Marchiol to Start for Northwestern vs. Iowa
Fifth-year quarterback Nicco Marchiol will take over for injured Aidan Chiles when Northwestern hosts No. 19 Iowa on Saturday.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football
Northwestern will start Nicco Marchiol at quarterback in place of Aidan Chiles, who is expected to miss the matchup against No. 19 Iowa. The start will be Marchiol's first for the Wildcats this Saturday, following two appearances this season.
Why it matters
Chiles is Northwestern's starting quarterback, so his absence changes the Wildcats' offense for a ranked opponent. Marchiol, a transfer with a prior starting record at West Virginia, will be asked to lead the offense in a game with significant stakes.
Marchiol's career at West Virginia included 1,462 passing yards and 10 touchdowns with seven interceptions over 24 games and seven starts. His limited snaps this season total one pass attempt and two rushes for 22 yards, leaving his readiness for a full starting role untested.
The players
Nicco Marchiol
A fifth-year Northwestern quarterback who began his career as a four-star prospect at West Virginia and threw for 2,690 yards and 37 touchdowns at Hamilton High School.
Aidan Chiles
Northwestern's starting quarterback, who is expected to miss the matchup against No. 19 Iowa.
The details
Marchiol, a fifth-year quarterback, began his college career at West Virginia as a four-star prospect before transferring to Northwestern. He suffered a season-ending injury in the fourth game of the 2025 season, and in August 2026 discussed his transfer decision in a Northwestern video.
Timeline
Marchiol suffered a season-ending injury in the fourth game of the 2025 season.
Marchiol discussed his transfer decision in a Northwestern video in August 2026.
Marchiol makes his first Northwestern start against Iowa on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Marchiol's move into the starting role reflects a common pattern in the Big Ten, where transfer quarterbacks with prior starting experience fill gaps created by injury. For Northwestern, the outcome of this game bears on the Wildcats' position in a season that already depends on a limited quarterback depth chart.
Fantasy and betting readers tracking Northwestern's offense will need to adjust projections, since the starting quarterback's stats are now tied to Marchiol's limited game film. The change also affects how the Wildcats' offense may be weighted in any Saturday wagers or lineup decisions.
The takeaway
A quarterback change of this kind shows how depth in college football can matter as much as a team's starting lineup. Readers following the Wildcats should watch how Marchiol handles the first start against a ranked opponent.
What happens next
Northwestern hosts No. 19 Iowa on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2026, the first game with Marchiol as the starter.
Further reading
For more on the Wildcats' season, see Football coverage in Evanston.
