Aidan Chiles leads Northwestern to 34-18 victory over South Dakota State
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 6, 2026, 3:38 AM
Last updated Sep 6, 2026
Aidan Chiles threw for 273 yards and a touchdown in his Northwestern debut as the Wildcats defeated South Dakota State 34-18 on Saturday in Evanston, Illinois. After South Dakota State narrowed the deficit to 20-18 in the fourth quarter, Chiles responded with a 14-yard touchdown run to extend the Northwestern lead. Joseph Himon II later sealed the result with an 80-yard touchdown run in the final two minutes. The Northwestern defense held South Dakota State out of the end zone on six of seven trips inside the 25-yard line despite allowing 438 total yards. The win marks the fourth consecutive home opener victory for the program. Northwestern now enters a bye week before hosting Colorado on September 19.
- •Aidan Chiles finished his Northwestern debut with 273 passing yards and one touchdown.
- •Joseph Himon II recorded 87 rushing yards on four carries, including an 80-yard touchdown.
- •Northwestern held South Dakota State to one touchdown despite the visitors reaching the red zone seven times.
- •South Dakota State quarterback Chase Mason threw for 285 yards with one interception in the loss.
- •Northwestern hosts Colorado on September 19 following an upcoming bye week.
- 3:38 AMYahoo Sports — 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. 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. The Wildcats’ defense gave up 438 yards but kept the Jackrabbits out of the end zone on six of seven trips inside their 25-yard line.
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