Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles threw three touchdown passes to Joseph Himon II and ran for two scores, leading the Wildcats to a 41-7 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes at Martin Stadium. The performance pushed Northwestern to a dominant start as the program prepares to open the new Ryan Field.
Chiles and Himon Fuel Northwestern Offense
Aidan Chiles completed 17 of 22 passes for 241 yards, bringing his season total to seven touchdowns through his first two games with the Wildcats. Chiles, a senior transfer who previously made 20 starts for Michigan State, added two rushing touchdowns, including a score from the Colorado 3-yard line just before halftime that extended Northwestern’s lead to 21-0. Running back Joseph Himon II caught scoring passes of 18, 25, and 3 yards, finishing the evening with 46 receiving yards and 28 rushing yards.
“There were some plays that definitely went off script, but his athleticism and his ability to keep his eyes downfield—that’s really hard to defend,” Northwestern head coach David Braun said of his quarterback.
Northwestern capitalized on early Colorado mistakes in the first half to build a commanding lead. Micah Welch lost a fumble at the Colorado 44-yard line late in the first quarter, setting up Chiles’ first rushing touchdown. In the second quarter, Braden Turner intercepted a pass intended for Joseph Williams, leading directly to the first scoring connection between Chiles and Himon.
Colorado Struggles with Turnovers and Field Position
Colorado quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis completed 19 of 29 passes for 168 yards and one touchdown, connecting with Joseph Williams for an 88-yard performance that included a 50-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. JaQuail Smith led the Buffaloes on the ground with 91 rushing yards, helping Colorado accumulate 348 yards of total offense compared to Northwestern’s 423 yards.
Despite outgaining the Wildcats early, the Buffaloes were hindered by three first-half turnovers—two fumbles and an interception—which allowed Northwestern to convert field position into quick points. The Buffaloes suffered their first defeat of the season after securing early wins against Georgia Tech and Weber State.
“Focusing on yardage stats is for losers,” Braun noted regarding the total yardage differential, emphasizing his defense’s ability to force turnovers and prevent points despite yielding yardage. Kicker Jackson Kleather contributed two fourth-quarter field goals and five extra points to secure the 41-7 final score.
Stadium Finale and Upcoming Schedule
Saturday’s matchup marked the final game at Martin Stadium on the Northwestern campus. The Wildcats will officially open the newly constructed 35,000-seat Ryan Field on Friday, October 2, hosting Penn State.
