Northern Illinois kicker Kanon Woodill’s 32-yard field goal in the final minute proved to be decisive in the Huskies’ duel against the fifth-placed Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday.
Notre Dame attempted a last-second comeback, but a 55-yard field goal was not enough. Northern Illinois eventually celebrated an improbable 16-14 victory in South Bend, Indiana.
For the Huskies, this was the first non-conference win against a top-ranked opponent since a 19-16 victory over the 21st-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in 2003. For Northern Illinois, it was also the first win in program history against a team ranked in the top 10 of the AP Top 25.
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Northern Illinois center Logan Zschernitz prepares to snap the ball in the first quarter against Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Matt Cashore/Images)
Notre Dame, fresh off an impressive road win over Texas A&M, looked to be able to pull away from Northern Illinois as it clung to a 14-13 lead in the fourth quarter. The Fighting Irish recovered the ball after a punt with 7:49 left and moved from their 25-yard line to the Northern Illinois 49-yard line.
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Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard threw a pass intended for Kris Mitchell deep down the middle, but Amariyun Knighten intercepted the ball and returned it 33 yards to the 50-yard line with 5:55 left.
Northern Illinois safety Santana Banner tackles Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard on Saturday, September 7, 2024. (Michael Clubb/USA TODAY NETWORK)
Knighten’s interception set up Woodill’s game-winning field goal, his third of the day.
Notre Dame struck first when quarterback Riley Leonard outsmarted the Huskies’ defense for an 11-yard touchdown run with 8:28 left in the first quarter.
Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock was emotional after the game and said he was “proud” of his team’s performance on Saturday.
Northern Illinois celebrates after defeating Notre Dame on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in South Bend. (Michael Clubb/USA TODAY NETWORK)
“I’m so proud of our kids, the coaches, everyone,” Hammock said in a postgame television interview, wiping tears from his eyes. “They believed in it. They believed in it, and we did it.”
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Notre Dame will likely drop in the rankings next week before traveling to West Lafayette for a game against Purdue on Sept. 14. Meanwhile, Northern Illinois will enjoy an off week before hosting Buffalo on Sept. 21.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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