Komolafe’s Profession Sport Propels Northwestern to Win over UCLA

EVANSTON, Ill. —  Redshirt sophomore working again Caleb Komolafe wanted a couple of additional minutes within the chilly tub earlier than entering into Northwestern’s post-game press convention on Saturday.

After Komolafe took 27 carries for 119 profession yards — each profession highs — and a landing within the Wildcats’ (2-2, 1-1 Big Ten) 17-14 victory over UCLA at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, such quick restoration measures have been duly warranted for a participant teammates lately dubbed “Komolafe the Beast.”

“I wasn’t really focused on [the numbers], I was just running the ball the best I could,” Komolafe mentioned of his profession 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 turned the primary 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 dashing rating within the second quarter helped the Wildcats construct a 17-3 halftime benefit.

With Komolafe working because the backfield bell-cow and redshirt junior Joseph Himon II including a change-of-pace on explosives, the Wildcats’ dashing assault accrued 199 yards on the bottom. Himon, who ripped off a 24-yard run in a Wildcat package deal that includes redshirt first-year Ryan Boe at quarterback, completed with 58 yards on eight carries.

“They can definitely jump-start our offense when we’re stalling out a bit,” mentioned quarterback Preston Stone, who legged out a 10-yard scamper of his personal 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 pupil working again Cam Porter suffered a season-ending damage in Week 2 in opposition to Western Illinois, Braun careworn that the backfield would doubtless function by committee sans the three-time captain. 

Facing a UCLA protection that entered Evanston averaging 244 dashing yards allowed per sport, Braun knew the tandem of Komolafe and Himon wanted to fulfill the second to make sure the Wildcats’ greatest shot at a primary convention 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 mentioned. “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 fast to set the tone on the opening drive, dashing seven instances for 34 yards as Northwestern milked greater than 9 minutes off the clock. Possessions proved restricted within the convention conflict, with the Wildcats working to determine the run and maximize their alternatives. 

While Braun quipped that it actually was not within the script to feed Komolafe on 27 separate events, he mentioned the redshirt sophomore is wired to step up every time his quantity is known as.

“He can carry that load, that level of consistency and go,” Braun mentioned 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 have been fast to credit score the groundwork laid by the offensive line all through Saturday’s contest. Stone known as the place group the Wildcats’ prime unit, whereas Komolafe carries one phrase for the offensive line’s output:

“Dominant.”

“I trust them with my life,” Komolafe mentioned. “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 tub mixed with the elation of the primary Big Ten victory had him feeling “pretty good,” regardless of the heavy workload, he’ll look to construct on a profession dashing efficiency in Northwestern’s last non-conference sport Saturday, Oct. 4, in opposition to ULM at 2:30 p.m. CT.

As he and his backfield colleagues proceed to fill the sneakers of his longtime mentor Porter, Komolafe mentioned consistency in preparation might 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 mentioned.