2025 Nebraska-Northwestern football stats matchup

Here’s how the Cornhuskers and Wildcats match up statistically entering their Oct. 25 game in Lincoln. Average national ranking in categories listed: Nebraska 48.2, Northwestern 56.6.
  NEBRASKA  

5-2 (2-2)
NORTHWESTERN

5-2 (3-1)
Stat Rank Stat Rank
Rushing offense 125.0 104 190.1 38
Passing offense 291.1 17 174.3 112
Pass efficiency 168.82 11 122.88 105
Total offense 416.1 50 364.4 89
Scoring offense 36.0 29 22.7 99
Rushing defense 156.3 87 136.7 56
Pass defense 123.0 1 168.6 18
Pass eff. defense 101.83 3 116.46 27
Total defense 279.3 13 305.3 22
Scoring defense 19.4 30 15.1 11
Net punting 39.22 81 39.50 69
Punt returns 14.40 18 1.67 131
Kickoff returns 27.27 14 18.75 92
Turnover margin 0.43 42 -0.57 107
Tackles for loss 6.1 40 4.0 119
Sacks 1.57 98 1.57 98
Sacks allowed 3.57 131 1.43 44
Third-down conversion 0.444 38 0.474 24
Third-down defense 0.286 10 0.414 92
Fourth-down conversion 0.333 121 0.615 51
Fourth-down defense 0.692 123 0.333 9
Red zone offense 0.853 67 0.880 53
Red zone defense 0.929 120 0.813 50
First downs offense 158 38 152 49
First downs defense 109 12 114 18
Fewest penalties 4.86 24 3.86 6
Fewest penalty yards 44.29 30 28.43 3
Time of possession 30:55 45 33:53 5
Power index* 9.8 31 3.3 56
Efficiency: Offense* 53.5 56 49.5 67
Efficiency: Defense* 64.5 40 62.0 51
Efficiency: Spec. Teams* 72.0 6 57.3 47
Efficiency: Overall* 65.4 43 57.8 62
Schedule strength* 67 67 43 43
*ESPN FPI analytics. Schedule strength does not include future opponents.
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• More pregame info: HuskerMax game page