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Northwestern football's passing attack turned over a new leaf on Saturday night with Aidan Chiles at quarterback and Chip Kelly at offensive coordinator, a duo that appears poised for big things under head coach David Braun in Evanston, Ill. 

Braun watched Chiles put up over 200 yards on the visiting South Dakota Jackrabbits from the Wildcats' sideline, prompting him to praise his new starting quarterback in candid postgame comments. 

Chiles battled a promising FCS based NFL prospect, South Dakota State quarterback Chase Mason, during a game that was competitive for most of the night before the Wildcats pulled away with 17 points in the fourth quarter in a 34-18 win. 

Chiles wasn't as efficient as the NU coaching staff would have liked, recording 10 incompletions on the night, but he did more than enough to win while stuffing the stat sheet and showing promise heading toward a showdown with Colorado on Sept. 19. 

Braun Impressed With Chiles' Game 1 Performance 

Braun was impressed with Chiles' first game in Wildcats purple according to comments shared in a post game press release. 

"He did a good job of staying poised throughout, being a good communicator, did a good job protecting the football and was sound in his decision-making," Braun said about the former Oregon State and Michigan State quarterback. 

"Aidan and that offense got off to a good start. We'll look back, look at the tape and know that there's plenty of work ahead." 

.@ai6an_ FINDS @GriffinWilde1 FOR 71 YARDS TO GET US STARTED 😮‍💨

📺 @BigTenNetworkpic.twitter.com/n1lUOR4Tcm

— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) September 6, 2026

Chiles finished with a stat line of 14-of-24 completions for 273 yards and a touchdown and did not throw and interception on the night. 

He tacked on eight rushes for 18 yards and a touchdown, falling short of Mason's 324 total yards but doing enough to win on an exciting night at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. 

Chiles' Night Best Since 2022

Chiles' passing night was the best yardage-wise since former Wildcats quarterback Ryan Hilinski threw for 314 yards against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in 2022, a positive sign for a player who announced his decision to transfer to Northwestern this past January. 

Chiles has the confidence of his team's coaching staff and a bona fide star at receiver in Griffin Wilde, who racked up 104 yards on three receptions.

Wilde also matched his career high with a 71-yard catch, showcasing the exact big play potential Kelly and members of the media spoke about during the offseason. 

Sept. 19's game against Colorado will be a step up in challenge as the Buffaloes held Georgia Tech to 13 points in a 14-13 Week 1 win, but Chiles and the Wildcats are locked and loaded with a 2-0 start on their minds as they head into what should be a productive and restful bye week. 

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