Western Illinois will take on Northwestern in a college football matchup on Friday at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Both teams are looking to recover from tough losses in their season openers.

The game is scheduled for September 5, 2025, at 7:30 PM ET. Fans can watch the game on the Big Ten Network or stream it on Fubo.

Both teams enter the game with a record of 0-1. Northwestern suffered a 23-3 defeat against Tulane, struggling with turnovers throughout the game. Quarterback Preston Stone had a challenging outing, throwing for only 161 yards and four interceptions, with a completion rate below 53%. The team's only bright spot was receiver Griffin Wilde, who recorded 64 receiving yards. Northwestern's defense struggled to contain big plays and failed to generate sufficient pressure, which hindered their offensive efforts.

In contrast, Western Illinois faced a significant setback, losing 52-3 to No. 12 Illinois. Despite the lopsided score, quarterback Chris Irvin managed to throw for 134 yards and added 20 rushing yards. Receiver Demar Davis led the team with 65 receiving yards. However, Western Illinois also faced challenges on the offensive line, allowing multiple sacks and quarterback hurries, which Northwestern will likely aim to exploit.

This matchup promises to be an exciting contest for college football fans. Be sure to tune in to catch all the action. Note that regional restrictions may apply.