Northwestern head coach David Braun made it clear this week that the Wildcats have already put Tulane behind them. “Encouraged by the way this group is responding,” Braun said. “We’re not defined by one bad day or one bad game. Got to respond, and this group so far in our preparation for Western Illinois has done a great job of that.”
The Wildcats face a Western Illinois program Braun knows well. “I’ve known Joe Davis for a long time through recruiting ties in Illinois,” he said. “Shoot, Joe and I used to work the showcase here together as visiting coaches. Got a tremendous amount of respect for him.” Braun credited Davis for taking a struggling program and guiding it to four wins last year while upgrading the roster through recruiting. He warned that the Leathernecks’ new defensive coordinator and creative offensive approach will test Northwestern’s preparation. “We got to be at our best,” Braun said. “The way we’ve been practicing over the last nine months needs to show up on Friday night.”
The aftermath of Saturday’s 38–17 loss to Tulane included controversy over the decision not to allow Tulane to wear white uniforms during its Hurricane Katrina 20th anniversary game. Braun addressed Jon Sumrall postgame remarks head-on. “The second I heard about his comments, I immediately tracked down Jon’s number and gave him a call,” Braun said. “Certainly not a gesture of disrespect. I had an opportunity to see [Hurricane Katrina’s devastation] firsthand in May of 2006 when myself and 20 of my teammates went down to New Orleans and spent a week mucking houses. The resiliency of that city is incredible.”
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— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) September 5, 2025
On the field, Braun praised veteran wideout Garner Wallace. “He’s stayed the course,” Braun said. “We just said, how can we not have this guy on the field? I think Garner Wallace has an opportunity to have a huge impact this entire season.” He also stressed support for quarterback Preston Stone, who threw three interceptions in his Wildcat debut. “Truth is kind,” Braun said. “He knows he didn’t play well. But Preston Stone, I got your back. We got your back. We believe in you, man. Let’s respond.”
The Wildcats will host Western Illinois on tonight at Ryan Field.
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