The Northwestern running back was asked to give his take on facing the former Wildcats head coach.
The Northwestern Wildcats will face what could be a brand new rival on Oct. 17 in East Lansing, Michigan as coach David Braun's team will take on former NU coach Pat Fitzgerald and the Michigan State Spartans.
Fitzgerald, an ex-Northwestern linebacker and two-time First Team All-American player in Evanston, became the Wildcats' all-time winningest head coach before he was fired amid hazing allegations in July 2023.
The game is expected to be an emotional one for fans along with NU players and coaches who have ties to Fitzgerald, including defensive coordinator Tim McGarigle and running back Caleb Komolafe.
Komolafe spoke about the looming Oct. 17 matchup during which he shared his personal feelings on how things might go.
Nov 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA;Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Preston Stone (8) reacts after running back Caleb Komolafe(5) run against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images 'We Shouldn't Be Focused on That'
Komolafe cautioned against Wildcats players and coaches becoming too emotional about facing Fitzgerald's team as he spoke about the forthcoming game.
He was recruited by Fitzgerald before he was let go by the Wildcats in 2023.
"It'll be cool to see Coach Fitz," Komolafe said according to Chris Kwiecinski of Yahoo Sports.
"Ultimately, it's another game. I'm ready. It's, it's a football game."
Emotions are expected to run high when Braun's team faces Fitzgerald's team, but Komolafe wants to keep things businesslike.
"We shouldn't be focused on that," he said about the emotions of facing Fitzgerald.
"We'd be ready to just play Michigan State as a team on the field."
Aidan Chiles' Spartan Stadium Return
The game is also expected to be personal for projected Northwestern starting quarterback Aidan Chiles, who passed for over 4,000 yards and 22 touchdowns in two seasons with the Spartans.
Chiles infamously stated that he "no longer care(d) about the fans," except those who attended the game, after a 41-14 loss to Rutgers in 2024, a statement that many feel contributed to his eventual ousting as Michigan State's starting quarterback.
Now under the guidance of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, Chiles is expected to perform at his best in Evanston alongside offensive stars including Komolafe and All-Big Ten candidate Griffin Wilde at wide receiver.
Chiles and Komolafe hold the keys to the Wildcats' offensive engine, which will be put to the test against the Spartans' new look defense under new co-coordinator Max Bullough on Oct. 17.
Both Wildcats starters are saying all the right things as the season begins, but expect game day to be different.
How each player harnesses the emotions that come with NU's biggest games, including against Fitzgerald and the Spartans, could determine the Wildcats' fate in a stacked Big Ten this season.
