named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List, which is annually awarded to the nation's top quarterback.
"In terms of skillet, he processes at an extremely high level," Braun said. "His knowledge of the game is really impressive. His deep-ball accuracy has certainly stood out, and then also on the move as plays extend, he has sound decision making while being accurate with the football."
During the 2023 season as a Mustang, Stone recorded the fourth-most passing yards (3,197), the third-most touchdown passes (28) and the highest passing efficiency (161.3) in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) en route to an All-AAC Third-Team selection. During his record year, he was in the top 15 in several FBS categories, including passing yards per completion (No. 5), passing touchdowns (No. 11) and passing efficiency (No. 13). He also threw for over 300 yards in four games and was a three-time AAC Offensive Player of the Week.
Stone has pounced at opportunities to get extra reps in with his wide receivers, routinely throwing on Saturdays with his set of weapons.
"I've really enjoyed having that quarterback-receiver relationship with them," Stone said. "There's been a ton of open feedback in the eight months that I've been here so far, whether it's something I need to do with getting the ball out quicker, or my feedback to them."
3. An Experienced Defensive Line
One of Northwestern's most experienced position groups is its defensive line. The Wildcats return 89.1% of its sacks and 58.8% of its tackles for loss from the 2024 season.
Graduate student Aidan Hubbard has led the team in sacks over each of the past two seasons, and his 12 sacks over that span ranks fourth in the Big Ten among defensive linemen. His 13 career sacks rank 10th in program history.
Redshirt junior Anto Saka ranked second in sacks last season with 3.5. This past summer, he has put in the effort needed to become an every-down force.
"I know if I want to help the team this year, I have to be available on every down: first, second and third," Saka said. "Gaining some weight helped me get stronger at the point of attack, be a better run defender and just ultimately stay healthier."
Junior Michael Kilbane, graduate student Najee Story, and Bastone all bring a flurry of Big Ten football experience to the room as well. Story has played 38 career games, while Bastone and Kilbane have tallied 26 and 20, respectively.
The battle-tested defensive line will be sure to look to wreak havoc not only in New Orleans but for the entire season.
"Sometimes, early in the year, when you're rotating at the defensive line, you have some young guys that are cutting their teeth for the first time," Braun said. "That's not necessarily the case this year, which is something that needs to be a strength and needs to show up for us on Saturday.
4. Rounding Out the Offensive Line
During Pro Day, spring practice, and fall camp, Braun has continuously praised his offensive line, signaling how many players were vying for a starting spot.
"There's truly competitive depth in that room," Braun said in early August. "There are plenty of guys in that room right now that have no clue whether or not they'll be the first one running out there against Tulane, and competition is good for everybody."
On that day, Braun only confirmed Tiernan, a member of The Athletic's Preseason All-Big Ten First Team, to be starting at left tackle.
Since then, Braun has confirmed three other starters. Next to Tiernan at left guard will be redshirt freshman Ezomo Oratokhai, who started two games last season. At center, graduate student Jackson Carsello has earned the nod after starting the final eight games of last season.
The right side of the line sees new faces, however. Graduate student Evan Beerntsen, a transfer from South Dakota State, will take over at right guard.
At right tackle, Braun said an open competition remains between graduate student Martes Lewis, a transfer from Minnesota, and redshirt junior Deuce McGuire.
"The lack of clarity on who's going to come out for the first series is a reflection of we think both those guys are doing some really good things right now," Braun said. "Whether or not we rotate at that position or who goes out for the first series, those are things that we'll work through as we progress throughout this week."
5. Clashing with Tulane
Northwestern has not faced the Green Wave since 1956, and Saturday's contest will be just the fifth matchup between the squads. The Wildcats have just one win against Tulane, which came in 1930.
The Green Wave come off a 9-5 season and received votes in the preseason AP poll. While returning quality veterans, the team still boasts clear roster turnover and notably a question mark at who will start at quarterback. Still, Braun knows the game will be a test.
"They're physical. They play hard. They play together — all attributes that you attribute to a really good head coach, a really good staff, a team that understands what it looks like to win," Braun said.
In addition, Braun believes that a tough test in Week 1 gives the Wildcats the chance to establish their identity early on.
"It's an opportunity for a tone setter," Braun said. "Tremendous amount of respect for Tulane and the way that they operate. We know that this is ultimately a team that people are talking about as a top 25 team, a team that has an opportunity to earn a place in the CFP. I think those are all warranted conversations. We know it's going to be a challenge. We know there's going to be adversity. We know what stands in front of us. The thing that I appreciate about this team and this staff is that we've embraced that with a mentality of, 'Good. That's the way we want to start off the season.'"
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