Aidan Chiles Earning Respect From Indiana’s Curt Cignetti

Aidan Chiles Earning Respect From Indiana’s Curt Cignetti

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Aidan Chiles Earning Respect From Indiana’s Curt Cignetti

Aidan Chiles has received plenty of praise during Northwestern’s 2-0 start, but some of his latest recognition is coming from an opposing coach who has spent the week preparing to stop him.

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti had high praise for Chiles ahead of Friday’s Big Ten opener, calling the Northwestern quarterback a “really good player” and a “really quality player” while discussing the growth he has shown in Chip Kelly’s offense. 

“He’s doing a really nice job,” Cignetti said. “He’ll drop back, play-action, out-of-pocket, multiple formations, personnel groupings, spread the ball in the pass game.”

Cignetti also pointed to one of the biggest differences in Chiles’ game this season: his ability to protect the football while still creating explosive plays.

Chiles has thrown for 514 yards and four touchdowns through Northwestern’s first two games without an interception. He has also added three rushing touchdowns, helping the Wildcats score 75 points while surpassing 400 total yards in both games. 

Against Colorado, Chiles put together his best performance yet.

He completed 17 of 22 passes for 241 yards and three touchdowns while adding two rushing scores in Northwestern’s 41-7 victory. His five total touchdowns helped the Wildcats build a 21-0 halftime lead and cruise to their first 2-0 start under David Braun. 

Cignetti specifically mentioned Chiles’ ability to extend plays and use his athleticism when a passing play breaks down.

“He can extend plays, tuck it and run, which we saw,” Cignetti said.

That ability has become an important part of what makes Chiles dangerous in Kelly’s offense. Defenses have to account for him as a passer while also being prepared for him to take off when space opens up.

Sep 5, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Aidan Chiles (0) scrambles against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Sep 5, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Aidan Chiles (0) scrambles against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits during the first half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Cignetti has already seen that firsthand.

The Indiana coach referenced Chiles breaking a run of about 60 yards against the Hoosiers last season while at Michigan State, another example of the athleticism that can create problems even when a defense appears to have a play contained. 

Now, Chiles enters his first Big Ten game at Northwestern looking to continue the same progression he has shown through the opening two weeks. The biggest difference may be his comfort.

Chiles has looked increasingly confident making reads, getting the ball to open receivers and trusting the structure of Kelly’s offense. Northwestern has also shown the ability to spread the ball around, giving Chiles multiple options at receiver, tight end and running back.

That has created an offense Indiana knows it cannot focus on stopping in just one area. For Chiles, that attention is another indication of the respect he has earned after only two games in Northwestern’s offense.

The Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honor came Monday after his five-touchdown performance against Colorado. Now, before Chiles even takes his first snap in Bloomington, an opposing head coach is already emphasizing how difficult he can be to defend. 

“He’s a really good player. He’s a really quality player,” Cignetti said.

That respect is earned through production, but Chiles’ development is what could make the next stage of his season even more interesting.

He has shown he can make the big play. He has shown he can protect the football. He has shown he can make plays with his legs and operate efficiently through the air. Now he gets his first chance to show it on the road in Big Ten play.

Northwestern will face Indiana in Bloomington on Friday at 7 p.m. CT, giving Chiles and the Wildcats their first major conference test of the season.

Cignetti clearly knows what he is preparing for. Now Chiles gets the opportunity to show that the growth he has displayed through two games is only the beginning.

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