Northwestern University made its debut at Ryan Field on Friday after nearly three years of demolition and construction and exactly 100 years after the original stadium opened in 1926.
The Wildcats hosted Penn State for a Friday night Big Ten football game. The Nittany Lions lead the historical series 16-6, but the Wildcats won their last meeting 22-21 on Oct. 11, 2025—their first victory against Penn State since a 23-21 win on Nov. 7, 2015.
On Friday, it seemed the Wildcats were looking to add to their win streak over the Nittany Lions, while attempting to secure their first victory at Ryan Field since 2023.
In the first quarter, the Wildcats took a 3-0 lead after kicker Jackson Kleather nailed a 50-yard field goal, posting the first points in the new stadium. Later in the first quarter, quarterback Aidan Chiles scored the first touchdown for Northwestern on a quarterback sneak, taking a 10-0 lead into the second quarter.
The early lead was electric for a Wildcat fanbase that has been patiently waiting to celebrate at Ryan Field. Tailgaters were out in full force on Friday; many have enjoyed the tradition for decades, while others were attending their first game, giving college students the chance to experience a brand-new stadium with an electric atmosphere.