Northern Illinois stuns No. 5 Notre Dame as 28.5-point underdog

Northern Illinois pulled off the biggest upset of the 2024 college football season.

Kanon Woodill kicked a 35-yard field goal with 31 seconds left in the fourth quarter to help the Huskies defeat No. 5 Notre Dame 16-14 on the road Saturday.

The Fighting Irish – who beat Texas A&M to open their season last week – entered the contest versus Northern Illinois as 28.5-point favorites. It’s Northern Illinois’s first-ever victory over a top-10 opponent.

Notre Dame paid Northern Illinois $1.4 million to play in South Bend this season, notes Joe Pompliano of Huddle Up.

Notre Dame struggled offensively for most of the matchup, with quarterback Riley Leonard completing 20 of 32 pass attempts for 163 yards and no touchdowns to two interceptions. He also rushed for 16 yards and one score.

Leonard and Co. received the ball after Northern Illinois’ go-ahead field goal, but Notre Dame eventually had to attempt a 62-yard FG that got blocked.

Running back Antario Brown stole the show for the Huskies, carrying the ball 20 times for 99 yards. He also racked up 126 yards and one touchdown on just two catches. His score came on a spectacular 83-yard catch-and-run play.

Huskies head coach Thomas Hammock became emotional postgame while discussing his team’s unlikely triumph.

Northern Illinois’ victory over Notre Dame goes down as one of the sport’s biggest upsets of all time. It also marks a third shocking home loss for the Irish as big favorites under head coach Marcus Freeman.

Notre Dame visits Purdue next week. Meanwhile, Northern Illinois – pursuing its third win this season – plays Buffalo on Sept. 21.

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