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    Sunday, October 06, 2024

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

    Northern Illinois running back Antario Brown (1) runs the ball during an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)

    South Bend, Ind. — Kanon Woodill hit a 35-yard field goal with 31 seconds to play and 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.

    Notre Dame (1-1), on the heels of an impressive road win over Texas A&M, 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.

    Knighten's interception set up the winning field goal from Woodill, his third of the day.

    Notre Dame struck first as Leonard side-stepped 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 Notre Dame defensive backs for an 83-yard touchdown reception on a pass from Ethan 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.

    The takeaway

    Notre Dame has plenty of work to do on the offensive side as a young Fighting Irish offensive line struggled to establish command of the line.

    A veteran Northern Illinois squad has now firmly established itself as a contender in the Mid-American Conference.

    Poll implications

    Notre Dame will take a plunge in the rankings but likely stay in the Top 25.

    Northern Illinois could receive a significant number of votes.

    Up next

    Notre Dame: Travels to West Lafayette to take on in-state rival Purdue on Saturday.

    Northern Illinois: Gets a week off and then hosts Buffalo on Sept. 21.

    Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock, center, talks into his headset during an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
    Northern Illinois quarterback Ethan Hampton throws a pass during an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
    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)
    Notre Dame wide receiver Jaden Greathouse, right, cannot hold onto a pass as Northern Illinois defensive back Jashon Prophete, left, pursues during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)
    Northern Illinois line backer Christian Fuhrman, top, comes up with an interception after Northern Illinois safety Nate Valcarcel, left, deflected a pass intended for Notre Dame wide receiver Jaden Greathouse, right, during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)

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