Looking back at the week NIU was the center of the college football universe

Northern Illinois upset Notre Dame 16-14, allowing the Huskies to revel in the spotlight for an entire week.

When Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter’s field goal collided with the outstretched arm of Northern Illinois defensive tackle Cade Haberman, all 22 players on the field as well as the 77,622 spectators in South Bend, IN, realized they were witnessing history.

The Northern Illinois Huskies stormed into Notre Dame and stunned the Fighting Irish, 16-14.

‘Historic’ is a fitting word to describe the victory as Northern Illinois claimed its first-ever top 10 win in program history after kicking a go-ahead field goal and blocking Notre Dame’s rebuttal in the final minute. Prior to last Saturday, the Huskies’ highest-ranked win in program history was a 2003 emergence over No. 15 Maryland.

Northern Illinois mania ensued in the aftermath of the events that transpired in South Bend. The Huskies were at the forefront of the college football world all week, receiving honors and recognition from a myriad of sources. Here’s a rundown of every accomplishment and honor attained by NIU for its signature Week 2 triumph:

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No. 25 AP Poll ranking

Northern Illinois climbed from obscurity, receiving zero votes after the first two weeks of action, into the AP Poll after knocking off the Fighting Irish in a defensive-driven victory. The Huskies occupied the final spots in the rankings at No. 25 to secure their first AP Poll appearance since 2013, when they completed a 12-0 regular season headlined by Heisman finalist quarterback Jordan Lynch.

With a bye looming this weekend, Northern Illinois hopes to remain a fixture in the rankings, and the Huskies will benefit from Notre Dame’s success for the remainder of the season. However, the Fighting Irish are still ranked above Northern Illinois at No. 18, proving preseason expectations trump actual results, according to many AP voters.

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Cheez-It National Team of the Week

Every week since the start of the 2002 season, the Football Writers Association of America has named a national team of the week. The award is currently sponsored by Cheez-It and each recipient receives a Cheez-It care package.

Northern Illinois was named Cheez-It National Team of the Week for Week 2 of the 2024 campaign, edging candidates Iowa State and Texas to claim the honor. It is the second time NIU received this recognition, also earning it Week 3 of the 2017 season after knocking off Nebraska, 21-17.

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MAC Offensive Player of the Week

Antario Brown, RB

Running back Antario Brown claimed MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors for a standout performance as both a rusher and receiver in Northern Illinois’ 16-14 victory in South Bend. Brown led all players in the game in rushing with 99 yards and receiving with 126 yards, collecting 225 yards from scrimmage in aggregate.

Brown initiated the Huskies’ scoring effort on an 83-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. He only caught one other pass, but it was pivotal as his second quarter 43-yard snag set up a Northern Illinois field goal to establish a 13-7 halftime advantage. Brown thrived on the ground as well, averaging 5.0 yards per carry while nearly crossing the century mark in a showing Huskie fans will remember for the ages.

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MAC Defensive Player of the Week

Devonte O’Malley, DT

Notre Dame only scored 14 points in its own venue, and defensive tackle Devonte O’Malley can be credited for that. O’Malley totaled four tackles in the victory, including two sacks and three tackles for loss. He also forced a fumble in a dominant performance where Northern Illinois’ defense assertively won the battle in the trenches.

Notre Dame only produced 163 passing yards against a commanding front, firing two interceptions in the defeat. O’Malley played a major role in the Fighting Irish’s shortcomings as a commanding interior presence.

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MAC Special Teams Player of the Week

Cade Haberman, DT

What’s better than blocking one field goal? How about blocking two.

That’s exactly what defensive tackle Cade Haberman accomplished en route to a rare MAC Special Teams Player of the Week not rewarded to a kicker, punter, or return specialist. Haberman deflected Notre Dame’s 48-yard field goal attempt to conclude the first half, helping the Huskies hold onto a 6-point lead at the break. Then on Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter’s game-winning 62-yard attempt, Haberman once again refused to let the pigskin cross the line of scrimmage. He recorded his second block of the afternoon as the final seconds exhausted from the clock, igniting a fervent Northern Illinois celebration at Notre Dame Stadium.

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Bronko Nagurski Trophy National Defensive Player of the Week

Devonte O’Malley, DT

If a MAC Defensive Player of the Week honor wasn’t enough for Devonte O’Malley, how about a National Defensive Player of the Week award? The 6’2”, 293 pound senior tied his career-high with two sacks in the victory in Northern Illinois’ first ranked win since 2015.

O’Malley is the second Huskie to be associated with this honor, following program legend and defensive end Larry English who claimed it for a five-sack performance vs. Idaho in 2007.

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Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week

Amaryiun Knighten, CB

The Lott IMPACT Trophy recognizes the defensive player of the year, using the IMPACT acronym as a basis for the award. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity. Named after San Francisco 49ers great and Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott, the award recognized Amaryiun Knighten as the player of the week for Week 2.

Knighten registered three tackles and recorded one of Northern Illinois’ two interceptions on the afternoon. His interception transpired with roughly six minutes remaining while the Huskies trailed 14-13. Knighten recorded a 33-yard return to position his team at midfield, setting up kicker Kanon Woodill for the game-winning field goal.

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Lou Groza Award Star of the Week

Kanon Woodill, K

Three kickers receive the Lou Groza Award Star of the Week every week for exceptional performances in the special teams game. Northern Illinois’ Kanon Woodill shared the honor with SMU’s Collin Rogers and Pitt’s Ben Sauls in Week 2. Woodill sunk 3-of-4 field goal attempts in the game, including the most important kick of his life.

Woodill proved his clutch gene with 31 seconds remaining, stepping onto the field and draining a 35-yard field goal necessary for Northern Illinois to upend Notre Dame. Woodill also connected from 42 and 21 yards in the first half, providing 10 of the Huskies’ 16 points (with the extra point included) in the landmark win.

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Add one to the Boneyard

One of the coolest traditions in college football made its way into the national limelight this week. Dubbed “Boneyard wins,” the Huskies celebrate marquee victories over major programs, represented by a large bone supported on a wall by a pair of chains. Etched onto each bone is the score of NIU’s winning effort in the “Boneyard win,” and behind each bone is the logo of the Huskies’ victim on that particular day.

Notre Dame became the 19th entrant into the Boneyard after Saturday’s historic finish. The Fighting Irish are the first addition to the display since Boston College joined the ranks last September. Head coach Thomas Hammock notched his third Boneyard win and the 11th since 2009.

A complete list is as follows:

• September 3, 1983: Northern Illinois 37, Kansas 34
• September 17, 1988: Northern Illinois 19, Wisconsin 17
• September 23, 1989: Northern Illinois 37, Kansas State 20
• September 22, 1990: Northern Illinois 42, Kansas State 35
• August 28, 2003: Northern Illinois 20, Maryland 13
• August 29, 2002: Northern Illinois 42, Wake Forest 41
• September 20, 2003: Northern Illinois 19, Alabama 16
• September 27, 2003: Northern Illinois 24, Iowa State 16
• September 19, 2009: Northern Illinois 28, Purdue 21
• September 25, 2010: Northern Illinois 34, Minnesota 23
• September 22, 2012: Northern Illinois 30, Kansas 23
• August 31, 2013: Northern Illinois 30, Iowa 27
• September 28, 2013: Northern Illinois 55, Purdue 24
• September 6, 2014: Northern Illinois 23, Northwestern 15
• September 16, 2017: Northern Illinois 21, Nebraska 17
• October 27, 2018: Northern Illinois 7, BYU 6
• September 4, 2021: Northern Illinois 22, Georgia Tech 21
• September 2, 2023: Northern Illinois 27, Boston College 24
• September 7, 2024: Northern Illinois 16, Notre Dame 14