Football

Notre Dame suffers gorgeous upset to Northern Illinois, Huskies report first ever win over top-10 opponent


Northern Illinois kicker Kanon Woodill’s 35-yard discipline purpose within the ultimate minute proved to be the distinction maker within the Huskies’ matchup with the fifth-ranked Notre Dame Preventing Irish

Notre Dame did attempt to pull off a last-second comeback, however a 62-yard discipline purpose was no good. Northern Illinois would go on to have a good time an unbelievable 16-14 victory in South Bend, Indiana.

The upset marked the Huskies first non-conference victory in opposition to a ranked opponent since a 19-16 win over the then-Twenty first Alabama Crimson Tide in 2003. It additionally gave Northern Illinois its first win in program historical past in opposition to a crew ranked within the top-10 of the AP High 25.

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College football players lineup before a snap

Sep 7, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies heart Logan Zschernitz (65) prepares to snap the ball within the first quarter in opposition to the Notre Dame Preventing Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. (Matt Cashore-Imagn Photos)

Notre Dame, on the heels of a powerful street win over Texas A&M, appeared prefer it was in place to get some separation from Northern Illinois because it clung to a 14-13 lead within the fourth quarter. The Preventing Irish gained possession after a punt with 7:49 left and drove from their 25 to the Northern Illinois 49.

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Preventing Irish quarterback Riley Leonard launched a go deep up the center meant for Kris Mitchell, however Amariyun Knighten made the interception and returned it 33 yards to the 50-yard line with 5:55 to play.

Northern Illinois football player makes a tackle

Northern Illinois security Santana Banner tackles Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard throughout a NCAA faculty soccer sport between Notre Dame and Northern Illinois at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Michael Clubb / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Knighten’s interception arrange the successful discipline purpose from Woodill, his third of the day.

Notre Dame struck first as quarterback Riley Leonard side-stepped the Huskies protection for an 11-yard landing run with 8:28 left within the first quarter.

Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock was emotional after the sport and mentioned he was “proud” of what his crew completed on Saturday.

Northern Illinois football players celebrate

Northern Illinois celebrates after wining a NCAA faculty soccer sport 16-14 in opposition to Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb / USA TODAY NETWORK)

“I’m so pleased with our children, the coaches, all people,” Hammock mentioned throughout a postgame tv interview as he wiped tears from his eyes. “They believed. They believed and we got here in and obtained it executed.”

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Notre Dame will seemingly drop significantly in subsequent week’s rankings earlier than they journey to West Lafayette for a sport in opposition to Purdue on Sept. 14. In the meantime, Northern Illinois will take pleasure in a bye week earlier than internet hosting Buffalo on Sept. 21.

The Related Press contributed to this report.

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