They did it. They finally did it. In what was likely the program’s final football game at the historic ballpark (at least for the foreseeable future), Northwestern finally exorcised its Wrigley Field demons.
In a game that perfectly encapsulated their season, the Northwestern Wildcats (6-5, 4-4 B1G) showcased a package of immense resilience, offensive firepower and concerning flaws, all within the same four-quarter, 73-point thriller at Wrigley Field. Their 38-35 victory over the Minnesota Golden
Gophers (6-5, 4-4 B1G) was their first-ever win at the Friendly Confines, fittingly serving as their ticket to the postseason and as validation for the character this team has exemplified all season long.
Here are three takeaways from a monumental win for David Braun’s squad.
1. The offense truly clicked at last…and it was historic
For much of the 2025 season, Northwestern’s identity has been its defense, while the offense has struggled with consistency, red-zone execution and self-inflicted wounds. On Saturday, the script was flipped in spectacular fashion.
The ‘Cats offense didn’t just show up. It delivered its most complete and statistically dominant performance of the Braun era. A huge part of that was seeing the version of Preston Stone that a lot of fans were expecting from the get go.
We might’ve even seen an ascendant iteration of the NU field general. The graduate quarterback was nearly flawless, completing 25-of-30 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns. Most impressively, he was a perfect 15 for 15 in the second half, leading the comeback and tying a program record for completions.
His connection with his receivers was almost telepathic, as Griffin Wilde (11 receptions, 111 yds, 1 touchdown) and Hayden Eligon II (seven receptions, 127 yards) became the first Northwestern duo to each eclipse 100 receiving yards in the same game since 2013. The ground game was equally potent, led by Caleb Komolafe. He’s owned the RB1 role like it was always his throughout this season and did so again in this one.
Komolafe rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown, adding a receiving score to become the first Wildcat since 2005 with both a rushing and receiving TD in a 100-yard rushing game. The offensive line was the unsung hero, keeping Stone’s jersey “clean all day” and creating massive holes for a rushing attack that amassed 177 yards.
This wasn’t a one-dimensional win. It was a balanced, explosive and historic offensive outburst that totaled 525 yards. That’s the second-most ever under Braun.
Offensive coordinator Zach Lujan finally showed a willingness to adjust mid-game, and the results speak for themselves. When this offense is operating at this level, it proves Northwestern can compete with anyone in the Big Ten.
2. The flaws must be fixed, but this team’s identity is resilience
The path to victory was anything but easy. While the offense did soar, the win also exposed definite weaknesses and deficiencies that nearly cost Northwestern the game. These could prove fatal against a team like Illinois or in a bowl game.
After building an early 10-0 lead, Northwestern saw it evaporate and then some, finding itself down 28-13 in the third quarter.
Why? Most glaringly, the special teams unit was a disaster. It single-handedly kept Minnesota in the game, ceding a staggering 242 combined kick and punt return yards.
Koi Perich’s 93-yard kickoff return set up one score and Chase Farrell’s muffed punt directly led to another touchdown that put NU in a 15-point hole. This is less impactful when your offense responds with 22 unanswered points, sure, but these are not just minor miscues. They are catastrophic errors that hand significant momentum and easy points to the opponent.
In years past, these are moments where the team folded, and a less hardwearing team would likely not be able to overcome them. The special teams has been NU’s least effective unit all season, and Saturday was the low point.
Similarly, the defense was picked apart by Minnesota first-year quarterback Drake Lindsey. The secondary, which started the season as a relative strength, was systematically dissected by a freshman signal-caller. After a strong start, the defensive backfield looked lost for long stretches, allowing Lindsey to throw for 264 yards and a career-high four touchdowns.
The DBs struggled to cover crossing routes and seemed consistently a step behind Minnesota’s receivers, particularly Javon Tracy, who hauled in three scores. The pass rush generated some pressure, but when it didn’t get home, Lindsey had his way. These coverage breakdowns and inability to find the ball in the air allowed Minnesota to score almost at will for much of the game, a concerning trend after recent performances against USC and Nebraska.
Yet, the ultimate takeaway is that this team has developed remarkable resilience. In past years, the special teams blunders or defensive lapses would have sunk them. This team, however, possesses a next-play mentality that Braun has instilled.
They never panicked, even when down two scores in the second half, a credit to the culture this team clearly has bought in to. The offense answered the bell every time the defense or special teams stumbled. And while it did get battered, the defense did get critical stops when it mattered, including on the final series to preserve the win.
This “punch back” mentality is the Wildcats’ defining characteristic, but they are walking a tightrope. Relying on the offense to score 38 points to win each week is unsustainable, and cleaning up these glaring errors will be the difference between simply making a bowl game and potentially winning one.
3. A fond, final farewell to a “home” that never was
Saturday’s win was the perfect bookend to the Wrigley era: a thrilling, cathartic victory that provides a happy memory to overshadow the previous futility. At the same time, it also underscored why this experiment, while fun, needed to end.
As a Chicagoan and a die-hard Cubs fan, being on the field as credentialed media for the Michigan game and attending the Minnesota triumph with my dad as a fan was incredibly special. The atmosphere was undeniably cool, and in my opinion, there is certainly a place for Wrigley to regularly host football (new bowl game, anyone?). Unfortunately though, it was never a true home for Northwestern.
The fan splits told the real story, as The Friendly Confines continued to be not-so-friendly for the Wildcats. Michigan felt like a sold-out road game, a sea of maize and blue. This was to be expected.
However against Minnesota, despite a smaller crowd, the gold and maroon contingent was overwhelmingly loud as well. I’d estimate both games were at an 80-20 away-home ratio. “Chicago’s Big Ten Team” is a solid marketing slogan, but the reality is that Chicagoland is a melting pot of every other Big Ten alumni base.
For those fans, and honestly for many of the Northwestern faithful as well, a game at Wrigley is a destination, a gimmick, a reason to fly in. This fact is underscored by FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff at the Michigan game treating it as a neutral-site spectacle.
This win allows Northwestern to move on with no regrets. The ’Cats got their victory. They have the memory. But this team is ready for a real home.
The new Ryan Field looks so, so cool, and its intimate, state-of-the-art design promises an environment that this resilient, hard-nosed team can truly make its own. The temporary chapter is closed (optimistically pending construction completion), and the future in Evanston looks all the more bright.
The Bottom Line
Northwestern earned this victory and its bowl bid through sheer will and an offensive explosion. It was a program-defining win that validates the direction under David Braun and takes him off the hot seat for now.
However, the celebration must be tempered by the reality that the special teams and secondary play has been extremely disappointing as of late. The ‘Cats have proven they can overcome their flaws, but fixing them is the key to not just going to a bowl, but winning one.
