Northwestern’s Defense Steps Up in Red Zone Against South Dakota State
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It wasn't a perfect night for the Northwestern defense, but when the Wildcats needed stops the most, they delivered.
Northwestern allowed South Dakota State to move the ball throughout Saturday night's season opener, with the Jackrabbits finishing with 432 yards of total offense. There were also several chunk plays that allowed South Dakota State to consistently move into Northwestern territory.
But once the Jackrabbits got inside the red zone, the Wildcats found another gear.
Northwestern held South Dakota State to just one touchdown on five red-zone trips, forcing four field goals on its first four opportunities inside the 20-yard line. That ability to bend without breaking played a major role in Northwestern's 34-18 victory.
That proved to be one of the biggest differences in the game. Instead of allowing South Dakota State to turn long drives into touchdowns, Northwestern's defense consistently forced the Jackrabbits to settle for three points.
The Wildcats' aggressive approach also showed up in the pressure they generated up front. Northwestern recorded two sacks, with Braydon Brus and Brendan Flakes each bringing down South Dakota State quarterback Chase Mason.
Brus made an impact immediately, recording a sack on the Jackrabbits' opening drive as Northwestern set the tone with an aggressive defensive approach.
Damon Walters Makes Huge Plays
One of the biggest defensive performances came from safety Damon Walters.
After missing most of last season, Walters made his return to the field in a major way. He finished with nine tackles, one interception and one pass breakup, providing Northwestern with a veteran presence in the secondary.
His biggest play came late in the fourth quarter.
After South Dakota State finally broke through for its first touchdown to cut Northwestern's lead to 20-18, the Jackrabbits attempted a two-point conversion to tie the game.
Walters came away with the interception.
Instead of a potential tie game, Northwestern maintained its two-point lead and got the ball back with a chance to respond. Chiles scored on a 14-yard rushing touchdown on the ensuing drive, and Joseph Himon II later sealed the victory with an 80-yard touchdown run.
Walters' interception was exactly the kind of big-time play Northwestern needed from its defense.
Plenty to Clean Up
At the same time, Northwestern knows there is plenty to improve.
Giving up 432 yards and allowing South Dakota State to consistently create explosive plays is something the Wildcats will want to address before their next game.
Mason finished with 285 passing yards, while the Jackrabbits repeatedly moved the ball through the air and kept drives alive. Still, Northwestern made sure those yards did not consistently turn into touchdowns.
That is the biggest positive to take away.
The defense wasn't perfect, but it was opportunistic when it mattered most. Northwestern forced four field goals, recorded two sacks and came up with a critical interception from Walters on the two-point attempt.
Against a South Dakota State team that came into the season ranked No. 2 in the FCS and had scored 70 points in its opener, that was enough.
The Wildcats will need to clean up the chunk plays and find ways to create more consistent pressure, but Saturday showed that this defense has the ability to make winning plays in critical moments.
For a team trying to establish its identity in 2026, that could become one of its biggest strengths.
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