How to Watch Northwestern vs. Western Illinois: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream – September 5, 2025

Updated Sep. 5, 2025 7:28 p.m. ET

FOX Sports

At 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday, the Western Illinois Leathernecks (0-1) take on Cam Porter and the Northwestern Wildcats (0-1). The matchup is on BTN, if you're searching for how to watch.

Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports. Learn more about the Northwestern Wildcats and the Western Illinois Leathernecks.

How to Watch Northwestern vs. Western Illinois

When: Friday, September 5, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois
TV Channel: BTN
Streaming: FOXSports.com, FOX Sports App and FOX One (Try free for 7 days)

Northwestern's 2025 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Score
8/30/2025	at Tulane	L 23-3
9/5/2025	vs. Western Illinois	-
9/13/2025	vs. Oregon	-
9/27/2025	vs. UCLA	-
10/4/2025	vs. Louisiana-Monroe	-
10/11/2025	at Penn State	-
10/18/2025	vs. Purdue	-
10/25/2025	at Nebraska	-
11/7/2025	at USC	-
11/15/2025	vs. Michigan	-
11/22/2025	vs. Minnesota	-
11/29/2025	at Illinois	-

Northwestern 2025 Stats & Insights

Northwestern has been a bottom-25 offense this season, ranking 15th-worst with 237 yards per contest. The defensive side of the ball is ranked 109th in the FBS (421 yards allowed per game).
From an offensive standpoint, Northwestern ranks 95th in the FBS with 161 passing yards per game. Meanwhile, the defense ranks 47th in passing yards allowed per contest (152).
The Wildcats rank fourth-worst in scoring offense (3 points per game), but they've played a little better on defense, ranking 89th with 23 points allowed per game.
The Wildcats rank 16th-worst in rushing offense (76 rushing yards per game) and ninth-worst in rushing defense (269 rushing yards per game allowed) this year.
Northwestern is averaging a 41.7% third-down conversion rate on offense, which ranks them 63rd in the FBS. Defensively, the defense ranks 88th, surrendering a 40% third-down conversion rate.

Northwestern 2025 Key Players

Name	Position	Stats
Griffin Wilde	WR	6 REC / 64 YDS / 0 TD / 64 YPG
Joseph Himon II	RB	38 YDS / 0 TD / 38 YPG / 4.8 YPC 3 REC / 24 REC YDS / 0 REC TD / 24 REC YPG
Cam Porter	RB	46 YDS / 0 TD / 46 YPG / 7.7 YPC
Caleb Komolafe	RB	34 YDS / 0 TD / 34 YPG / 3.8 YPC
Robert Fitzgerald	DB	12 TKL / 0 TFL
Mac Uihlein	LB	8 TKL / 2 TFL
Aidan Hubbard	DL	3 TKL / 1 TFL / 1 SACK
Garner Wallace	DB	8 TKL / 0 TFL

Western Illinois' 2025 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Score
8/29/2025	at Illinois	L 52-3
9/5/2025	at Northwestern	-
9/13/2025	vs. Valparaiso	-
9/20/2025	at Eastern Washington	-
9/27/2025	vs. Eastern Illinois	-
10/4/2025	at Tennessee Tech	-
10/11/2025	at Tennessee-Martin	-
10/18/2025	vs. Charleston Southern	-
10/25/2025	at Tennessee State	-
11/8/2025	vs. Lindenwood	-
11/15/2025	vs. Southeast Missouri State	-
11/22/2025	at Gardner-Webb	-

Western Illinois 2025 Stats & Insights

In terms of total yards, Western Illinois ranks 104th in the FCS (163 total yards per game) and 78th on defense (440 total yards allowed per contest).
From an offensive standpoint, Western Illinois is putting up 134 passing yards per game (79th-ranked). It ranks 67th in the FCS on defense (231 passing yards allowed per game).
With 3 points per game on offense, the Leathernecks rank 104th in the FCS. Defensively, they rank 104th, giving up 52 points per contest.
The Leathernecks rank 23rd-worst in rushing yards per game (29), but they've been more productive on the other side of the ball, ranking 86th in the FCS with 209 rushing yards conceded per contest.
From an offensive perspective, Western Illinois is generating a 35.7% third-down conversion percentage (40th-ranked). It ranks 69th in the FCS on defense (44.4% third-down rate allowed).

Western Illinois 2025 Key Players

Name	Position	Stats
Demari Davis	WR	4 REC / 65 YDS / 0 TD / 65 YPG
Chris Irvin	QB	134 YDS (48.3%) / 0 TD / 0 INT
Brandon Lanier	TE	2 REC / 28 YDS / 0 TD / 28 YPG
Aric Johnson	WR	3 REC / 21 YDS / 0 TD / 21 YPG
Esteban Guillory	DB	9 TKL / 0 TFL
Kevin Washington Jr.	LB	7 TKL / 0 TFL / 0.5 SACK
David Dunston	DL	2 TKL / 1 TFL / 1 SACK
Jalen Nicolas	DL	1 TKL / 1 TFL / 1 SACK