A misty evening descended on Northwestern’s last game at Martin Stadium, with occasional rain adding to the setting for the Wildcats’ farewell to the temporary stadium. Despite the conditions, Northwestern’s defense took advantage, snagging a commanding 41-7 win over Colorado in Evanston before a crowd of 12,023.
Opportunistic plays were key for the Wildcats, who secured three of their four turnovers in the first half and built a 21-point halftime lead. Braden Turner and Ore Adeyi each intercepted passes, while Robert Fitzgerald and Braydon Brus recovered fumbles. The Wildcats’ defense effectively halted Colorado’s attempts, stopping them on all three of their fourth-down tries. Though the Buffaloes gained 348 yards, they scored only once in the third quarter.
Brus emphasized the defense’s focus, stating, "A big part of our defense is what we call TNT: Tackling and takeaways. We emphasize it all week during practice."
On offense, quarterback Aidan Chiles excelled, completing 17 of 22 passes for 241 yards with three touchdowns, alongside two rushing scores. Running back Joseph Himon II caught all three touchdown passes, totaling 46 receiving yards and adding 28 rushing yards. Wide receiver Griffin Wilde contributed five catches for 85 yards.
We definitely sent it out the right way,Northwestern coach David Braun said, expressing gratitude for the operations team involved with the temporary stadium. He described the transition to the new Ryan Field, set for Oct. 2 against Penn State, as exciting.
A video by a Daily Northwestern journalist captured Colorado players using expletives about the stadium prior to the game. However, as the game progressed and became a one-sided affair, they were the ones silenced.
The win came as Braun received a contract extension through 2031, marking him 21-19 in his role. Looking ahead, Braun voiced confidence in the university’s leadership and a bright future for Northwestern, especially with the incoming new stadium.
Northwestern’s offense, revamped under new coordinator Chip Kelly, gained 423 yards. The early bye week may not have been their preference, but it kept the team focused for Colorado.
Northwestern struck first with Chiles running a 1-yard touchdown late in the first quarter. Crucial to this drive was Michael Kilbane forcing a fumble, which Fitzgerald recovered on the Colorado 44. Despite some defensive penalties, they managed to keep the drive alive.
Offensive challenges included losing tackle Ezomo Oratokhai to injury in the first quarter, after which he was transported off the field. The Wildcats seized another turnover when Damian Henderson II of Colorado fumbled, retrieved by Brus at the NU 20. Although penalties hindered the following drive, Northwestern scored when Turner intercepted Julian Lewis, setting up an 18-yard touchdown from Chiles to Himon.
The defense continued to stifle Colorado, highlighted by Brus’s tackle for a loss on a fourth-and-2. In the third quarter, Colorado’s only touchdown came after a Northwestern fumble led to a 50-yard play by Joseph Williams.
In response, Northwestern executed a 60-yard drive capped by Chiles’ 25-yard pass to Himon. Wilde’s efforts contributed to another scoring drive, ending with Himon’s third touchdown.
Reflecting on the game, Chiles acknowledged, "We worked on it all week. We knew what to expect and executed well." Himon added, "Playing here by the lake has been special, but we’re eager to get back to the new stadium."
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