For the first time ever, Northwestern football was able to hold onto a victory at Wrigley Field. Not only that, but Preston Stone had his best game as a Wildcat, earning the B1G Co-Offensive Player of the Week award, shared with Penn State running back Kaytron Allen. Zach Lujan’s offense scored its most points ever with him at offensive coordinator in a Big Ten game as well. While I could go on and on about how big of a win this was for Northwestern as it gained bowl eligibility, this is a film review.
Therefore, it’s time to take a look at the numbers behind NU’s high-scoring victory.
The Numbers
Stone had his best game of the season hands down. He was 25-of-30 passing for 305 yards and two touchdown passes while adding another 28 yards on the ground. His 305 passing yards is his highest total this season and third-highest in his college career. In the second half alone, Stone was 15-of-15 for 174 passing yards and those two touchdown throws. Of all FBS quarterbacks with 11 or more drop backs in Week 13, Stone was the third-highest graded on offense with a 91.2 PFF offensive grade. His PFF passing grade of 90.0 put him at fifth-highest in the country, while his 75.2 PFF rushing grade was the 10th best of all quarterbacks who met the drop back threshold I mentioned previously. Stone had three PFF big-time throws, which matched his number from a week ago. The only difference was that NU went on to win this game.
Caleb Komolafe had a good showing in a bounce-back week after struggling to get going against Michigan. He had 22 carries for 129 yards rushing and a touchdown on the ground while also hauling in a two-yard touchdown reception. Komolafe is the first Northwestern running back since 2005 to rush for 100+ yards and score both a rushing and receiving touchdown. His 129 rushing yards against Minnesota was a new career high for the redshirt sophomore too. Joseph Himon II only had seven carries, but he turned that into 47 yards on the ground and his first touchdown of the season off a 20-yard carry.
Griffin Wilde and Hayden Eligon II became the first Wildcat wide receiver duo in the last 12 years to each go for over 100 yards. Wilde caught 11 passes for 111 yards and a receiving touchdown, posting an 81.5 PFF offensive grade (third B1G WRs, 16th FBS WRs) that included an 81.6 PFF receiving grade (second B1G WRs, 13th FBS WRs), while Eligon had seven catches for a team-high 127 receiving yards, posting a 76.2 PFF offensive grade (ninth B1G WRs, 42nd FBS WRs) that included a 77.6 PFF receiving grade (eighth B1G WRs, 29th FBS WRs). Both receivers had their best games of the season with it being Wilde’s best in the FBS and Eligon’s best in his career. Ricky Ahumaraeze and Hunter Welcing were also good, with the former catching two passes for 39 yards and the latter hauling in three passes for 29 yards.
The offensive line was also phenomenal. Caleb Tiernan posted a career-best 90.8 PFF pass blocking grade, which was the highest in the FBS in Week 13 out of all offensive lineman and the 13th highest pass blocking grade for an o-lineman all season. On the opposite side of the left tackle Tiernan, Martes Lewis posted a career-high of his own with an 88.2 PFF pass blocking grade, tied for 13th best this week. What makes this all the more impressive is that Minnesota came into Week 13 with 33 sacks. The Golden Gophers did sack Stone once, which puts them at 34 on the season, tying them for the eighth-most this season. Enough with the numbers, it’s time for the juicy stuff. The film!
The Good
Northwestern’s offense was churning, especially in the second half when the ‘Cats came back from down 15 with under 13 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Stone, Komolafe, Wilde, Eligon, Tiernan and Lewis all had career-best games or season-best games. While it is a bit concerning that the defense gave up 35 points, the offense scored 38 and outgunned Minnesota by 202 yards (525 to 323 on offense).
Everyday is leg day
Komolafe and Himon each scored long rushing touchdowns. Both backs, when in the open field, are very hard to catch up to and bring down. When their legs are churning, it’s a hard ask to stop them.
Not even three minutes into the game and Komolafe found himself off to the races. Ezomo Oratokhai helped Lawson Albright stop the defenders slanting right as the left guard was on a pull block and ended up in the middle. Jackson Carsello and Lewis made the block in the close second level to give Komolafe space to extend the play. Then, Ahumaraeze had the final big block as Komolafe made the defenders miss with a gorgeous juke move and it was then green grass ahead. Big early run for “The Beast” at Wrigley.
You can teach technique. Hard-work can get you better and better. One thing you can’t teach is speed. Himon reaches his top speed so fast on this play as takes the outside run that nobody on Minnesota’s defense was even close to laying a hand on him. Tiernan, Evan Beerntsen and Oratokhai all set up the wide open area of the field with their blocks at the line of scrimmage as Himon bursts free for his first touchdown of the 2025 season.
Ignore the fumble at the end of the play as it luckily travelled out of bounds. The play made by Koi Perich deserves a lot of credit for sure. However, the ball was punched out after Komolafe gained 43 yards. Similarly to on Komolafe’s 46-yard touchdown run, Oratokhai is the puller and he does an excellent job of opening up the right-side B-gap that was pushed left with the blocking scheme. Once Komolafe gets past the line, he makes another picture-perfect juke as it was daylight from there. Obviously he did have the ball punched out like I mentioned earlier, but All-American caliber players like Perich are going to make plays like this from time to time.
Where the Wilde things are
Ol’ reliable. Mr. reliable. You name it. After being held to just nine total catches over his last three games, Wilde came through big time as there was a clear plan: get the ball to 17.
I could honestly put all of Wilde’s 11 catches on this film review. The reason I pick this play first is because of what Stone does. Northwestern’s signal caller is known more as a pocket passer with the occasional ability to extend plays and scramble. That’s why I love a well-executed bootleg, especially from number eight. After faking the handoff to his left side, Stone rolls out to his right to find Wilde as he comes back to the ball. Even with a man closely trailing, Wilde’s route running here was flawless as he gave Stone a wide-open target to throw to. Stone layers the pass over the head of the flat defender covering Welcing as Wilde caught his fifth pass of the day here.
While not exactly a bootleg, I still love a good rollout. After faking the handoff to Robby Preckel, Stone delivers a rocket into Wilde while rolling to his right. He releases the ball while on the run and off of his front foot, but the throw was all you could ask for as it hit Wilde right in the numbers. Another example of the connection these two have developed this season.
The legend of the number 80
Before Eligon donned No. 80, it was Donny Navarro III to last wear it in 2022. Before that, it was Trey Pugh from 2017 to 2021. Prior to Pugh, it was Austin Carr from 2014 to 2016. Mike Jensen wore it from 2010 to 2013, while Brendan Mitchell had it from 2007 to 2009. Safe to say, the number 80 hasn’t had the biggest names in Northwestern football in the 21st century. That’s all history though as Eligon just had his breakout game and looks like a budding star.
After Northwestern muffed a punt that resulted in Minnesota scoring right after, the ‘Cats needed to get the offense up and running. Eligon kickstarted the second half bullet train that was NU. After snapping the ball in the gun, Stone dropped back as Lewis was beat by Golden Gophers edge rusher Karter Menz (5.5 sacks this season). With Menz on essentially a free rush to Stone, the quarterback didn’t flinch whatsoever as he flung it across to a cutting Eligon, who turned upfield for a gain of 38 yards that gave Northwestern some much-needed momentum.
Two plays after the previous clip, the ‘Cats had another first down. This time with the ball being snapped from the left hash, Stone faked the handoff before taking a couple steps back and uncorking one down the left sideline to Eligon, who had a one-on-one. Eligon won the battle with first-year cornerback Jai’Onte’ McMillan as he adjusted his body to make the catch, keeping both feet in bounds for a gain of 23. The in-air adjustment made by the wide receiver was textbook.
The third clip showcasing Eligon (and Stone like most of these have done) came on the ‘Cats go-ahead drive late in the game. After losing 3 yards on the previous play, NU stuck to the passing game as Stone faked the handoff to draw defenders towards the run before tossing it over Za’Quan Bryan’s head and to the right sideline where Eligon played his toe drag swag card to make the catch in bounds while falling. Once again, a perfectly placed pass from Stone and an even better grab by Eligon.
RICKY!
I had to include this play. I just had to.
Stone did everything you could ask for and more. At first, none of his guys are open. Stone’s trusty offensive line keeps the pocket clean to allow the quarterback to wait for someone to come free. That man who came open was Ahumaraeze. Starting at the top of the screen on the left side of the field, Ahumaraeze runs a deep crossing route as Stone tells him to keep going. He lofts the ball from close to the left hash all the way outside of the numbers on near the opposite sideline. Ahumaraeze makes the catch as he had a bit of separation, but the play from Stone was just picture perfect.
Taking it himself
Stone used his legs to great lengths in this game to go along with his stellar passing performance. Not only that, but Ryan Boe made a few appearances as well, which included some big time runs.
This run from Boe was huge for the ‘Cats. There have been flashes of his skills as a ball carrier this season dating all the way back to his Week 2 rushing touchdown against Western Illinois. Boe has been used sparingly in the offense with almost all of those plays being runs, and here was no different. After keeping the ball on what looks to be a read option, Boe pushes the defender in space right past him as he jukes and turns upfield. With some open space ahead, he puts his head down and goes for the first down marker before taking a massive hit. No pain, no gain.
Apparently, Stone has a hidden talent of being a magician. He snaps the ball with 7:43 on the clock. He was tackled with 7:32 to go. This play was obviously supposed to be a pass. With the pocket holding up for over five seconds, a lane opened up that was too good to pass up. Stone tucked it and ran as he was down just before the first down marker. This was the play though that really kickstarted Northwestern’s game-winning drive.
After a false start penalty followed by a rush that went for 0 yards, Stone’s number was called on. This play may have been a pass, but it looks more like a QB draw. After taking the snap in the shotgun, Stone runs straight up the middle before being sent airborne and into a defender as he reaches top speed. The gain of 12 on the play here helped set Jack Olsen up with an easier field goal that ended up being the game-winner.
An experienced Hunter
I know, I know. “Charlie, you’ve shown 12 plays already.” Well, here’s lucky number 13.
This play has gravity. This was the play where Northwestern got into range to kick a go-ahead field goal and possibly win the game to secure a bowl game bid. Out of the two-minute timeout, Stone hits Welcing on a third-and-10 just short of the line-to-gain. However, the tight end powers his way forward, breaking the first tackle before dragging four defenders down to the ground with him as he picked up the first down that would later result in a field goal. A huge play from an emerging tight end in a clutch-as-can-be moment.
The Bad
By no means was this game perfect. However, with the way it ended and the way the game played out, I can’t put anything in “The Bad” this week as “The Good” section completely takes the spotlight. The Wildcats’ special teams play needs to improve though, even though Olsen was fantastic once again.
Final Thoughts
Northwestern has had many of its games this season come down to late-game scenarios. Not just that, but when momentum tends to get away from the ‘Cats, comebacks have been hard to come by. At The Friendly Confines, Stone and company weathered the storm and turned what seemed like it was trending towards a blowout loss into one of the best games of Week 13 that resulted in a 38-35 victory. There a reason I picked so many clips: this game was an offensive showcase and there wasn’t much to be disappointed with. With the Land of Lincoln Trophy up for grabs in Rivalry Week, NU needs to use its momentum gained from beating Minnesota in a game with 848 total yards on offense and 1,143 all-purpose yards when including kick returns and punt returns. The ‘Cats will be going bowling!
