College Football · FBS · Week 1 · Recap
Northwestern Beat S Dakota St 34-18 as Griffin Wilde Goes for 104 Yards
The Northwestern Wildcats beat the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 34-18 at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, IL on Saturday, September 5, 2026 in FBS college football Week 1 action.
Northwestern led 10-6 at halftime. The fourth quarter swung it: Northwestern outscored its opponent 17-6.
Northwestern moves to 1-0, while S Dakota St falls to 1-1.
Top performers
Chase Mason (SDST, QB): 23/48, 285 YDS, 1 INT
Josiah Johnson (SDST, RB): 19 CAR, 79 YDS, 1 TD
Grahm Goering (SDST, WR): 9 REC, 117 YDS
Aidan Chiles (NU, QB): 14/24, 273 YDS, 1 TD
Joseph Himon II (NU, RB): 4 CAR, 87 YDS, 1 TD
Griffin Wilde (NU, WR): 3 REC, 104 YDS
Scoring summary
- Q1 11:42NUAlex Honig 11 Yd pass from Aidan Chiles0-7
- Q2 10:50SDSTTristan Alvano 21 Yd Field Goal3-7
- Q2 6:32NUJackson Kleather 36 Yd Field Goal3-10
- Q2 1:16SDSTTristan Alvano 33 Yd Field Goal6-10
- Q3 9:56SDSTTristan Alvano 27 Yd Field Goal9-10
- Q3 7:13NUCaleb Komolafe 7 Yd Run9-17
- Q3 2:16SDSTTristan Alvano 26 Yd Field Goal12-17
- Q4 13:32NUJackson Kleather 38 Yd Field Goal12-20
- Q4 8:16SDSTJosiah Johnson 2 Yd Run18-20
- Q4 4:34NUAidan Chiles 14 Yd Run18-27
- Q4 1:15NUJoseph Himon II 80 Yd Run18-34
Team stats
| SDST | NU | |
|---|---|---|
| Total yards | 432 | 497 |
| First downs | 27 | 19 |
| Third down | 8-20 | 5-12 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Possession | 34:08 | 25:52 |