Komolafe’s Career Game Propels Northwestern to Win over UCLA

After Komolafe took 27 carries for 119 career yards — both career highs — and a touchdown in the Wildcats’ (2-2, 1-1 Big Ten) 17-14 victory over UCLA at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, such immediate recovery measures were duly warranted for a player teammates recently dubbed “Komolafe the Beast.”

“I wasn’t really focused on [the numbers], I was just running the ball the best I could,” Komolafe said of his career day. “Just getting the ball, trying to get downhill and make the most of each carry.”

Against the Bruins (0-4, 0-1 Big Ten), the Katy, Texas, native became the first Northwestern rusher to eclipse the 100-yard mark in Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun‘s tenure. Komolafe’s nine-yard rushing score in the second quarter helped the Wildcats build a 17-3 halftime advantage.

With Komolafe operating as the backfield bell-cow and redshirt junior Joseph Himon II adding a change-of-pace on explosives, the Wildcats’ rushing attack accumulated 199 yards on the ground. Himon, who ripped off a 24-yard run in a Wildcat package featuring redshirt first-year Ryan Boe at quarterback, finished with 58 yards on eight carries.

“They can definitely jump-start our offense when we’re stalling out a bit,” said quarterback Preston Stone, who legged out a 10-yard scamper of his own Saturday. “We have to find ways to get those two the ball, whether it’s between the tackles, jet sweeps with Joe on the outside, or just calling a play and giving Caleb the ball, usually something good is going to happen.”

When graduate student running back Cam Porter suffered a season-ending injury in Week 2 against Western Illinois, Braun stressed that the backfield would likely operate by committee sans the three-time captain. 

Facing a UCLA defense that entered Evanston averaging 244 rushing yards allowed per game, Braun knew the tandem of Komolafe and Himon needed to meet the moment to ensure the Wildcats’ best shot at a first conference win.

“There’s a certain level of confidence with all our backs, but specifically Caleb [Komolafe] and Joe [Himon], in terms of the guys they’re running behind and the way they’re finishing runs,” Braun said. “Both have unique skill sets and play well off one another.”

“You saw today, especially in the first half, the efficiency and opportunity for explosiveness in our passing game that can show up when we’re running the ball effectively.”

Komolafe was quick to set the tone on the opening drive, rushing seven times for 34 yards as Northwestern milked more than nine minutes off the clock. Possessions proved limited in the conference clash, with the Wildcats working to establish the run and maximize their opportunities. 

While Braun quipped that it certainly was not in the script to feed Komolafe on 27 separate occasions, he said the redshirt sophomore is wired to step up whenever his number is called.

“He can carry that load, that level of consistency and go,” Braun said of Komolafe. “Caleb has continued to grow and grow. We have got some running back by committee for sure, but a guy like [Komolafe] having 27 carries and over 100 yards, that fires me up. That’s something that’s going to have to show up throughout the season.”

Both Stone and Komolafe were quick to credit the groundwork laid by the offensive line throughout Saturday’s contest. Stone called the position group the Wildcats’ top unit, while Komolafe carries one word for the offensive line’s output:

“Dominant.”

“I trust them with my life,” Komolafe said. “Every play, when I go out there and we call a run, I’m excited. Then it goes to the preparation we do in practice, the extra time we spend watching film, and we know we’re going to be successful.”

For Komolafe, whose postgame ice bath combined with the elation of the first Big Ten victory had him feeling “pretty good,” despite the heavy workload, he will look to build on a career rushing performance in Northwestern’s final non-conference game Saturday, Oct. 4, against ULM at 2:30 p.m. CT.

As he and his backfield colleagues continue to fill the shoes of his longtime mentor Porter, Komolafe said consistency in preparation will be pivotal for sustained success.

“[We’re] just trusting in what the coaches had instilled in their game plan and just dominate the process and do what we have to do to get the victory,” Komolafe said.