Northern Illinois kicker Kanon Woodill's 35-yard field goal in the final minute proved to be the difference in the Huskies' matchup with the fifth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame attempted a last-second comeback, but a 62-yard field goal was of no use. Northern Illinois would celebrate an improbable 16-14 victory in South Bend, Indiana.
The upset marked the Huskies' first non-conference win against a ranked opponent since a 19-16 victory over the then-21st Alabama Crimson Tide in 2003. It also gave Northern Illinois its first win in program history against a team ranked in the top 10 of the AP Top 25.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
September 7, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Northern Illinois Huskies center Logan Zschernitz (65) prepares to throw the ball in the first quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. (Images by Matt Cashore-Imagn)
Notre Dame, which had just posted an impressive road win over Texas A&M, looked poised to pull away from Northern Illinois as it clung to a 14-13 lead in the fourth quarter. The Fighting Irish gained possession after a punt with 7:49 left and advanced from their own 25-yard line to the Northern Illinois 49-yard line.
OKLAHOMA STATE HELPS ON IN DOUBLE OVERTIME TO AVOID AN UPRISING AGAINST ARKANSAS
Irish quarterback Riley Leonard threw a deep pass over the middle intended for Kris Mitchell, but Amariyun Knighten made the interception and returned it 33 yards to the 50-yard line with 5:55 left.
Northern Illinois safety Santana Banner tackles Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard during an NCAA college football game between Notre Dame and Northern Illinois at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Michael Clubb/USA TODAY NETWORK)
Knighten's interception set up Woodill's game-winning field goal, his third of the day.
Notre Dame struck first when quarterback Riley Leonard eluded the Huskies defense for an 11-yard touchdown run with 8:28 remaining in the first quarter.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Notre Dame is likely to drop considerably in the standings next week before traveling to West Lafayette for a game against Purdue on Sept. 14. Meanwhile, Northern Illinois will enjoy a bye week before hosting Buffalo on Sept. 21.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to The Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
