Chiles accounts for five touchdowns as Northwestern overwhelms Colorado 41-7.
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern turned a rainy Saturday night into a statement victory, pulling away from Colorado for a 41-7 win behind a five-touchdown performance from quarterback Aidan Chiles. Chiles threw three touchdown passes to Joseph Himon II and added two rushing scores as the Wildcats improved to 2-0. Northwestern's offense repeatedly capitalized on Colorado mistakes, while its defense kept the Buffaloes from sustaining enough momentum to make the game competitive. Chiles completed 17 of 22 passes for 241 yards and now has seven touchdowns through his first two games with Northwestern. The senior transferred to the Wildcats after making 20 starts at Michigan State. His connection with Himon proved to be the difference. Himon caught three touchdown passes, covering 18, 25 and 3 yards. He finished with 46 receiving yards and added another 28 rushing yards, giving him four touchdowns on the season. "We worked on it all week," Chiles said. "We knew what we were gonna' get and we came out and executed."
Northwestern established control early after Colorado struggled to protect the football.
The Wildcats opened the scoring late in the first quarter when Chiles kept the ball and powered into the end zone from one yard out. The drive began after Colorado's Micah Welch lost a fumble at the Buffaloes' 44-yard line. Colorado had another costly turnover in the second quarter. Julian "JuJu" Lewis attempted to find Joseph Williams over the middle, but Northwestern's Braden Turner intercepted the pass at the Colorado 40-yard line. Two plays later, Chiles found Himon uncovered on the left side for an 18-yard touchdown, putting the Wildcats ahead 14-0. Colorado had an opportunity to respond, but Damian Henderson II was stopped short on a fourth-and-2 attempt at the Northwestern 28. Chiles then delivered another rushing touchdown just before halftime, scoring from three yards out with 59 seconds remaining to give Northwestern a 21-0 advantage. Colorado finally broke through early in the second half. Lewis connected with Williams near midfield, and Williams turned the reception into a 50-yard touchdown after racing down the right sideline. The score capped a 66-yard drive and cut Northwestern's lead to 21-7.
The momentum did not last long.
Northwestern answered when Chiles connected with Himon again, this time on a touchdown pass over the middle that restored the Wildcats' three-score advantage.
Himon completed his touchdown night with a 3-yard reception late in the third quarter, pushing Northwestern ahead 35-7. Jackson Kleather added two fourth-quarter field goals as the Wildcats closed out the victory.
Turnovers swing the game
Colorado finished with 348 total yards, compared with 423 for Northwestern, but the Buffaloes' early mistakes proved costly. Colorado committed three turnovers in the first half — two fumbles and an interception — with two of those giveaways immediately leading to Northwestern touchdowns. Lewis finished 19 of 29 for 168 yards and one touchdown. Williams led Colorado's receiving attack with 88 yards, while JaQuail Smith paced the Buffaloes on the ground with 91 rushing yards. Northwestern coach David Braun credited his defense for limiting the damage despite Colorado's ability to move the football. "Looking at yardage stats is for losers," Braun said. "At the end of the day, it does not dictate winning."
Braun said the Wildcats still have areas to improve, particularly their tackling.
The takeaway
Colorado: The Buffaloes showed flashes offensively but could not overcome three first-half turnovers. Lewis and the Colorado offense will now turn their attention toward Big 12 play.
Northwestern: Chiles and Himon established themselves as a dangerous combination, while the Wildcats' defense consistently took advantage of Colorado's mistakes. Northwestern also played its final game at 12,000-seat Martin Stadium, its on-campus home since 2024.
What's next
Colorado opens Big 12 play next Saturday at Baylor.
Northwestern begins its Big Ten schedule on the road against defending national champion Indiana.
