Northwestern’s final game at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium could hardly have gone better.
The ‘Cats dominated Colorado 41-7, putting together a complete performance in the final game of their two-year-plus stay at the temporary stadium on the lakefront. Aidan Chiles accounted for five touchdowns, Joe Himon II caught three touchdown passes, and Northwestern’s defense forced four turnovers as the ‘Cats controlled the game from start to finish.
After calling the temporary stadium home
for the past two seasons and the first two games of this season, Northwestern closed out its time on the lakefront with a performance fitting for its final game there.
Chiles set the tone early. The senior quarterback finished 17-of-22 passing for 241 yards and three touchdowns while adding two more scores on the ground. He consistently found ways to extend plays with his legs while keeping Colorado’s defense off balance through the air.
Through two games, Chiles has already given Northwestern an element it can build around. Defenses have to account for him as both a passer and a runner, creating opportunities for the rest of the offense. When Chiles keeps the ball, he can turn a broken play into a first down. When defenses commit to stopping his legs, he has the arm to make them pay.
That was on display throughout Saturday’s win. Chiles escaped pressure, created plays outside the pocket and continued to make throws downfield while also finding the end zone twice with his legs.
Himon was the biggest beneficiary. All three of his catches went for touchdowns, giving him three scores on 46 receiving yards.
For head coach David Braun, Chiles’ performance was another example of the quarterback’s continued growth within the offense. Braun pointed to the work Chiles puts in throughout the week and the willingness of the quarterback to keep taking coaching from the staff.
“The one thing I really appreciate about Aidan, Chip [Kelly] and Jerry [Neuheisel] is that Aidan is showing up each day and is getting coached very hard,” Braun said. “I was proud of his playmaking ability and poise. Just really excited about him continuing to grow in this offense.”
Chiles echoed that sentiment after the game.
“The job is never finished. You want to be coached. I know they put trust in me, and I will keep trusting them,” Chiles said.
That trust showed up throughout the afternoon. When Colorado brought pressure, Chiles was able to escape and create with his legs. When the Buffaloes gave him room to throw, he consistently found openings downfield. And when Northwestern needed to finish drives, Chiles could do it himself.
The ‘Cats also left some plays on the field. Himon appeared to break free for an almost 80-yard touchdown run, but a holding penalty brought the play back. Northwestern committed eight penalties for 60 yards overall, giving Colorado opportunities that the Buffaloes were unable to capitalize on.
The defense made sure of that.
Northwestern forced four turnovers and stopped Colorado on fourth down three times, repeatedly ending drives before the Buffaloes could build any momentum. Colorado managed 180 rushing yards, but Northwestern’s defense continued to come up with the plays it needed as the game moved further out of reach.
With the game firmly in hand, Northwestern had time to appreciate what the night represented.
For the players who have spent the past two-plus seasons in the temporary stadium, Saturday marked the end of a strange but memorable chapter. Northwestern had to find a new home while its future stadium was being constructed, and the lakefront became the backdrop for more than two seasons of football.
Himon, who experienced that entire transition, said the team is ready for what comes next.
“We are ready and excited to have the support and fans come out to watch us. We loved the past two seasons in the temporary stadium,” Himon said.
Braun has been intentional about making sure the transition to a new stadium does not mean starting over.
He said the program should continue to carry its history forward, rather than treating the current team as something separate from what came before it.
“I think people can get caught up in saying this is my program. There is so much history around this football program that we should have reverence for,” Braun said. “I’ve really tried to find ways to embed things that are best from Northwestern football.”
That history now includes the two-plus seasons Northwestern spent on the lakefront.
And the ‘Cats gave their temporary home a final performance worthy of remembering.
The rain that had mostly stayed away throughout the night finally arrived late, after Northwestern had already put the game away. The outcome was decided, the starters were beginning to leave the field and the final minutes played out with the ‘Cats firmly in control.
It was a fitting final scene for a stadium that was never supposed to be Northwestern’s permanent home but became part of the program’s history for more than two seasons.
Braun knew what the night meant.
“We definitely sent the stadium out the right way,” Braun said. “It has been a special few years. Only at Northwestern could you pull off something like this. Our facilities team has a heart of service and works very hard to make sure our guys have a place to play.”
Now, the temporary stadium is part of Northwestern’s past. The New Ryan Field is next.
For a program that just closed one unusual chapter, Braun believes the next one is already beginning.
“With our leadership, there is no doubt that we are just getting started,” Braun said.
