Northern Illinois achieved a historic 16-14 upset over No. 5 Notre Dame, marking the first time a Mid-American Conference (MAC) team has defeated a top-five opponent since 1978. The Huskies capitalized on key plays, including a blocked field goal by Cade Haberman, to seal the victory. Notre Dame, which had just come off a significant win at Texas A&M, was heavily criticized for their poor performance, leading to increased scrutiny on head coach Marcus Freeman. This victory could alter the season's trajectory for both teams, with Northern Illinois potentially eyeing a spot in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. Notre Dame's loss has significantly impacted their playoff chances and has raised questions about Freeman's future with the program. Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock praised his team's determination and execution, highlighting the win as a defining moment for the program.