Photos from the Northwestern-Penn State football game on Oct. 2, 2026, in Evanston. It marked the opening of the new $875 million Ryan Field.
Northwestern players interact with the student section after a victory over Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern celebrates after their victory over Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern celebrates after their victory over Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles (0) celebrates after a victory over Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern quarterback Aidan Chiles (0) celebrates after a victory over Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Fireworks are set off in the fourth quarter of a Northwestern-Penn State game at the new Ryan Field on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in Evanston. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern linebacker Braydon Brus (33) intercepts a ball in the fourth quarter of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern linebacker Braydon Brus (33) celebrates with teammate Robert Fitzgerald (6) after Brus intercepted the ball in the fourth quarter of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
A Northwestern fan cheers in the third quarter of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern head coach David Braun gives some direction to his team in the third quarter of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern defensive back Ore Adeyi (7) helps to break up a pass intended for Penn State wide receiver Chase Sowell (0) near the goal line in the second quarter of a game at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern running back Joseph Himon II (left) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern running back Joseph Himon II (6) dives in to score a touchdown in the second quarter of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern fans in the student section sing during a break in the action in the second quarter of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern running back Joseph Himon II (6) is congratulated after running in for a touchdown in the second quarter of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern running back Joseph Himon II (6) runs in for a touchdown in the second quarter of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern running back Joseph Himon II (6) runs in for a touchdown in the second quarter of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Penn State running back Carson Hansen (21) runs in for a touchdown in the second quarter of a game against Northwestern at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern students cheer at kick off of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. Friday’s event was the inaugural game at Ryan Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern students cheer at kick off of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Oct. 2, 2026. Friday’s event was the inaugural game at Ryan Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern running back Caleb Komolafe (5) runs the ball down to the goal line in the third quarter of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern running back Caleb Komolafe (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern linebacker Braydon Brus (33) intercepts a ball in the fourth quarter of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
A mural featuring the eyes of a cat is seen as the Northwestern band plays in the fourth quarter of a game between Northwestern and Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern running back Joseph Himon II (6) makes a move in the fourth quarter of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern runs onto the field as the team is introduced before taking on Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Oct. 2, 2026. Friday's event was the inaugural game at Ryan Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
A U.S. flag covers new Ryan Field in Evanston before a game between Northwestern and Penn State on Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern runs onto the field as the team is introduced before taking on Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern cheerleaders try to get the crowd motivated in the second quarter of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern players warm up for a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
The Northwestern band performs on the field at halftime of a game against Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern students take in the scene from the student section before the inaugural game at the new Ryan Field in Evanston between Northwestern and Penn State on Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern runs onto the field as the team is introduced before taking on Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. Fridays event was the inaugural game at Ryan Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
A player warms up on the new Ryan Field in Evanston before the start of a game between Northwestern and Penn State on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. Fridays event was the inaugural game at Ryan Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern students take in the scene from the student section before the inaugural game at the new Ryan Field in Evanston between Northwestern and Penn State on Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Northwestern and Penn State fans arrive at the new Ryan Field in Evanston prior to Northwestern’s inaugural game at the stadium on Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Pat Ryan (cq) has a laugh after participating in an official ribbon cutting for the opening of the new Ryan Field in Evanston prior to a game between Northwestern and Penn State on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Pat Ryan (cq) and Shirley Ryan (cq), center, join others in an official ribbon cutting for the opening of the new Ryan Field in Evanston prior to a game between Northwestern and Penn State on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
A statue of Pat Ryan (cq) greets fans as they arrive for the inaugural game between Northwestern and Penn State at the new Ryan Field in Evanston on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.(Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
