SOUTH BEND, Ind. – A last-minute 35-yard field goal by the Northern Illinois University Huskies secured a thrilling 16-14 victory over fifth-ranked Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, September 7. The win marks a historic achievement for the Huskies, as it is their first victory against a Top Five opponent and the first for any Mid-American Conference team over a squad ranked in the Associated Press Top Five.
NIU’s success was fueled by standout performances, including a strong showing from a running back who accumulated 225 total yards (126 receiving and 99 rushing) and scored a touchdown. The Huskies’ quarterback was 10-of-19 for 198 yards and also threw a touchdown pass. This win also added to NIU’s list of “Boneyard” victories — triumphs over ranked opponents from power conferences — bringing their total to 19 since 1983.
“We believed we could do this,” NIU head coach expressed after the game. “I told the team all week, ‘we don’t need luck, we just need to be our best,’ and they certainly were today.”
As the game wound down, with Notre Dame leading 14-13, an interception of Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard by a Huskies defender revived Northern Illinois’ chances. They drove down the field and set up for the game-winning field goal, after a successful conversion on fourth down.
The Huskies seized the lead in the final seconds when their kicker, a senior from Plainfield, Illinois, split the uprights from the right hash, giving NIU a 16-14 advantage. In a tense finish, Notre Dame attempted a 62-yard field goal to reclaim the lead, but Huskies’ defense prevailed again, blocking the attempt and recovering the ball as time expired, sending their fans into ecstasy.
In terms of statistics, the Huskies outperformed the Fighting Irish, posting 388 total yards compared to Notre Dame’s 286. NIU’s balanced offensive attack produced 190 rushing yards alongside 198 passing yards, while the defense limited Notre Dame to only 123 rushing yards and snagged two interceptions.
The game began with Notre Dame scoring first, but the Huskies quickly responded with an impressive 83-yard touchdown pass, marking the longest passing play by a running back in the school’s history since 2008. NIU took the lead shortly after and maintained momentum throughout the first half, ultimately leading 13-7 at halftime after blocking a field goal.
The second half saw back-and-forth scoring, with Notre Dame briefly regaining the lead, but ultimately it was NIU’s resilience and strategic execution that carried them through to victory. The Huskies will take a bye next week before returning to action on September 21, when they host Buffalo for their Mid-American Conference opener.