Former SMU backup quarterback Preston Stone is set to get his shot against Penn State.<\/p>\n
Stone announced his transfer portal commitment to Northwestern minutes after the Nittany Lions\u2019 playoff win over the Mustangs last December, and he headlines the Wildcats, who are 3-2 on the year and 1-1 in Big Ten play this year.<\/p>\n
The team is coming off a 42-7 win over UL Monroe last weekend, and James Franklin talked about what Northwestern has shown thus far this season after Wednesday\u2019s practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey do a really good job,\u201d Franklin said. \u201cThey play hard. They’re usually an old team. They don’t do a lot. What they do, they do well, and they got a few wrinkles to keep you honest, and they’re going to make you earn it, right? You look at them statistically, their statistics are pretty interesting. I’m not talking about necessarily in the conference, but by game, they’ve won a bunch of categories.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Penn State football head coach James Franklin listens to a question during a press conference in Beaver Stadium on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025 in University Park, Pa.<\/p>\n
Sawyer Hadlum<\/p>\n
Here are a few Wildcats to watch in Saturday\u2019s game.<\/p>\n
Preston Stone, quarterback<\/strong><\/p>\n Stone started his season with a four-interception day against Tulane, but his touchdown-to-interception ratio has improved since. Excluding the opener, Stone has seven touchdowns and two picks this year.<\/p>\n Stone\u2019s coming off a productive week versus UL Monroe, completing 64.5% of his passes for 262 yards and three scores. He\u2019s in his fifth collegiate year after transferring in from SMU with 918 passing yards thus far.<\/p>\n The Dallas native doesn\u2019t often take off with his legs, tallying 23 attempts through five games, but it\u2019s possible he can pick up chunk gains. Stone had a 30-yard rush on a second-and-10 play against the Warhawks that helped set up a touchdown drive.<\/p>\n Caleb Komolafe, running back<\/strong><\/p>\n Running back Caleb Komolafe has totaled a touchdown in three-straight games, including a pair of scores last week against UL Monroe. With 75 attempts, the redshirt sophomore is taking the majority of carries out of Northwestern\u2019s backfield during his first season as the starter.<\/p>\n Komolafe is averaging 4.5 yards per carry this season. Versus UCLA, Komolafe took 27 attempts for 119 yards, and he had 13 carries for 75 yards against the Warhawks.<\/p>\n He\u2019s flashed power on the ground and is capable of taking on a large workload, so he may be a test for Jim Knowles\u2019 run defense.<\/p>\n Komolafe can run up the middle or off the tackles, but Northwestern\u2019s offense doesn\u2019t get him involved in the passing game as he has two catches for zero yards this season.<\/p>\n Mac Uihlein, linebacker<\/strong><\/p>\n Linebacker Mac Uihlein has been a consistent contributor on Northwestern\u2019s defense, tallying at least four tackles in every game this season so far. He\u2019s got 34 tackles this year with a season-high nine tackles coming against Tulane.<\/p>\n Uihlein is used in pass coverage as he has two interceptions on the year. He\u2019s been targeted 12 times, allowing 12 catches for 51 yards, getting reps in the slot when he\u2019s not in the box.<\/p>\n For Penn State\u2019s offense, Uihlein could be the player to beat if it wants to get its tight ends involved.<\/p>\n He\u2019s not often asked to pass rush with one pressure this season, but he has made his mark in run defense.<\/p>\n Aiden Hubbard, defensive lineman<\/strong><\/p>\n Defensive lineman Aiden Hubbard has Northwestern\u2019s team-high in sacks this season with 2.5. He primarily lines up as an edge rusher but also has seen some work from the interior.<\/p>\n Hubbard had a tackle and a sack in his most recent outing against the Warhawks.<\/p>\n He\u2019s another experienced player on defense as he\u2019s in his senior year. Keeping a clean pocket for Allar could start with containing Hubbard\u2019s impacts on the line.<\/p>\n MORE FOOTBALL COVERAGE<\/strong><\/p>\n
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