Northwestern Turns Takeaways Into Triumph, Securing 34–7 Win in Detroit
- Brady Triemstra
- Dec 26, 2025
- 3 min read
DETROIT — What opened as a gritty defensive stalemate quickly spiraled into a one-sided showcase, as Northwestern capitalized on a flurry of Central Michigan miscues to run away with a 34–7 victory and secure the 2025 GameAbove Sports Championship on Friday.
The first quarter provided little indication of what was coming. CMU’s defense opened the game with energy and execution — highlighted by a massive 4th-down stop on Northwestern’s opening possession, led by Jordan Kwiatkowski.
The Chippewas forced multiple punts early, including a 3rd-down breakup by Brenden DeasFernandes, while CMU’s Hayden registered a highlight-worthy sack to bury the Wildcats in a 2nd-and-21 hole. But despite their defense controlling tempo, the Chippewa offense struggled to find rhythm, posting back-to-back 4-and-outs. The teams ended the first quarter locked at 0–0.
Once the second quarter began, momentum snapped sharply and permanently in favor of Northwestern. After inching their way to midfield, the Wildcats seized the game’s first turning point with a jaw-dropping one-handed interception by Northwestern’s Brandon Turner, giving NU prime field position. On the ensuing drive, quarterback Preston Stone found his favorite target Griffin Wilde for a crisp 23-yard touchdown, putting the Wildcats ahead 7–0. From there, the avalanche hit. CMU fumbled on three consecutive offensive plays across their next three possessions, giving Northwestern red-zone opportunities on a platter. With 6:33 remaining in the half, Northwestern rode the legs of Komolafe, punching in a 4th-and-goal touchdown to extend the lead to 14–0. Just moments later, Stone connected on a wide-open strike to Lawson Albright for a 27-yard score pushing the tally to 21-0 with 3:37 left before halftime. A fake-punt attempt by Northwestern in the final minute added chaos but no extra points, sending the game to halftime firmly in NU’s control. When CMU returned for the second half, the turnover woes only deepened. Northwestern’s Brandon Turner struck again this time scooping up another Chippewa fumble and returning it for a defensive touchdown less than three minutes into the third. That score — and eventual extra point — ballooned the lead to 27–0. Stone added his third passing touchdown late in the third quarter, once more to Wilde, building a commanding 34–0 lead heading into the fourth as CMU continued to search for answers.
The Chippewas showed late life, finally reaching the end zone on a 2-yard score with 6:11 remaining, then snagging an interception with just over three minutes left. But the hole was too deep, and time too short. When the clock hit zero, the Wildcats had sealed a dominant 34–7 finish holding CMU scoreless for more than 50 minutes of game time and cashing in on nearly every mistake.
FINAL — Northwestern 34, CMU 7 CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS — Stat Leaders
Passing
Joe Labas: 21 completions, 25 attempts — 178 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
Rushing
Trey Cornist: 11 carries — 66 yards
Receiving
Langston Lewis: 8 receptions — 83 yards
Tyson Davis: 5 receptions — 53 yards
Brock Townsend: 1 reception — 3 yards, 1 TD
Turnovers
Central Michigan fumbles lost: 3 total lost fumbles (Labas and others)
Kalen Carroll: 1 interception
NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS — Stat Leaders
Passing
Preston Stone: 19 completions, 31 attempts — 226 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Rushing
Caleb Komolafe: 15 carries — 55 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Griffin Wilde: 10 receptions — 97 yards, 2 TDs
Hayden Eligon II: 3 receptions — 45 yards
Ricky Ahumaraeze: 1 reception — 35 yards
Lawson Albright: 2 receptions — 27 yards, 1 TD
Defense / Turnovers
Braden Turner: Interception + fumble recovery (returned for a defensive TD)
Aidan Hubbard: 3 sacks
Braydon Brus: Team-leading 11 tackles
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