Northwestern Dominates Central Michigan in Season Opener
Northwestern controlled the game from start to finish, defeating Central Michigan 34-7 in Week 1. The Wildcats' offense was efficient early, scoring 21 points in the second quarter alone to establish firm command.
Preston Stone led Northwestern's passing attack with 226 yards, connecting with Griffin Wilde for 97 receiving yards and multiple touchdowns. The Northwestern offense struck quickly in the second quarter, with Stone finding Wilde for a 23-yard touchdown pass, running back C. Komolafe punching in a short touchdown run, and Stone connecting with L. Albright for another 23-yard scoring strike.
Northwestern's defense was equally stifling, particularly in the fourth quarter where they forced Central Michigan into a turnover on downs. The Chippewas managed only 7 points, which came late in the fourth quarter, well after the outcome was decided.
Stone's efficient performance and Northwestern's dominant second-quarter outburst proved too much for Central Michigan to overcome. The Wildcats' 34-point output on their home field sent a strong statement to start the season, while the defense's fourth-quarter stop exemplified their control throughout the contest.
AI-generated recap · Aug 22, 2026
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Central Michigan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
 Northwestern | 0 | 21 | 13 | 0 | 34 |
Scoring Timeline
Drive Chart
Box Score
| Statistic | Central Michigan | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | 21-26 | 20-35 |
| Pass Yards | 178 | 236 |
| Rush Yards | 91 | 77 |
| Total Yards | 269 | 313 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 1 |
| 3rd Down | 3-11 | 4-13 |
| Penalties | 5-46 | 2-20 |
| Possession | 32:42 | 27:18 |
Player Leaders
Player Leaders
Play-by-Play
(14:58) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short right to #17 G.Wilde thrown to NWU35 broken up by #1 D.Cochran
(14:53) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush left for 2 yards gain to the NWU27 (#6 K.Carroll)
(14:14) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #17 G.Wilde caught at NWU33, for 7 yards to the NWU34 (#4 J.Jackson)
(13:34) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 1 yard loss to the NWU33 (#12 J.Kwiatkowski; #40 L.Brown), TURNOVER ON DOWNS
(13:29) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short left to #19 T.McIntosh caught at NWU26, for 7 yards to the NWU26 (#13 J.Fussell)
(12:52) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short right to #19 T.McIntosh caught at NWU22, for 4 yards to the NWU22 (#7 O.Adeyi), 1ST DOWN
(12:09) Shotgun #22 B.Townsend rush right for 1 yard gain to the NWU21 (#13 J.Fussell; #1 C.Bastone), out of bounds
(11:30) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short middle to #8 D.Temple caught at NWU18, for 3 yards to the NWU18 (#37 M.Uihlein; #9 B.Turner)
(10:45) Shotgun #2 J.Labas sacked for loss of 7 yards to the NWU25 (#91 A.Hubbard)
(10:03) #47 C.Graham field goal attempt from 43 yards NO GOOD (H: #18 D.Duley, LS: #30 B.Pratt), clock 10:03
(10:00) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 6 yards gain to the NWU31 (#12 J.Kwiatkowski)
(09:20) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short right to #80 H.Eligon II thrown to NWU36 broken up by #3 B.Deasfernandes
(09:16) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short middle to #80 H.Eligon II thrown to NWU45 broken up by #3 B.Deasfernandes
(09:08) #11 L.Akers punt 45 yards to the CMU24 fair catch by #15 C.Spann at CMU24
(09:04) Shotgun #3 T.Davis rush right for 6 yards gain to the CMU30 (#9 B.Turner)
(08:21) Shotgun #6 T.Cornist rush middle for 3 yards gain to the CMU33 (#37 M.Uihlein)
(07:42) Shotgun #7 A.Flores rush left for 3 yards gain to the CMU36 (#33 B.Brus), 1ST DOWN
(06:59) Shotgun #7 A.Flores sacked for loss of 2 yards to the CMU34 (#94 M.Jackson)
(06:13) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass incomplete deep left to #3 T.Davis thrown to NW 32 QB hurried by #33 B.Brus
PENALTY CMU Delay Of Game (#2 J.Labas) 5 yards from CMU34 to CMU29. NO PLAY
(06:04) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short middle to #8 D.Temple caught at CMU36, for 9 yards to the CMU38 (#33 B.Brus)
(05:26) #18 D.Duley punt 39 yards to the NWU23, out of bounds at NWU23
(05:21) Shotgun #8 P.Stone sacked for loss of 11 yards to the NW 12 (#49 K.Hayden)
(04:35) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #17 G.Wilde caught at NW 24, for 12 yards to the NW 24, out of bounds at NW 24
(03:56) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short right to #17 G.Wilde thrown to NW 37 broken up by #3 B.Deasfernandes
(03:49) #11 L.Akers punt 50 yards to the CMU26 #15 C.Spann return 5 yards to the CMU31 (#37 M.Uihlein; #10 R.Ahumaraeze)
(03:36) Shotgun #7 A.Flores rush right for 4 yards gain to the CMU35 (#13 J.Fussell)
(02:58) Shotgun #22 B.Townsend rush middle for 3 yards gain to the CMU38 (#47 M.Kilbane)
(02:19) Shotgun #10 M.Beamon rush right for 0 yards to the CMU38 (#37 M.Uihlein)
(01:45) #18 D.Duley punt 42 yards to the NW 20 fair catch by #17 G.Wilde at NW 20
(01:38) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush right for 3 yards gain to the NW 23 (#12 J.Kwiatkowski)
(01:13) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #17 G.Wilde caught at NW 26, for 7 yards to the NW 30 (#3 B.Deasfernandes; #2 E.Rikard), 1ST DOWN
(00:44) No Huddle-Shotgun #41 R.Preckel rush left for 2 yards loss to the NW 28 (#1 D.Cochran; #2 E.Rikard)
(15:00) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #86 L.Albright caught at NW 29, for 4 yards to the NW 32 (#15 C.Spann)
(14:19) No Huddle-Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush left for 13 yards gain to the NW 45 (#15 C.Spann), 1ST DOWN
(13:44) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 3 yards gain to the NW 48 (#12 J.Kwiatkowski; #94 D.Fisher)
(13:01) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #84 H.Welcing caught at CMU40, for 13 yards to the CMU39 (#2 E.Rikard; #12 J.Kwiatkowski), 1ST DOWN
(12:17) Shotgun #41 R.Preckel rush right for 0 yards to the CMU39 (#40 L.Brown)
(11:40) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short middle to #84 H.Welcing thrown to CMU35 broken up by #94 D.Fisher
(11:36) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #80 H.Eligon II caught at CMU36, for 3 yards to the CMU36 (#17 M.Blackwell)
(10:55) #11 L.Akers punt 30 yards to the CMU06
(10:50) Shotgun #2 J.Labas rush middle for 2 yards gain to the CMU08 (#94 M.Jackson)
(10:09) Shotgun #6 T.Cornist rush middle for 5 yards gain to the CMU13 (#33 B.Brus; #6 R.Fitzgerald)
(09:24) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short left to #3 T.Davis caught at CMU20, for 12 yards to the CMU25 (#9 B.Turner), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(08:46) Shotgun #6 T.Cornist rush left for 1 yard gain to the CMU26 (#6 R.Fitzgerald)
(08:06) Shotgun #7 A.Flores pass intercepted by #9 B.Turner at CMU29 QB hurried by #47 M.Kilbane, End Of Play
(08:01) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #17 G.Wilde caught at CMU28, for 2 yards to the CMU27 (#10 E.Gordon)
(07:21) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 4 yards gain to the CMU23 (#40 L.Brown; #6 K.Carroll)
(06:38) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete deep left to #17 G.Wilde caught at CMU00, for 23 yards to the CMU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 06:33, 1ST DOWN #82 J.Olsen kick attempt good (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #39 J.Florentine)
(06:33) Shotgun #2 J.Labas sacked for loss of 7 yards to the CMU18 (#91 A.Hubbard), fumble by #2 J.Labas recovered by NW #1 C.Bastone at CMU18, End Of Play
(06:24) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #17 G.Wilde caught at CMU14, for 7 yards to the CMU11 (#2 E.Rikard)
(05:45) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush right for 6 yards gain to the CMU05 (#6 K.Carroll), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(05:07) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short left to #17 G.Wilde thrown to CMU00
(05:05) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 3 yards gain to the CMU02 fumbled by #5 C.Komolafe at CMU08 recovered by NW #5 C.Komolafe at CMU02, End Of Play
(04:11) Shotgun #41 R.Preckel rush middle for 0 yards to the CMU02 (#98 J.Decker)
(03:47) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 2 yards gain to the CMU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 03:43 #82 J.Olsen kick attempt good (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #39 J.Florentine)
(03:43) Shotgun #2 J.Labas rush middle for 2 yards loss to the CMU23 fumbled by #2 J.Labas at CMU21 recovered by NW #47 M.Kilbane at CMU23, End Of Play
(03:37) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete deep right to #86 L.Albright caught at CMU00, for 23 yards to the CMU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 03:31, 1ST DOWN #82 J.Olsen kick attempt good (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #39 J.Florentine)
(03:25) Shotgun #22 B.Townsend rush middle for 5 yards gain to the CMU31 (#47 M.Kilbane)
(02:46) Shotgun #22 B.Townsend rush middle for 2 yards gain to the CMU33 (#33 B.Brus; #47 M.Kilbane)
(02:04) Shotgun #2 J.Labas rush left for 0 yards to the CMU33 (#47 M.Kilbane)
(02:00) #18 D.Duley punt 57 yards to the NW 10 fair catch by #17 G.Wilde at NW 10
(01:52) Shotgun #8 P.Stone rush middle for 9 yards gain to the NW 19 (#15 C.Spann)
(01:30) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short middle to #5 C.Komolafe caught at NW 22, for 14 yards to the NW 33 (#3 B.Deasfernandes; #1 D.Cochran), 1ST DOWN
(01:14) No Huddle-Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short middle to #10 R.Ahumaraeze caught at CMU49, for 35 yards to the CMU32 (#1 D.Cochran), 1ST DOWN
(00:56) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short right to #84 H.Welcing thrown to CMU27
(00:51) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #5 C.Komolafe caught at CMU41, for 5 yards loss to the CMU37 (#45 X.White; #97 M.Heldman)
(00:44) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete deep left to #80 H.Eligon II thrown to CMU03 QB hurried by #56 K.Demma
PENALTY NW Delay Of Game (#8 P.Stone) 5 yards from CMU37 to CMU42. NO PLAY
(00:31) #11 L.Akers punt 42 yards to the CMU00, Touchback
(00:25) Shotgun #6 T.Cornist rush left for 9 yards gain to the CMU29 (#9 B.Turner)
(15:00) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short left to #88 H.Dryden caught at CMU31, for 6 yards to the CMU31, End Of Play
(14:25) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short left to #20 L.Lewis caught at CMU35, for 4 yards to the CMU35 (#7 O.Adeyi), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(13:48) Shotgun #6 T.Cornist rush middle for 0 yards to the CMU35 (#95 N.Story)
(13:05) Shotgun #2 J.Labas rush middle for 9 yards gain to the CMU44 (#33 B.Brus)
(12:52) Shotgun #7 A.Flores rush middle for 3 yards gain to the CMU47 fumbled by #7 A.Flores at CMU46 forced by #37 M.Uihlein recovered by NW #9 B.Turner at CMU47 #9 B.Turner return 47 yards to the CMU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 12:39 PENALTY CMU Face Mask 15 yards from CMU00 to CMU03, 1ST DOWN #82 J.Olsen kick attempt failed (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #39 J.Florentine)
(12:33) Shotgun #22 B.Townsend rush middle for 5 yards gain to the CMU25 (#37 M.Uihlein)
(11:59) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short middle to #20 L.Lewis caught at CMU29, for 7 yards to the CMU32 (#13 J.Fussell), 1ST DOWN
(11:19) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short right to #20 L.Lewis caught at CMU35, for 5 yards to the CMU37 (#7 O.Adeyi)
(10:37) Shotgun #6 T.Cornist rush middle for 5 yards gain to the CMU42 (#6 R.Fitzgerald; #9 B.Turner), 1ST DOWN
(09:56) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short middle to #20 L.Lewis caught at NW 47, for 11 yards to the NW 47 (#33 B.Brus; #9 B.Turner), 1ST DOWN
(09:24) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass incomplete deep middle to #20 L.Lewis thrown to NW 26 broken up by #6 R.Fitzgerald
PENALTY CMU False Start (#69 J.Booth) 5 yards from NW 47 to CMU48. NO PLAY
(09:19) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short left to #3 T.Davis caught at CMU46, for 9 yards to the NW 43 (#7 O.Adeyi), out of bounds
(08:37) Shotgun #2 J.Labas sacked for loss of 4 yards to the NW 47 (#91 A.Hubbard)
(08:01) #18 D.Duley punt 39 yards to the NW 08 fair catch by #17 G.Wilde at NW 08
(07:53) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 1 yard gain to the NW 09 (#40 L.Brown)
(07:14) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short middle to #17 G.Wilde thrown to NW 23
(07:10) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short middle to #17 G.Wilde caught at NW 19, for 14 yards to the NW 23 (#4 J.Jackson), 1ST DOWN
(06:29) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 7 yards gain to the NW 30 (#15 C.Spann)
(06:00) Shotgun #41 R.Preckel rush middle for 5 yards gain to the NW 35 (#49 K.Hayden; #48 N.VanTimmeren), 1ST DOWN
(05:17) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete deep right to #80 H.Eligon II caught at CMU38, for 28 yards to the CMU37 (#6 K.Carroll), 1ST DOWN
(04:31) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short right to #17 G.Wilde caught at CMU29, for 8 yards to the CMU29, End Of Play
(03:53) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 1 yard gain to the CMU28 (#12 J.Kwiatkowski; #10 E.Gordon)
(03:13) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 3 yards gain to the CMU25 (#81 M.Denkins), 1ST DOWN
(02:42) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short left to #80 H.Eligon II thrown to CMU11, 1ST DOWN, PENALTY CMU Pass Interference (#4 J.Jackson) 14 yards from CMU25 to CMU11, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY
(02:37) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #17 G.Wilde caught at CMU00, for 11 yards to the CMU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 02:31, 1ST DOWN, PENALTY CMU Holding declined #82 J.Olsen kick attempt good (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #39 J.Florentine)
(02:25) Shotgun #6 T.Cornist rush middle for 12 yards gain to the CMU34 (#2 F.Davis II), 1ST DOWN
(01:40) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass incomplete short left to #8 D.Temple thrown to CMU37 broken up by #33 B.Brus
(01:36) Shotgun #6 T.Cornist rush middle for 2 yards gain to the CMU36 (#37 M.Uihlein; #6 R.Fitzgerald)
(00:48) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short right to #3 T.Davis caught at CMU31, for 7 yards to the CMU43 (#33 B.Brus)
(00:08) Shotgun #10 M.Beamon rush right for 0 yards to the CMU43 (#6 R.Fitzgerald; #33 B.Brus), TURNOVER ON DOWNS
(00:04) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short middle to #17 G.Wilde caught at CMU38, for 6 yards to the CMU37 (#15 C.Spann)
(14:59) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short left to #17 G.Wilde thrown to CMU42
(14:51) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush right for 2 yards gain to the CMU35 (#12 J.Kwiatkowski; #56 K.Demma)
(14:09) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #80 H.Eligon II caught at CMU24, for 14 yards to the CMU21 (#15 C.Spann), 1ST DOWN
(13:30) Shotgun #41 R.Preckel rush middle for 1 yard gain to the CMU20 (#98 J.Decker)
(12:50) Shotgun #2 R.Boe rush left for 6 yards gain to the CMU14 (#98 J.Decker)
(12:10) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short left to #80 H.Eligon II thrown to CMU00
(12:05) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass incomplete short right to #10 R.Ahumaraeze thrown to CMU00 broken up by #3 B.Deasfernandes, TURNOVER ON DOWNS
(12:00) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short left to #20 L.Lewis caught at CMU20, for 4 yards to the CMU18 (#25 M.Dorsey Jr.), out of bounds PENALTY CMU Block Below Waist (#22 B.Townsend) 7 yards from CMU14 to CMU07. NO PLAY
(11:37) Shotgun #22 B.Townsend rush middle for 6 yards gain to the CMU13 (#0 A.Jones; #44 C.Campbell)
(10:55) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short middle to #3 T.Davis caught at CMU19, for 12 yards to the CMU25 (#33 B.Brus; #18 G.Wallace), 1ST DOWN
(10:17) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass incomplete deep middle to #20 L.Lewis thrown to NU 37
(10:12) Shotgun #6 T.Cornist rush middle for 2 yards gain to the CMU27 (#54 T.Gant; #33 B.Brus)
(09:24) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short left to #20 L.Lewis caught at CMU31, for 20 yards to the CMU47 (#18 G.Wallace), 1ST DOWN
(08:43) Shotgun #6 T.Cornist rush left for 5 yards gain to the NU 48 (#37 M.Uihlein; #59 J.Trautmann)
(08:11) Shotgun #6 T.Cornist rush middle for 22 yards gain to the NU 26 (#29 J.Stevens Jr.), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(07:31) Shotgun #22 B.Townsend rush middle for 2 yards gain to the NU 24 (#33 B.Brus; #0 A.Jones)
(06:48) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete deep right to #20 L.Lewis caught at NU 03, for 21 yards to the NU 03, out of bounds at NU 03, 1ST DOWN
(06:13) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short left to #22 B.Townsend caught at NU 03, for 3 yards to the NU 00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 06:11 #47 C.Graham kick attempt good (H: #18 D.Duley, LS: #30 B.Pratt)
(06:06) Shotgun #41 R.Preckel rush right for 10 yards gain to the CMU36 (#17 M.Blackwell), 1ST DOWN
(05:25) Shotgun #41 R.Preckel rush middle for 5 yards gain to the CMU31 (#1 D.Cochran; #6 K.Carroll)
(04:41) Shotgun #2 R.Boe pass complete short left to #87 C.Grove caught at CMU26, for 10 yards to the CMU21 (#1 D.Cochran), 1ST DOWN
(04:00) Shotgun #2 R.Boe pass incomplete deep left to #85 P.Schaller thrown to CMU00 QB hurried by #49 K.Hayden
(03:54) Shotgun #41 R.Preckel rush right for 1 yard loss to the CMU22 (#12 J.Kwiatkowski)
(03:13) Shotgun #2 R.Boe pass incomplete deep right to #3 F.Covey IV thrown to CMU00
(03:08) Shotgun #2 R.Boe pass intercepted by #6 K.Carroll at CMU10 #6 K.Carroll return 0 yards to the CMU10 (#87 C.Grove)
(02:59) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short right to #19 T.McIntosh caught at CMU15, for 5 yards to the CMU15 (#34 P.Roth)
(02:25) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short middle to #3 T.Davis caught at CMU17, for 13 yards to the CMU28 (#29 J.Stevens Jr.), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
(02:00) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass incomplete short left to #88 H.Dryden thrown to CMU35 PENALTY NU Roughing The Passer (#54 T.Gant) 15 yards from CMU28 to CMU43, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY
(01:54) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short middle to #19 T.McIntosh caught at CMU45, for 5 yards to the CMU48 (#22 T.Curry-Hicks), out of bounds
(01:46) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short middle to #20 L.Lewis caught at NU 46, for 11 yards to the NU 41 (#42 N.Glover; #45 J.Sadowsky V), 1ST DOWN
(01:10) Shotgun #2 J.Labas sacked for loss of 3 yards to the NU 44 (#92 M.Green)
(01:04) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short middle to #20 L.Lewis caught at NU 40, for 4 yards to the NU 40 (#42 N.Glover)
(00:17) Shotgun #2 J.Labas rush middle for 1 yard loss to the NU 41 fumbled by #2 J.Labas at NU 43 recovered by CMU #9 J.Ruffin, Jr. at NU 41, End Of Play