Aidan Chiles Throws for TD in Debut as Northwestern Rallies Past FCS South Dakota State 34-18
Aidan Chiles threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns, and Northwestern’s defense held South Dakota State to one touchdown in seven red-zone trips.
- On Saturday, Northwestern defeated FCS South Dakota State 34-18 at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois, in a season-opening victory. Quarterback Aidan Chiles made his debut for the Wildcats.
- Former Oregon and NFL coach Chip Kelly directed a remodeled offensive unit that amassed 497 yards in his first contest. Bursts from the offense bookended the win, establishing a promising start for 2026.
- Chiles threw for 273 yards and a touchdown in his debut, while the Wildcats' defense limited South Dakota State to one touchdown in seven red zone attempts. The unit prevented the Jackrabbits from capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
- Trailing 20-18 after a late touchdown, the Jackrabbits failed a crucial two-point conversion. Northwestern then secured victory with a 14-yard draw-play touchdown from Chiles and an 80-yard run by graduate student Joseph Himon II.
- The Jackrabbits host New Haven on Sept. 12, while the Wildcats take a bye week before hosting Colorado at Martin Stadium on Sept. 19 for their final game at the venue.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Northwestern pulls away late in QB Aidan Chiles’ debut to escape FCS South Dakota State 34-18
Aidan Chiles threw for 273 yards and a touchdown and ran for a score in his Northwestern debut, and the Wildcats pulled away late to top FCS South Dakota State 34-18 on Saturday.
KMJ-AF1
thesportsleader.comAidan Chiles leads Northwestern past pesky South Dakota State
Aidan Chiles passed for one touchdown and rushed for another, and Northwestern pulled away for a 34-18 win over South Dakota State on Saturday night in Evanston, Ill.Chiles completed 14 of 24 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown for Northwestern (1-0)....
Northwestern's defense bends but doesnt break in season-opening win
<p>Aidan Chiles threw for 273 yards and a touchdown in his debut, and Northwestern pulled away late to top FCS South Dakota State 34-18 on Saturday night at Martin Stadium in Evanston.</p><p>Chiles, who made 20 starts for Michigan State before joining the Wildcats during the offseason, made it a two-possession game with a 14-yard draw-play touchdown with 4:34 to go.</p><p>South Dakota State’s (1-1) Josiah Johnson scored with 8:16 left to cut the…
Associated Press News
Aidan Chiles throws for TD in debut as Northwestern rallies past FCS South Dakota State 34-18
Aidan Chiles threw for 273 yards and a touchdown in his debut, and Northwestern pulled away late to top FCS South Dakota State 34-18 on Saturday night.
Rapid Recap: Northwestern 34, South Dakota State 18
Bursts from Northwestern’s remodeled offense bookended its 34-18 season-opening win over South Dakota State as the Wildcats (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten) showed glimpses of a promising new era Saturday. In a much-anticipated debut for offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and senior transfer quarterback Aidan Chiles, the Wildcats’ reliable bend-don’t-break defense supported a variable offensive performance and...
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