Northern Illinois kicker Kanan Woodill’s 35-yard field goal in the final minute proved to be the difference maker in the game for the fifth-ranked Huskies. Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame attempted a last-second comeback, but a 62-yard field goal was no good. Northern Illinois will celebrate an improbable 16-14 victory in South Bend, Indiana.
The upset marked the Huskies’ first non-conference victory over a ranked opponent, following a 19-16 win over the 21st. Alabama Crimson Tide In 2003. It also gave Northern Illinois its first win in program history against a team ranked in the top-10 of the AP Top 25.
Notre Dame, coming off an impressive road win over Texas A&M, looked like it was in position to pull away from Northern Illinois a bit as it clung to a 14-13 lead in the fourth quarter. The Fighting Irish took over after a punt with 7:49 left and advanced from their 25 to the Northern Illinois 49.
Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard launched a pass deep up the middle intended for Chris Mitchell, but Amariun Knight intercepted it and returned it 33 yards to the 50-yard line with 5:55 to play.
Knighten’s interception set up the game-winning field goal from Woodill, his third of the day.
Notre Dame struck first as quarterback Riley Leonard side-stepped the Huskies’ defense for an 11-yard touchdown run with 8:28 left in the first quarter.
Notre Dame will drop down the rankings significantly next week before traveling to West Lafayette for a game at Purdue on Sept. 14. Meanwhile, Northern Illinois will enjoy a bye week before hosting Buffalo on Sept. 21.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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