RED ZONE DEFENSE.
Northwestern (1-0) began its season with a 34-18 victory over FCS South Dakota State (1-1) to start the Chip Kelly era. The Wildcats’ red zone defense held strong, forcing four field goals and allowing just one touchdown in five red zone trips for the Jackrabbits.
In his Northwestern debut, Aidan Chiles went 14-of-24 for 273 yards with both a passing and rushing score. Griffin Wilde caught three passes for 104 yards, while Joseph Himon II and Caleb Komolafe each scored on the ground.
Northwestern’s offense had 497 total yards. Robert Fitzgerald had 14 total tackles, picking up where he left off last season.
Chase Mason went 23-of-48 for 285 yards and an interception, plus 39 yards rushing for South Dakota State. Josiah Johnson ran for 79 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, and Grahm Goering had nine catches for 117 yards.
South Dakota State started on offense, picked up a first down and then stalled at midfield. LB Braydon Brus picked up a TFL against SDSU QB Chase Mason, which led to a fourth down. The Jackrabbits punted, giving Northwestern its first possession from its own 18-yard line.
QB Aidan Chiles began his Northwestern career with a 71-yard play-action STRIKE to WR Griffin Wilde. On the next play, Chiles found TE Alex Honig in the end zone to get the Wildcats on the board just like that. Northwestern took an early 7-0 lead in the Chip Kelly offense.
SDSU and Northwestern traded failed drives, followed by Mason throwing an interception to DB Damon Walters; the first forced turnover for Northwestern in 2026. The Wildcats couldn’t capitalize on the turnover and had to punt back to the Jackrabbits. Mason began SDSU’s next drive by getting them into Northwestern territory for the first time before the clock then ran out, ending the first quarter. The Wildcats led 7-0 with the lone touchdown of the game being a Honig touchdown reception.
To start the second quarter, the Jackrabbits got into a goal-to-go situation, but the Northwestern defense held strong, forcing a field goal try that got South Dakota State on the board to make it 7-3. The ensuing drive for Northwestern began with two consecutive first downs: a Honig reception and a RB Gavin Sawchuk run. Facing pressure on a third down, Chiles was able to check it down to Caleb Komolafe, who picked up 25 yards. Northwestern got into the red zone, but SDSU’s defense forced a fourth down, forcing a field goal kick that put the Wildcats up 10-3.
South Dakota State and Northwestern traded punts, but an 18-yard punt from Nikola Dugandzic gave the Jackrabbits prime field position. They were able to get into the red zone with two consecutive first downs, but the Wildcats red zone defense held South Dakota State to a field goal for the second time. Neither team could get anything going in the two-minute drill as the game went into the half with Northwestern up 10-6.
Northwestern opened the second half with a 10-yard punt, giving South Dakota State the ball on the NU 26-yard line. The Wildcats defense bent but didn’t break, and the Jackrabbits made another field goal to cut the NU lead to just one. On Northwestern’s next drive, C Jackson Carsello went down on the first play and needed to be stretchered off the field on a backboard as well. He did give a thumbs up to the crowd as he was wheeled off to a standing ovation.
After the injury break, Chiles connected with WR Drew Wagner for a 22-yard gain, then TE Luke Dehnicke for a 35-yard gain, and finally Komolafe punched it in from seven yards out for Northwestern’s second touchdown of the night.
After the Wildcats’ touchdown, Mason started slinging it, getting the Jackrabbits into field goal range once again. They got into the red zone, but Northwestern’s defense once again held them to a field goal. K Tristan Alvano made his fourth field goal of the night to make it 17-12 Northwestern.
The Wildcats started their next drive off hot, getting into field goal range quickly as the third quarter came to an end. K Jackson Kleather made his second field goal of the game to give Northwestern a 20-12 lead. South Dakota State once again drove into the red zone, except Johnson was able to find the end zone this time. The Jackrabbits tried a double-pass on the 2-point conversion to tie, but failed. Northwestern remained in the lead 20-18.
Northwestern on its next drive answered back, with Chiles using his legs to score his first rushing touchdown of the season and put the Wildcats up two scores. Northwestern led 27-18 with 4:34 left in the game. South Dakota State reached midfield, trying to score to stay in it as the game hit the two-minute timeout. Northwestern forced a South Dakota State field goal attempt, and Alvano missed from 38 yards out. On Northwestern’s first play following the missed kick, Joseph Himon II sealed the deal with an 80-yard rushing touchdown.
South Dakota State didn’t score again, and Northwestern sealed the 34-18 victory for its first of the season.
