Total Yards
Northwestern313
Central Michigan269
← Back to Game Stats Explorer
Standard
Data sourced from NCAA game stats archive (2025)
Game Center
Central Michigan at Northwestern
Dec 26, 2025 • Completed • Neutral Site
GameAbove Sports Bowl
Season 2025PostseasonWeek 1
Away
Central Michigan
Mid-American
Final Score
7 - 34
CMN
Home
Northwestern
Big Ten
Game Pulse
Immediate edge indicators from the box score.
Passing Yards
Northwestern236
Central Michigan178
Rushing Yards
Northwestern77
Central Michigan91
Turnovers
Northwestern1
Central Michigan4
Game Conditions
Advanced Box Snapshot
Excitement
3.34
Postgame Win Probability
Northwestern: 97.0%
Central Michigan: 3.0%
Player Game Leaders
Top individual performers and full player box data.
Full Player Box
Box Score Comparison
Northwestern vs Central Michigan box score comparison chart
Possession Split
Possession split chart
Northwestern27:18
Central Michigan32:42
Stat Dominance
Team comparison across key performance areas
Radar chart comparing team performance across key metrics
Game Story
Northwestern pulls away from Central Michigan 34-7
Northwestern defeated Central Michigan 34-7 in Week 1 of the 2025 postseason slate, finishing with a 313-269 edge in total yards, and scoring 3 passing touchdowns and 1 rushing touchdowns.
Northwestern set the terms early in a game that finished 34-7. (06:38) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete deep left to #17 G.Wilde caught at CMU00, for 23 yards to the CMU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 06:33, 1ST DOWN #82 J.Olsen kick attempt good (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #39 J.Florentine) came with 6:33 left in the quarter 2, giving Northwestern the first major swing.
Northwestern's box score carried the story: 313 total yards, 77 rushing yards, and 236 passing yards. Central Michigan finished with 269 total yards, including 91 on the ground and 178 through the air.
Northwestern converted 4-13 on third down, went 2-5 on fourth down, the turnover count was 1-4, Northwestern led 21-0 at halftime. The explosive highlight was (06:38) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete deep left to #17 G.Wilde caught at CMU00, for 23 yards to the CMU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 06:33, 1ST DOWN #82 J.Olsen kick attempt good (H: #94….
Key Moments
Passing Touchdown
(06:38) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete deep left to #17 G.Wilde caught at CMU00, for 23 yards to the CMU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 06:33, 1ST DOWN #82 J.Olsen kick attempt good (H: #94 H.Helms,… (Northwestern led 7-0 over Central Michigan).
Rushing Touchdown
(03:47) Shotgun #5 C.Komolafe rush middle for 2 yards gain to the CMU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 03:43 #82 J.Olsen kick attempt good (H: #94 H.Helms, LS: #39 J.Florentine) (Northwestern led 14-0 over Central Michigan).
Passing Touchdown
(03:37) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete deep right to #86 L.Albright caught at CMU00, for 23 yards to the CMU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 03:31, 1ST DOWN #82 J.Olsen kick attempt good (H: #94 H.Hel… (Northwestern led 21-0 over Central Michigan).
Passing Touchdown
(02:37) Shotgun #8 P.Stone pass complete short left to #17 G.Wilde caught at CMU00, for 11 yards to the CMU00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 02:31, 1ST DOWN, PENALTY CMU Holding declined #82 J.Olsen kick… (Northwestern led 34-0 over Central Michigan).
Fumble Recovery (Opponent)
(12:52) Shotgun #7 A.Flores rush middle for 3 yards gain to the CMU47 fumbled by #7 A.Flores at CMU46 forced by #37 M.Uihlein recovered by NW #9 B.Turner at CMU47 #9 B.Turner return 47 yard… (Central Michigan led 0-27 over Northwestern).
Pass Reception
(06:13) Shotgun #2 J.Labas pass complete short left to #22 B.Townsend caught at NU 03, for 3 yards to the NU 00 TOUCHDOWN, clock 06:11 #47 C.Graham kick attempt good (H: #18 D.Duley, LS: #3… (Central Michigan led 7-34 over Northwestern).
Stat Callouts
Final score
34-7
Northwestern defeated Central Michigan.
Total yards
313-269
Northwestern held the yardage advantage.
Rushing yards
77
Northwestern averaged 3 yards per rush attempt.
Passing yards
236
Northwestern averaged 6.7 yards per pass attempt.
Third downs
4-13
Northwestern's conversion rate helped sustain possessions.
Opponent third downs
3-11
Central Michigan's offense struggled to keep drives alive.
Turnovers
1-4
Turnover totals are listed winner first.
Analysis
Game Breakdown
| Statistic | Northwestern | Central Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 313 | 269 |
| Passing Yards | 236 | 178 |
| Rushing Yards | 77 | 91 |
| First Downs | 18 | 15 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 4-13 | 3-11 |
| Fourth Down Efficiency | 2-5 | 0-1 |
| Total Penalties (Yards) | 2-20 | 5-46 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 4 |
| Completions / Attempts | 20-35 | 21-26 |
| Rushing Attempts | 26 | 34 |
| Passing TDs | 3 | 1 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 | 0 |
| Kicking Points | 4 | 1 |
| Possession Time | 27:18 | 32:42 |