Northwestern quarterback Aiden Chiles runs with the ball during the Wildcats’ 41-7 win over Colorado on Sept. 19. Aanya Gupta/The Daily Northwestern
With a new, state-of-the-art stadium set to open, new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly running the offense and a promising transfer quarterback, things look very different for Northwestern in 2026.?
Those changes prompted head coach David Braun to enter the season boldly proclaiming a “new era” for the Wildcats.?
Through two games, Northwestern has backed it up, scoring 75 points so far, the program’s most since 2013. Senior quarterback Aidan Chiles has been a dynamic addition after transferring from Michigan State, throwing for four touchdowns and rushing for three more. Chiles has developed quick chemistry with 2025 All-Big Ten Third Team senior wide receiver Griffin Wilde, who leads the Wildcats in receiving yards.
Northwestern’s running game is its true offensive strength, led by a three-headed monster of redshirt junior Caleb Komolafe, graduate student Joseph Himon II and graduate student Gavin Sawchuk. All three backs are capable of taking over games, as demonstrated by Himon’s recent three-receiving touchdown performance against Colorado.
Defensively, the Wildcats have forced five turnovers. They have also been stellar in the red zone, allowing just one touchdown in eight chances. Graduate student safety Robert Fitzgerald is the leader of that group, and he currently leads the Big Ten with 12.5 tackles per game.
The Wildcats opened with a 34-18 win over South Dakota State, pulling away late, before a Week 2 bye. Northwestern then trounced Colorado 41-7, in one of the most lopsided games of the Braun era.
The final scores have looked more dominant than the games have felt, and there are certainly areas for improvement. After being one of the least penalized teams in the country the past two years, the Wildcats have racked up 17 penalties already.?
Upcoming in-conference tests will reveal just how legit Northwestern’s offensive revival is, starting with Friday’s matchup on the road at No. 5 Indiana. The rest of the schedule is brutal, but the Wildcats have a lot to be excited about as they prepare to open new Ryan Field.
