The Notre Dame football team was upset on Saturday in an almost unbelievable outcome. It has perhaps been the most unexpected result of the college football season thus far. No. 5-ranked Notre Dame lost 16-14 on Saturday to Northern Illinois. In particular, this game is considered very surprising because the heavy favorite, the Irish, was just coming off of a win against Texas A&M. This was a great loss to Notre Dame, as it was among the most incredible upsets the program has ever seen.
Northern Illinois’ Key to Victory
Northern Illinois played with determination and poise for the greater part of the game. The Huskies started strong and were able to hold their ground against the pressure mounted by Notre Dame. The defense was tight, while the offense capitalized on every mistake Notre Dame made. Such was the blueprint that kept them in the game and able to capitalize on an opportunity at the end. Northern Illinois successfully made a field goal with only 31 seconds remaining in the clock. It was a key moment that sealed their historic victory.
The game was tight from start to finish, but the turning point came when Notre Dame Quarterback Riley Leonard threw an interception with 5:55 left. Northern Illinois then drove 31 yards in 11 plays, and Kanon Woodill hit a 35-yard field goal, putting the Huskies ahead 16-14. Notre Dame had a chance to win in the final seconds, but their 62-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Northern Illinois player Cade Haberman.
Not A Bad Day For Missed Opportunities By Notre Dame
Notre Dame had ample opportunities to clinch this game, but they failed to take advantage of any of them. Leonard had a poor game, as he completed the game with 163 passing yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Even being favored by 28.5 points, Notre Dame had a bad day offensively and could not cut through Northern Illinois’ defense at the right moments.
This loss was a big hit to Notre Dame’s playoff hopes. The Irish entered the weekend as heavy favorites and strong contenders for the College Football Playoff. It also is the second loss in three years at home by Notre Dame to a “Group of 5” team during Marcus Freeman‘s time as coach. They lost to Marshall on September 10, 2022.
This win is monumental for Northern Illinois. It was the first time in school history that they had ever taken down a top-10 team. The highest-ranked win coming into this day for the Huskies was against No. 15 Maryland back in 2003. This win aids in their confidence and sets them up well for the remainder of the season. It is also big for Head Coach Thomas Hammock and the Huskies.
Notre Dame’s Offense Sputters
Notre Dame’s newly implemented offense, touted in weeks prior, sputtered in the face of Northern Illinois. Leonard struggled to find his receivers on key passes and was unable to make plays that got them out in front. Not being able to score when it matters is something that has become all too common for this year’s Irish offense.
This defeat will force Notre Dame to regroup and fix the problems as soon as possible. They need to get their offense running and generate a better defensive game plan if they want to prevent additional losses. For Coach Freeman and his coaching staff, much work awaits him if he wants to get this team back on track and compete for a playoff position.
This historical upset will become a motivator for the rest of the season as Northern Illinois tries to make the most of it. It has been proven that the Huskies could stand up to top-ranked teams, and this could be what sparks an excellent season. They will work at continuing their momentum and possibly capturing a conference title.
Conclusion
This upset by Northern Illinois over Notre Dame 16-14 reminds us all how very wild college football can get. While Northern Illinois is still on cloud nine over its biggest win ever, Notre Dame has an uphill struggle ahead. Indeed, the Irish must make amends in those weak links and refocus their efforts on trying to salvage their season. The two teams have been affected by this game, which will be remembered for some time because of the dramatic twists that occurred.
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