Joseph Himon II Makes Big Boast on Northwestern RBs After Win vs. SDSU

Joseph Himon II Makes Big Boast on Northwestern RBs After Win vs. SDSU

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Joseph Himon II Makes Big Boast on Northwestern RBs After Win vs. SDSU

Northwestern football's revamped Chip Kelly led offense was everything advertised and more on Saturday night against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits as the Wildcats racked up 497 yards of total offense en route to a 34-18 home win. 

The Wildcats were led by 273 passing yards and a touchdown from new starting quarterback Aidan Chiles and 87 yards rushing with one touchdown from running back Joseph Himon II. 

Himon II showed that the Wildcats' ground game is more than a one-trick pony as he outrushed his talented teammate Caleb Komolafe before praising the entire running backs room afterward. 

The performance gave Wildcats fans plenty to look forward to ahead of Sept. 19's game against Deion Sanders and the 1-0 Colorado Buffaloes in Evanston, Ill. 

Sep 5, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats tight end Alex Honig(86) catches a pass against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images  
Sep 5, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats tight end Alex Honig(86) catches a pass against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images  

Himon II Leads Running Backs on Banner Day 

Northwestern running backs feasted against the Jackrabbits with Himon II recording four carries for 87 yards and a touchdown, showing the speed that has made him a prime special teams player with the Wildcats during a huge run to ice the game. 

Gavin Sawchuk was next on the stat sheet with 69 yards on eight carries while Komolafe, a preseason candidate for the Maxwell Award as the nation's best all-around player, showed his versatility with 83 yards from scrimmage and a score on the ground. 

"We take pride in running the football," Himon II said. 

"We believe we have the best running backs in the country," he added in a surprisingly confident boast. 

The trio gives Northwestern speed, power, veteran leadership and pass catching out of the backfield, a multitude of skills that will be needed Sept. 19 against Colorado, his team's next game. 

Buffaloes' Defense Impresses Ahead of Showdown With Wildcats 

Coach Sanders' Buffaloes held a vaunted Georgia Tech rushing attack to just 51 yards on the road in their 14-13 Week 1 victory, which will give Kelly and Northwestern head coach David Braun plenty to think about in the film room and on the practice field this week. 

The Buffaloes' defense hasn't seen a rushing attack quite like Northwestern's, led by an offensive line that hit the ground running in Week 1 against a physically tough opponent. 

The Buffaloes' leading tackler this past week was linebacker Gideon ESPN Lampron, along with fellow linebacker Liona Lefau and defensive back Randon Fontenette, all of whom recorded seven tackles. 

Colorado doesn't have the same level of defensive back talent they've had in recent years with Travis Hunter and Shilo Sanders long gone, but they have enough talent left over to make things interesting against the Wildcats in Evanston on Sept. 19. 

Expect a close spread and a close game as Colorado's improving defense will look to contain Kelly's multi-dimensional offensive attack, led by a trio of talented runners who look as good as any in the Big Ten so far, a boast Himon II and his teammates have backed up so far. 

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