Northwestern Upsets Penn State 34-13

Jay Jacobs Published: October 3, 2026 | Updated: October 3, 2026 2 minutes read

Read Time:2 Minute, 6 Second

By JAY COHEN AP
Caleb Komolafe rushed for a career-high 188 yards and a touchdown, and Northwestern routed Penn State 34-13 on Friday night in the first game at the new Ryan Field.

BUILT FOR THIS. pic.twitter.com/ba0APtUkTq

— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) October 3, 2026

Led by Komolafe and Joseph Himon II, Northwestern set season highs with 413 yards rushing and 506 yards overall. Himon finished with a career-high 162 yards and two TDs on 10 carries.

We get to play HERE. pic.twitter.com/k32X2XSASI

— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) October 3, 2026

It was a memorable performance by the Wildcats (3-1, 1-1 Big Ten) in the debut of their fancy $875 million stadium — built on the same site as the former Ryan Field. They led from start to finish while bouncing back from a tough 29-23 loss at No. 6 Indiana.

🗣️ WHY NOT US pic.twitter.com/tDy4PfkLvC

— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) October 3, 2026

Penn State (3-2, 0-2) dropped its second consecutive game in its first season under coach Matt Campbell. The Nittany Lions blew a 17-point lead in a 24-20 loss to Wisconsin in their conference opener.

New Home. Same Tradition.

PLAY THAT SONG pic.twitter.com/diMUvyHfXh

— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) October 3, 2026

Rocco Becht was 26-for-41 passing for 243 yards and a touchdown for Penn State. But he also threw two interceptions.

Victory Formation ➡️ Wildcat Wall pic.twitter.com/OpF1XZcyne

— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) October 3, 2026

The Nittany Lions finished with 20 first downs and 291 total yards after they had 12 first downs and 233 yards against the Badgers.

.@BraydonBrus takes it away! 🧨 pic.twitter.com/5ozhVUBB5M

— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) October 3, 2026

Northwestern opened a 10-0 lead on Aidan Chiles’ 2-yard keeper with 5:07 left in the first quarter. Himon set up the TD with a 47-yard run.

FEED THE BEAST. pic.twitter.com/huCUm6bmSJ

— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) October 3, 2026

Carson Hansen had an 8-yard touchdown run for Penn State in the second quarter. But Himon responded for Northwestern, scoring on rushes of 38 and 11 yards.

Second TD of the game for @JosephHimon 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/9h9G88waM9

— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) October 3, 2026

The Nittany Lions had a chance to cut into the deficit right before halftime, but Ryan Barker missed a 45-yard field goal.

His name is Joe Himon and he likes to score touchdowns. pic.twitter.com/b7bexV7Zsx

— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) October 3, 2026

The Wildcats opened a 31-7 lead on Komolafe’s 1-yard TD with 1:13 left in the third. Chiles had a 15-yard run and a 31-yard pass to Griffin Wilde on consecutive plays on the drive.