The Huskies are ranked in the AP Poll for the first time since 2013.
Week 2 of the college football season belonged to the Northern Illinois Huskies.
Northern Illinois stormed into Notre Dame and did the unthinkable. The Huskies gained an early edge over the No. 5 Fighting Irish, utilizing an 83-yard touchdown and determined defensive play to establish a 13-7 halftime advantage. While Notre Dame reclaimed the lead in the second half, NIU kicker Kanon Woodill provided clutch heroics, sinking a go-ahead field goal with 31 seconds left,
Notre Dame attempted a 62-yarder to answer at the buzzer, but the Huskies blocked the ambitious attempt and a fervent celebration ensued for the road team in South Bend, IN. Led by head coach Thomas Hammock, Northern Illinois recorded its first AP Top 5 win in program history, upsetting No. 5 Notre Dame in a 16-14 defensive slugfest.
Now, the Huskies’ accomplishment is reflected in a number.
Northern Illinois is ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time since the 2013 season, garnering the No. 25 spot in the poll released Sunday afternoon. In the past four seasons, only two MAC teams have attained a position in the AP rankings: Toledo held the No. 23 spot for two weeks last November and now Northern Illinois revels in the top 25 after a statement upset.
This is the earliest a MAC team has been ranked in a season since 2002 Marshall which started the season at No. 19.
However, despite the happenings on the gridiron, the Fighting Irish remain ranked above Northern Illinois at No. 18 in the AP Poll, proving the voters disregard actual results in favor of their preseason expectations of teams.
Northern Illinois (2-0) receives a bye week after a Saturday of enjoying the national spotlight for notching its first ranked win since 2015. The Huskies return to action Sept. 21 in front of their home fans in DeKalb, IL for their MAC opener vs. Buffalo.