In what was clearly the biggest upset in the history of Northern Illinois football, the Huskies went into South Bend this afternoon and upset 5th-ranked Notre Dame 16-14.
The margin of victory came on a Kanon Woodill 35-yard field goal with 31 seconds on the clock.
Northern (2-0) had previously been 0-14 against top 10 teams.
The heralded Notre Dame (0-1) defense held up reasonably well against the Huskies, surrendering only 16 points, but did allow the heavy underdogs nearly 400 yards in total offense, split almost evenly between 198 yards passing and 190 yards running.
NIU's local radio call of the win over Notre Dame is electric. pic.twitter.com/qJGHzzWlsD
— Shooter McGavin (@ShooterMcGavin_) September 8, 2024
On the other side of the ball, Notre Dame’s offense could only produce 286 total yards. That combined with giving up two interceptions was simply not enough to overcome the upset bid.
“I’m so proud of these guys,” said a tearful Thomas Hammock, Northern’s head coach, after the game. “With all this transfer portal and NIL stuff, we’ve remained a family. I’m just so proud.”
