Chiles Debuts, Himon Breaks Away as Northwestern Holds Off South Dakota State 34-18
Photos by: Jessica Choragwicki
Northwestern's season opener turned into a four-quarter test. South Dakota State ran more plays, picked up more first downs and held the ball longer on Saturday night at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, but the Wildcats held firm in the red zone and pulled away late for a 34-18 win in front of 9,574 fans in Evanston.
The night also marked the Northwestern debut of quarterback Aidan Chiles, who arrived after 20 starts at Michigan State, and the first game with Chip Kelly calling plays as the Wildcats' offensive coordinator.
Game Flow Recap: Field Goals Keep the Jackrabbits Close
Northwestern struck first. Griffin Wilde's 71-yard catch set up an 11-yard touchdown pass from Chiles to Alex Honig with 11:42 left in the first quarter.
South Dakota State answered with its kicker. Tristan Alvano hit field goals from 21 and 33 yards in the second quarter around a 36-yarder from Northwestern's Jackson Kleather, and the Wildcats took a 10-6 lead into halftime.
Alvano added two more in the third quarter, from 27 and 26 yards, while Caleb Komolafe's 7-yard touchdown run kept Northwestern in front at 17-12 heading into the fourth.
Star Performer: Aidan Chiles
Chiles completed 14 of 24 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown in his first game in purple, and added 18 rushing yards and a score on the ground. Wilde was his top target with three catches for 104 yards.
On the other side, Jackrabbits quarterback Chase Mason threw for a career-high 285 yards, and Grahm Goering caught nine passes for 117 yards. Northwestern's Robert Fitzgerald led all players with 14 tackles.
Turning Point: A Stop at Two, Then Two Quick Scores
After a Kleather field goal made it 20-12, South Dakota State drove 75 yards and Josiah Johnson punched it in from 2 yards out with 8:16 left. The Jackrabbits went for two to tie the game, but the try was intercepted, leaving Northwestern up 20-18.
The Wildcats answered with a drive of nearly four minutes, capped when Chiles ran a draw 14 yards for a touchdown on third-and-1. After Alvano missed a 38-yard field goal, Joseph Himon II broke an 80-yard touchdown run on the very next play to put it away.
The defense was the reason Northwestern was in position to close. South Dakota State got inside the Northwestern 25 seven times and came away with just one touchdown, including three straight incompletions from the 8. Head coach David Braun said his team found a way not to break.
What It Means
Northwestern opens 1-0 and has now won four straight home openers. The Wildcats have a bye week before hosting Colorado on September 19, billed as their final game at Martin Stadium.
South Dakota State falls to 1-1 and returns home to host New Haven on September 12.
