Northern Illinois Upsets No. 7 Notre Dame 16-14

Northern Illinois University (NIU) achieved a stunning 16-14 upset victory over No. 5 Notre Dame, marking one of the biggest wins in the program's history. NIU head coach Thomas Hammock, an alumnus, expressed emotional pride in his team's resilience and hard work, emphasizing that they only needed to be their best to secure the win. The Huskies, 28-point underdogs, became the first team in Mid-American Conference history to defeat a top-five opponent, outgaining Notre Dame 388-286 yards. The game concluded with NIU blocking a field goal attempt from the Fighting Irish, sealing their historic victory. Meanwhile, Notre Dame's struggles continue, as head coach Marcus Freeman faces criticism following multiple upset losses during his tenure. The defeat complicates Notre Dame's upcoming schedule, which is now perceived as significantly more challenging.