Northern Illinois survives Notre Dame 16-14 in historic upset

In a stunning upset that will be remembered for years to come, the Northern Illinois University (NIU) Huskies defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 16-14 on Sept. 7 in South Bend, IN. The victory marked a significant milestone for NIU, who had not defeated a ranked opponent since 2003. The game was not only a major upset but also a costly one for Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish were obligated to pay NIU $1.4 million as part of a previously signed ‘buy-game’ contract, a common practice in college football where larger schools pay smaller institutions to play on their home turf. Despite entering the game as the favorites, Notre Dame struggled to gain momentum against the determined Huskies. NIU’s defense held strong, forcing turnovers and limiting the Fighting Irish’s offensive opportunities. The game’s turning point came in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. With Notre Dame leading 14-13, NIU quarterback Ethan Hampton led his team on a crucial drive, culminating in a 35-yard field goal by Kanon Woodill to give the Huskies a 16-14 lead. The Fighting Irish had one last chance to win the game, but their 62-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Cade Haberman, sealing NIU’s...