NIU drilled a field goal with 31 seconds left to take down the Irish
The Northern Illinois Huskies (2-0) defeated a top-10 opponent for the first time in school history Saturday afternoon when they defeated the fifth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-1) by a score of 16-14. The Huskies took the lead with just 31 seconds remaining, after Kanon Woodill drilled a 35-yard field goal to put NIU up two.
The Huskies, who entered the game as 28-point underdogs, had the lead – and momentum – for most of the first half. Notre Dame was able to score an opening possession touchdown when quarterback Riley Leonard ran the ball in from 11-yards out. But NIU countered just a few plays later, when half back Antario Brown caught a pass from quarterback Ethan Hampton and took it 83-yards to the endzone, tying the game.
NIU then forced a 3-and-out from the Irish and, after a 28-yard run by Brown, the Huskies were able to take a 10-7 lead when Woodill knocked his first of three field goals through the uprights, this time from 42-yards out.
Northern’s defense would step up once again on the third possession, when linebacker Christian Furhman would intercept Leonard’s pass off of a deflection and set the Huskies up with great field position. Woodill would add to the NIU lead with a 21-yard field goal after the drive stalled at the Irish 4-yard line, giving the Huskies a 13-7 lead.
The teams would then trade punts back and forth a few times before the Huskies were able to block a field goal as time expired in the half.
The second half began with the Huskies driving again but, after the drive stalled at the Notre Dame 36-yard line, Woodill would attempt a 53-yard field goal. This one was pushed wide and the score remained 13-7.
Notre Dame would take the lead midway through the third quarter when running back Jeremiyah Love broke free for a 34-yard touchdown run, giving ND a slim 14-13 advantage.
The score remained like for the majority of the second half as the defenses trades stops. But, with just under six minutes remaining in the game, Huskie cornerback Amariyun Knighten would intercept a pass and return it back to midfield, giving NIU a shot at the win.
The Huskies would embark on an 11-play 31-yard drive that chewed up more than five minutes in order to set up for the potential game winner with 31 seconds left in the game. Woodill step up and drilled it down the middle giving NIU a 16-14 lead.
With one timeout remaining, the Irish had a chance to avoid the upset. The Irish got the ball across midfield, to the NIU 44-yard line, with five seconds left to play and opted to try a 62-yard field goal. The Huskie line was able to jump and block the kick – their second of the game – to preserve the win and make school history.
NIU outgained the Irish, 388-286, and had 198 yards passing and 190 yards rushing while ND had 163 passing and 123 rushing. Northern also controlled the clock, having the ball for 34:32 to the Irish’s 25:22.
Hampton looked solid for the Huskies again, as he went 10-19 for 198 yards and a score. Brown had himself a day, with 20 carries for 99 yards and two catches for 126 yards and a TD. Brown did go down, untouched, with an injury in the game and was limited in the second half but did return for a few plays.
For Notre Dame, Leonard finished 20-32 with 163 yards and two interceptions. He also had 11 rushes for 16 yards. Love had 11 carries for 79 yards and a score, and Beaux Collins had five receptions for 45 yards.
The Huskies get an extra long week to celebrate as they’re off next weekend but will return to the field on September 21st when they open MAC play against the Buffalo Bulls.