advertisement

Upset! Northern Illinois stuns No. 5 Notre Dame 16-14 with field goal in final minute

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Kanon Woodill hit a 35-yard field goal with 31 seconds to play, Cade Haberman blocked a 62-yard try as time expired and Northern Illinois stunned No. 5 Notre Dame 16-14 on Saturday.

Haberman blocked the 62-yard attempt by Notre Dame's Mitch Jeter, allowing the jubilant Huskies to claim their first nonconference victory against a ranked opponent since a 19-16 upset of No. 21 Alabama in 2003. It was also the Huskies' first victory over a top 10 opponent.

Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock was emotional after the dramatic victory.

Northern Illinois players celebrate on the field after defeating Notre Dame in an NCAA college football game Saturday Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina) AP

“We didn't need luck,” Hammock said. “That was our theme. I didn't think we needed luck. We just need to play our best. It wasn't the cleanest for us, but we played hard for four quarters and stayed together. They worked together, they believed, and they made enough plays to win a game.

“This is a program-changing type win, no different than when we beat Alabama a while ago.”

Hammond said his Huskies measured up to Notre Dame.

“I think we were bigger than what they thought,” Hammock said. “We're not a normal MAC team, in my opinion. We're big on the offensive and defensive lines and we're physical. I didn't look at it as a mismatch in that capacity.”

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman looks to the scoreboard during an NCAA college football game against Northern Illinois, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina) AP

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said the loss was disappointing, especially on the heels of an impressive road win over then-No. 20 Texas A&M

“You know, it's our job as coaches to make sure these guys are ready to go. You go from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in a tale of two weeks, but we've got to own this thing,” Freeman said. “As coaches and players, we've got to own it, and we've got to fix it.”

Notre Dame (1-1) looked like it was in position to get some separation from Northern Illinois (2-0) as it clung to a 14-13 lead in the fourth quarter. The Fighting Irish gained possession after a punt with 7:49 left and drove from their 25 to the Northern Illinois 49.

Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard launched a pass deep up the middle intended for Kris Mitchell, but Amariyun Knighten made the interception and returned it 33 yards to the 50-yard line with 5:55 to play.

Northern Illinois kicker Kanon Woodill (92) celebrates with punter Tom Foley (98) after making a go-ahead field goal as Notre Dame defensive back Christian Gray (29) looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina) AP

“It was a completely bad read,” Leonard said of the interception. “That single high safety was attached to the inside post. I thought he wouldn't attach again. Bad eyes, bad feet, bad ball. That resulted in a pick. Can't happen. Completely my fault.”

The Huskies worked the clock and drove to the Notre Dame 19, setting the stage for Woodill's field goal. A key play on the drive was converting a fourth-and-two with a 3-yard run by quarterback Ethan Hampton to the Notre Dame 28.

The first-down conversion from Hampton, who was 10 of 19 for 198 yards and a touchdown, set up the winning field goal from Woodill, his third made kick of the day.

“It's amazing,” Hampton said of the victory. “It's something I'll remember forever. I grew up a Huskie fan. Playing here has been a dream for me.”

Notre Dame struck first as Leonard sidestepped the defense for an 11-yard touchdown run with 8:28 left in the first quarter.

It only took five plays for Northern Illinois to answer as Antario Brown broke loose between two defensive backs for an 83-yard touchdown reception on a pass from Hampton.

A pair of field goals by Woodill from 42 and 21 yards gave the Huskies a 13-7 halftime lead. Notre Dame had the chance to make it 13-10 before half, but Haberman blocked a 48-yard try from Jeter.

Woodill missed a 53-yard field-goal attempt on the first possession of the second half, and Notre Dame took advantage.

Jeremiyah Love broke loose for a 34-yard touchdown run, hurdling a defender on the way to the end zone. Mitch Jeter's extra point gave Notre Dame a 14-13 lead with 8:34 left in the third quarter.

Leonard finished 20 of 32 for 163 yards and 2 interceptions.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.