Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, November 15
Chicago, Ill.
11 a.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
#18 Michigan
NU Kicks Off Wrigley Field Slate Against Michigan
11/13/2025 6:56:00 PM | Football
CHICAGO — After back-to-back road tests, Northwestern will play the first of two games at Wrigley Field on Saturday, Nov. 15 against No. 18 Michigan at 11 a.m. CT.
Last time out, the Wildcats (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten) fell 38-17 at No. 20 USC in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Friday, Nov. 7. Redshirt sophomore running back Caleb Komolafe recorded his second consecutive 100-plus-yard rushing outing, amassing 158 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.
Junior wide receiver Griffin Wilde hauled in his fifth receiving touchdown of the season in the first quarter, the most by an NU pass catcher since Bryce Kirtz caught five and Cam Johnson snared six touchdown grabs in 2023.
The Wolverines (7-2, 5-1 Big Ten) knocked off Purdue 21-16 on Nov. 1 and will enter Saturday's game fresh off a bye week. Michigan has won three consecutive contests.
"Michigan's a really good football team — 7-2 — coach [Sherrone] Moore has done a great job and they're running the football at a really high level," Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun said. "Really balanced football team, really well-coached in all three phases and a great challenge for us as a program."
The two teams will vie for the George Jewett Trophy this Saturday, honoring the legacy of the first Black player to compete for both programs. Michigan has won both meetings since the trophy was established in 2021.
"Excited to be back at home and excited to celebrate a trailblazer in college football in George Jewett," Braun said.
The game will air on FOX. Gus Johnson (play-by-play) and Joel Klatt (color) will be on the call, with Jenny Taft on the sidelines.
It can be heard on WGN 720 AM with The Voice of the Wildcats, Dave Eanet, who is in his 36th season calling Northwestern football, and 32nd-year analyst Ted Albrecht. Former Wildcat defensive lineman Jake Saunders, (2016-2020) is in his first season as the duo's sideline reporter.
Stay tuned to Northwestern football's Twitter and Instagram channels for live highlights, photos and reactions throughout the Wildcats' Wrigley tilt.
As NU seeks bowl eligibility against Michigan, here are five things to know.
1. Braun Views The Friendly Confines As True Home Game
This season, the 'Cats recorded a 4-1 record in Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. They'll shift to the intersection of Clark & Addison for their final two home games in 2025, but Braun doesn't perceive the facility change as a sizable shift to the team's process.
"First off, so thankful to the Cubs for the opportunity to play home games at Wrigley Field," Braun said. "But secondly, the truth is, we've been pretty good at home this year, and we're playing at home. That's the reality. We say we're Chicago's Big Ten Team, we're playing in Chicago at The Friendly Confines, we're playing at home."
Braun added that significant progress has been made in recent seasons to quickly transform the storied ballpark into a true football environment.
"The Cubs have done a really good job of positioning us," Braun said. "Unless you are really paying attention, you don't feel like it's any different. It positions both teams to operate at an optimal level, and that's a credit to everyone involved in getting that done."
2. Komolafe's Purple Patch
After featuring as a complementary back in 2024, Komolafe has transcended his play with additional touches this year. The feature running back has tallied 726 yards on 141 attempts (5.15 yards per carry) and punched in eight touchdowns.
Komolafe's yardage marks the most by a Wildcat since Evan Hull rushed for 913 yards in 2022, and he's the first NU running back to score at least eight rushing touchdowns since Justin Jackson in 2017.
"Caleb Komolafe has truly turned himself into an every-down back in the Big Ten that can handle a larger workload than he's had in the past," Braun said. "That's awesome to see."
The redshirt sophomore has rushed 34 times for 243 yards and three touchdowns in his past two games, the most by a Wildcat in a two-game stretch in conference play since Isaiah Bowser accumulated 250 yards against Minnesota and Illinois in 2018.
3. Entering the Season's Final Quarter
With three games remaining on the regular-season schedule, many of the Wildcats' 2025 goals remain within reach. They're one win away from securing bowl eligibility for the first time since 2023 and have a shot at earning their first ranked win of the Braun era on Saturday.
For Braun, the group must remain grounded in the moment.
"A successful three-game stretch starts with a win this week," Braun said. "This team truly believes that we can beat anyone that we play. It's really easy to live in the frustrations of could this team be 7-2 right now? It's a great opportunity for us to get back home, get back into our winning ways and ultimately secure a spot in the postseason."
4. Scouting the Wolverines
Michigan ranks third in the Big ten in rushing offense, averaging 223.8 yards per game. First-year signal caller Bryce Underwood has thrown for 1,671 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions, and he's added 272 yards and four scores on the ground.
"[He's] a really young, very talented quarterback that has started to settle in and is playing at a really high level," Braun said. "When things break down for him, [it's] extremely scary when he starts to utilize his legs."
Running back Justice Haynes leads the Wolverines with 857 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, while Jordan Marshall follows closely behind with 729 yards and eight scores.
Michigan boasts the conference's No. 3 rushing defense and No. 10 pass defense. The Wolverines also surrender the 13th fewest points in the nation at 17.2 points allowed per game.
5. Matchup History
Northwestern will target its first win over Michigan since knocking off the Wolverines 21-14 in Ann Arbor during the 2008 season.
Michigan has won seven of the past eight meetings and holds a 58-14-2 advantage in the all-time series.
Saturday will mark the second time the two teams match up in Chicago and the first meeting between the two in Windy City in 100 years, when the 'Cats defeated Michigan 3-2 on Nov. 7, 1925, at Soldier Field due to Dyche Stadium's construction.
Last time out, the Wildcats (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten) fell 38-17 at No. 20 USC in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Friday, Nov. 7. Redshirt sophomore running back Caleb Komolafe recorded his second consecutive 100-plus-yard rushing outing, amassing 158 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.
Junior wide receiver Griffin Wilde hauled in his fifth receiving touchdown of the season in the first quarter, the most by an NU pass catcher since Bryce Kirtz caught five and Cam Johnson snared six touchdown grabs in 2023.
The Wolverines (7-2, 5-1 Big Ten) knocked off Purdue 21-16 on Nov. 1 and will enter Saturday's game fresh off a bye week. Michigan has won three consecutive contests.
"Michigan's a really good football team — 7-2 — coach [Sherrone] Moore has done a great job and they're running the football at a really high level," Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun said. "Really balanced football team, really well-coached in all three phases and a great challenge for us as a program."
The two teams will vie for the George Jewett Trophy this Saturday, honoring the legacy of the first Black player to compete for both programs. Michigan has won both meetings since the trophy was established in 2021.
"Excited to be back at home and excited to celebrate a trailblazer in college football in George Jewett," Braun said.
The game will air on FOX. Gus Johnson (play-by-play) and Joel Klatt (color) will be on the call, with Jenny Taft on the sidelines.
It can be heard on WGN 720 AM with The Voice of the Wildcats, Dave Eanet, who is in his 36th season calling Northwestern football, and 32nd-year analyst Ted Albrecht. Former Wildcat defensive lineman Jake Saunders, (2016-2020) is in his first season as the duo's sideline reporter.
Stay tuned to Northwestern football's Twitter and Instagram channels for live highlights, photos and reactions throughout the Wildcats' Wrigley tilt.
As NU seeks bowl eligibility against Michigan, here are five things to know.
1. Braun Views The Friendly Confines As True Home Game
This season, the 'Cats recorded a 4-1 record in Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. They'll shift to the intersection of Clark & Addison for their final two home games in 2025, but Braun doesn't perceive the facility change as a sizable shift to the team's process.
"First off, so thankful to the Cubs for the opportunity to play home games at Wrigley Field," Braun said. "But secondly, the truth is, we've been pretty good at home this year, and we're playing at home. That's the reality. We say we're Chicago's Big Ten Team, we're playing in Chicago at The Friendly Confines, we're playing at home."
Braun added that significant progress has been made in recent seasons to quickly transform the storied ballpark into a true football environment.
"The Cubs have done a really good job of positioning us," Braun said. "Unless you are really paying attention, you don't feel like it's any different. It positions both teams to operate at an optimal level, and that's a credit to everyone involved in getting that done."
2. Komolafe's Purple Patch
After featuring as a complementary back in 2024, Komolafe has transcended his play with additional touches this year. The feature running back has tallied 726 yards on 141 attempts (5.15 yards per carry) and punched in eight touchdowns.
Komolafe's yardage marks the most by a Wildcat since Evan Hull rushed for 913 yards in 2022, and he's the first NU running back to score at least eight rushing touchdowns since Justin Jackson in 2017.
"Caleb Komolafe has truly turned himself into an every-down back in the Big Ten that can handle a larger workload than he's had in the past," Braun said. "That's awesome to see."
The redshirt sophomore has rushed 34 times for 243 yards and three touchdowns in his past two games, the most by a Wildcat in a two-game stretch in conference play since Isaiah Bowser accumulated 250 yards against Minnesota and Illinois in 2018.
3. Entering the Season's Final Quarter
With three games remaining on the regular-season schedule, many of the Wildcats' 2025 goals remain within reach. They're one win away from securing bowl eligibility for the first time since 2023 and have a shot at earning their first ranked win of the Braun era on Saturday.
For Braun, the group must remain grounded in the moment.
"A successful three-game stretch starts with a win this week," Braun said. "This team truly believes that we can beat anyone that we play. It's really easy to live in the frustrations of could this team be 7-2 right now? It's a great opportunity for us to get back home, get back into our winning ways and ultimately secure a spot in the postseason."
4. Scouting the Wolverines
Michigan ranks third in the Big ten in rushing offense, averaging 223.8 yards per game. First-year signal caller Bryce Underwood has thrown for 1,671 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions, and he's added 272 yards and four scores on the ground.
"[He's] a really young, very talented quarterback that has started to settle in and is playing at a really high level," Braun said. "When things break down for him, [it's] extremely scary when he starts to utilize his legs."
Running back Justice Haynes leads the Wolverines with 857 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, while Jordan Marshall follows closely behind with 729 yards and eight scores.
Michigan boasts the conference's No. 3 rushing defense and No. 10 pass defense. The Wolverines also surrender the 13th fewest points in the nation at 17.2 points allowed per game.
5. Matchup History
Northwestern will target its first win over Michigan since knocking off the Wolverines 21-14 in Ann Arbor during the 2008 season.
Michigan has won seven of the past eight meetings and holds a 58-14-2 advantage in the all-time series.
Saturday will mark the second time the two teams match up in Chicago and the first meeting between the two in Windy City in 100 years, when the 'Cats defeated Michigan 3-2 on Nov. 7, 1925, at Soldier Field due to Dyche Stadium's construction.
Players Mentioned
Football - Michigan Game Week Press Conference (11/10/25)
Monday, November 10
Football - USC Postgame Press Conference (11/7/25)
Saturday, November 08
Football - USC Game Week Press Conference (11/3/25)
Monday, November 03
Football - Nebraska Postgame Press Conference (10/25/25)
Saturday, October 25
