Northwestern’s student section at Ryan Field is college football’s new gold standard.
The $875 million stadium made its debut in spectacular fashion, unveiling a revolutionary new student section concept: the Wildcat Wall.
Built to replace the old Ryan Field, the new 35,000-seat venue is intentionally intimate, bringing fans closer to the action. At a fraction of the capacity of most traditional Big Ten stadiums, it is designed to make every seat — and every voice — matter.
Modeled after European soccer supporter sections, the standing-room-only student section holds approximately 2,000 fans behind the south end zone.
Built on a 33-degree incline directly above the visiting team’s locker room, it creates an intimidating homefield advantage.
During the Wildcats’ 34-13 rout of Penn State on Oct. 2, students stomped and banged on the aluminum bleachers, generating a deafening, thunderous roar.
The noise was so noticeable that it became a popular topic in Northwestern’s postgame news conference. Wildcats head coach David Braun was asked about the atmosphere and what it might mean for visiting teams going forward.
“It’s a different world,” Braun said. “What I will say is our opponents will no longer ever have to consider whether or not to have practices without noise or music. They’d better crank it up and get ready for the wild side and this student section.”
Safe to say the Wildcat Wall was an instant hit — and will be a nightmare for every team that travels to Evanston.
Other Week 5 highlights
- Iowa State’s Aiden Flora accounted for five touchdowns in a 45-42 shootout over West Virginia. The sophomore running back had 212 rushing yards and three TDs on 22 carries, and went 2-for-2 for 48 yards and two scores through the air. He’s only the second player in Big 12 history with at least two passing touchdowns, two rushing TDs and 200 yards on the ground in the same game. The first? Former Texas quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Vince Young.
- What more can you say about Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith? In the Buckeyes’ first two Big Ten games, the junior wide receiver has gone 12-217-4 and 11-206-2. Through five games, Smith has 44 receptions for 823 yards and nine touchdowns and has put himself atop the Heisman Trophy race.
- Minnesota beat Michigan 20-14 for its first victory over the Wolverines since 2014. Moreover, it was the first time the Golden Gophers got to lift the Little Brown Jug in front of their home fans since 1977. For context, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck was born in 1980. The Wolverines had won 35 of the previous 38 games in the 134-year-old series.
- How could we not mention Harvard stunning Colgate with a miraculous Hail Mary play as time expired. With his trailing by three with four seconds left from the 44-yard line, Crimson quarterback Charlie Smith heaved a desperation pass. Tight end Teigan Pelletier caught it near the 5-yard line and lateraled to Nate Bailey, who raced into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. Final: Harvard 20, Colgate 17.
Looking ahead: Georgia visits Alabama to highlight Week 6
Second-ranked Georgia (5-0, 3-0 SEC) and No. 6 Alabama (5-0, 3-0) will meet for the eighth time this decade on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) — Bama holds a 5-2 advantage — but only the fourth time in the regular season.
The Bulldogs’ two wins during that stretch came in the 2021 national championship game and the 2025 SEC title game. Georgia hasn’t won in Tuscaloosa since 2007.
Alabama has won the past five regular-season matchups between the teams and leads the all-time series 45-27-4.
Other Week 6 showdowns: Defending national champion Indiana, which hosts Ohio State in Week 7, faces what could a trap game at undefeated Nebraska (noon ET, Fox). … Oklahoma and Texas resume the Red River Rivalry (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. … USC heads to Happy Valley for Penn State’s annual White Out game (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC).
And finally …
Tony Reno, 52, who resigned in February after leading Yale to the Ivy League’s first FCS playoff win, died Friday.
One day later, his son, Dante Reno, threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 41-24 win over Merrimack.
RIP, coach.
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Mike Garbett is a content specialist working with McClatchy’s Content Innovation Lab.