Friday, September 5
Evanston, Ill.
6:30 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
Western Illinois
Photo by: GRIFFIN QUINN/Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Eyes Bounce-Back Result in Home Opener against Western Illinois
9/4/2025 10:08:00 AM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. — After Northwestern opened its season with a 23-3 defeat at Tulane, Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun preached patience and an underlying message that one game doesn't define his squad.
"This team understands that results do matter, [but] also, we're not defined by one bad day or one bad game," Braun said at his Monday press conference. "We have a great challenge in front of us, we've got to be at our best. The way we've been practicing over the course of the last nine months needs to show up."
The Wildcats (0-1) will look to grab their first win at home Friday night, when they host Western Illinois (0-1) at 6:30 p.m. CT inside Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The game will air on Big Ten Network with Lisa Byington (play-by-play), Brock Vereen (analyst), and Sydney Supple (sideline reporter) on the call.
It can be heard on WGN Radio 720 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 (@NUFBFamily) for live highlights, photos and reactions throughout the Wildcats' home opener.
Here are five items to look out for as Northwestern looks to return to winning ways on the shores of Lake Michigan.
1. Stone looks to settle in as Wildcats' signal-caller
Two seasons ago, Braun commenced his tenure as then-interim head coach in a 24-7 loss at Rutgers on Sept. 3, 2023. The performance left much to be desired, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
But Braun and his group didn't hit the proverbial panic button. Instead, they stood true to their veteran passer in Ben Bryant and ultimately completed one of college football's greatest turnarounds that year, finishing 8-5 with a Las Vegas Bowl victory.
Now, the third-year head coach is leaning on past lessons following graduate student quarterback Preston Stone's five-turnover performance in the Big Easy.
"I'll be the first to tell you, [I'm] super competitive, super critical," Braun said. "Preston Stone embodies some similar qualities. It can be really easy to be so emotional after a tough loss, especially when you were so emotional and confident about your preparation going into the game, to spiral into panic. The reality is, as a program, we just need to take a deep breath."
Stone possesses a prime opportunity to settle back into his all-conference form that he displayed at SMU, as he'll face a Leatherneck defense that relented 231 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in Week 1 to Illinois. Fighting Illini quarterbacks completed 81.8% of their throws against Western Illinois this past weekend.
Although Stone struggled with ball security in Yulman Stadium, he demonstrated an early rapport with wide receiver Griffin Wilde. The South Dakota State transfer totaled 64 receiving yards on six catches, which were the most receptions by a Wildcat making his debut since at least 1995.
2. Pick your poison at running back
Offensive coordinator Zach Lujan has incorporated a trio of tailbacks into his early scheme: Cam Porter, Joseph Himon II and Caleb Komolafe.
At Tulane, backfield touches were split almost evenly between the three-time captain in Porter, the speedy Himon and the change-of-pace-back in Komolafe. Braun said he expects a similar trend to continue this upcoming week.
"All three will be utilized heavily," Braun said. "All three have unique skil lsets and need to be critical pieces to what we're doing as an offense."
In Week 1, Illinois gained 209 rushing yards on 37 carries against Western Illinois, good for 5.6 yards per rush. For Braun, establishing the run will be critical to success and controlling the tempo of Friday night's contest.
Braun also lauded the development of Komolafe, who received a career-high nine carries on Saturday.
"It's being an every-down back, his competitiveness, his maturity, his leadership, his commitment to special teams," Braun said. "Something that's shown up consistently in practice is his ability to make people miss, break tackles at the second and third levels that turn into explosive plays. He has the ability to not just be a consistent back, but an explosive one."
3. Akers' all-around special teams act to continue
When the Wildcats trotted out for their first field goal of the 2025 season, it was graduate student Luke Akers who lined up to put the ball through the uprights. Akers nailed the 21-yard field goal, scoring Northwestern's first points of the year.
As he did during the latter stretch of the 2024 season, Akers is set to handle both punts and kicks for the Wildcats this year.
Last season, Akers averaged a career-high 43.1 yards per punt while also converting 10-of-14 field goal attempts. His career long is 43 yards.
"[We] have to continue to manage to make sure we're putting him in a good situation in terms of the load that he's carrying as our starting punter," Braun said. "I was excited for Luke to see his first one go through the uprights. [He] did a great job punting the ball, exciting for him this season."
4. Scouting the Leathernecks
Braun and Western Illinois coach Joe Davis have long crossed paths in both coaching camps and time on the recruiting trail. The Wildcats coach said Davis' turnaround of the Leatherneck program has captured his full attention.
Davis took the job in 2023, with Western Illinois finishing 0-11. Last season, the Leathernecks improved to 4-8, which equaled as many wins as the program had accumulated in the previous five seasons, and ranked 16th in FCS averaging 427.5 yards per game.
"Full focus on a Western Illinois team that's on the rise," Braun said. "[Davis] did a really good job last year taking a program that was struggling and getting them to four wins. They've done a great job in their recruiting and their personnel and the talent they have on the roster is improving."
Western Illinois will likely start senior Chris Irvin at quarterback. The Idaho native began his career at Washington State and threw for 134 yards in his season opener.
5. Matchup History
The Wildcats and the Leathernecks will face off for the second time Friday night. Northwestern won the teams' last meeting 24-7 on Sept. 20, 2014. Trevor Siemian accumulated 117 passing yards while Justin Jackson rushed for 94 yards and the second of his school-record 41 career rushing touchdowns in the previous matchup.
Since the 2005 season, Western Illinois has amassed a 1-21 record against FBS competition. The lone victory came against Northern Illinois in 2016, when the Leathernecks knocked off the Huskies 28-23 in DeKalb, Ill.
Western Illinois has gone 0-2 against Power Four opponents in the past two seasons.
"This team understands that results do matter, [but] also, we're not defined by one bad day or one bad game," Braun said at his Monday press conference. "We have a great challenge in front of us, we've got to be at our best. The way we've been practicing over the course of the last nine months needs to show up."
The Wildcats (0-1) will look to grab their first win at home Friday night, when they host Western Illinois (0-1) at 6:30 p.m. CT inside Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The game will air on Big Ten Network with Lisa Byington (play-by-play), Brock Vereen (analyst), and Sydney Supple (sideline reporter) on the call.
It can be heard on WGN Radio 720 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 (@NUFBFamily) for live highlights, photos and reactions throughout the Wildcats' home opener.
Here are five items to look out for as Northwestern looks to return to winning ways on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Lakefront Loading ???? pic.twitter.com/drIetHXKlx
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) September 3, 2025
1. Stone looks to settle in as Wildcats' signal-caller
Two seasons ago, Braun commenced his tenure as then-interim head coach in a 24-7 loss at Rutgers on Sept. 3, 2023. The performance left much to be desired, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
But Braun and his group didn't hit the proverbial panic button. Instead, they stood true to their veteran passer in Ben Bryant and ultimately completed one of college football's greatest turnarounds that year, finishing 8-5 with a Las Vegas Bowl victory.
Now, the third-year head coach is leaning on past lessons following graduate student quarterback Preston Stone's five-turnover performance in the Big Easy.
"I'll be the first to tell you, [I'm] super competitive, super critical," Braun said. "Preston Stone embodies some similar qualities. It can be really easy to be so emotional after a tough loss, especially when you were so emotional and confident about your preparation going into the game, to spiral into panic. The reality is, as a program, we just need to take a deep breath."
Stone possesses a prime opportunity to settle back into his all-conference form that he displayed at SMU, as he'll face a Leatherneck defense that relented 231 passing yards and three passing touchdowns in Week 1 to Illinois. Fighting Illini quarterbacks completed 81.8% of their throws against Western Illinois this past weekend.
Although Stone struggled with ball security in Yulman Stadium, he demonstrated an early rapport with wide receiver Griffin Wilde. The South Dakota State transfer totaled 64 receiving yards on six catches, which were the most receptions by a Wildcat making his debut since at least 1995.
2. Pick your poison at running back
Offensive coordinator Zach Lujan has incorporated a trio of tailbacks into his early scheme: Cam Porter, Joseph Himon II and Caleb Komolafe.
At Tulane, backfield touches were split almost evenly between the three-time captain in Porter, the speedy Himon and the change-of-pace-back in Komolafe. Braun said he expects a similar trend to continue this upcoming week.
"All three will be utilized heavily," Braun said. "All three have unique skil lsets and need to be critical pieces to what we're doing as an offense."
In Week 1, Illinois gained 209 rushing yards on 37 carries against Western Illinois, good for 5.6 yards per rush. For Braun, establishing the run will be critical to success and controlling the tempo of Friday night's contest.
Braun also lauded the development of Komolafe, who received a career-high nine carries on Saturday.
"It's being an every-down back, his competitiveness, his maturity, his leadership, his commitment to special teams," Braun said. "Something that's shown up consistently in practice is his ability to make people miss, break tackles at the second and third levels that turn into explosive plays. He has the ability to not just be a consistent back, but an explosive one."
3. Akers' all-around special teams act to continue
When the Wildcats trotted out for their first field goal of the 2025 season, it was graduate student Luke Akers who lined up to put the ball through the uprights. Akers nailed the 21-yard field goal, scoring Northwestern's first points of the year.
As he did during the latter stretch of the 2024 season, Akers is set to handle both punts and kicks for the Wildcats this year.
Last season, Akers averaged a career-high 43.1 yards per punt while also converting 10-of-14 field goal attempts. His career long is 43 yards.
"[We] have to continue to manage to make sure we're putting him in a good situation in terms of the load that he's carrying as our starting punter," Braun said. "I was excited for Luke to see his first one go through the uprights. [He] did a great job punting the ball, exciting for him this season."
4. Scouting the Leathernecks
Braun and Western Illinois coach Joe Davis have long crossed paths in both coaching camps and time on the recruiting trail. The Wildcats coach said Davis' turnaround of the Leatherneck program has captured his full attention.
Davis took the job in 2023, with Western Illinois finishing 0-11. Last season, the Leathernecks improved to 4-8, which equaled as many wins as the program had accumulated in the previous five seasons, and ranked 16th in FCS averaging 427.5 yards per game.
"Full focus on a Western Illinois team that's on the rise," Braun said. "[Davis] did a really good job last year taking a program that was struggling and getting them to four wins. They've done a great job in their recruiting and their personnel and the talent they have on the roster is improving."
Western Illinois will likely start senior Chris Irvin at quarterback. The Idaho native began his career at Washington State and threw for 134 yards in his season opener.
From the Vault ? last matchup vs. Western Illinois on Sept. 20, 2014.
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) September 3, 2025
Ifeadi Odenigbo with a school-record 3 forced fumbles.
Justin Jackson scored the 2nd of his school-record 41 career rushing TDs. pic.twitter.com/WfIZn8HTY4
5. Matchup History
The Wildcats and the Leathernecks will face off for the second time Friday night. Northwestern won the teams' last meeting 24-7 on Sept. 20, 2014. Trevor Siemian accumulated 117 passing yards while Justin Jackson rushed for 94 yards and the second of his school-record 41 career rushing touchdowns in the previous matchup.
Since the 2005 season, Western Illinois has amassed a 1-21 record against FBS competition. The lone victory came against Northern Illinois in 2016, when the Leathernecks knocked off the Huskies 28-23 in DeKalb, Ill.
Western Illinois has gone 0-2 against Power Four opponents in the past two seasons.
Players Mentioned
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