SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Kanon Woodill booted a 35-yard field goal with 31 seconds left in the game and Cade Haberman blocked a 62-yard try with time running out, leading Northern Illinois University to a surprising 16-14 victory over No. 5 Notre Dame on Saturday.
Haberman blocked a 62-yard attempt by Notre Dame's Mitch Jeter, and the jubilant Huskies recorded their first non-conference win over a ranked opponent since beating No. 21 Alabama, 19-16 in 2003.
Fresh off an impressive road win over Texas A&M, Notre Dame (1-1) held a 14-13 lead in the fourth quarter and appeared in position to close the gap on Northern Illinois (2-0).
The Fighting Irish got the ball after a punt with 7:49 left and drove from their own 25 to the Northern Illinois 49.
Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard fired a pass deep up the middle to Chris Mitchell, but Amariyun Knighton intercepted it and returned it 33 yards to the 50-yard line with 5:55 left in the game.
Knighton's interception set up Woodill's third field goal of the day, sealing the victory.
Notre Dame took the lead when Leonard blitzed the defense for an 11-yard touchdown run with 8:28 left in the first quarter.
It took just five plays for Northern Illinois to respond, as Antalio Brown slipped between two Notre Dame defensive backs and caught a pass from Ethan Hampton for an 83-yard touchdown reception.
Two field goals by Woodill, from 42 and 21 yards out, gave the Huskies a 13-7 lead at the half. Notre Dame had a chance to pull within 13-10 before the half ended, but Haberman blocked Jeter's 48-yard try.
Woodill missed a 53-yard field goal on the first attempt of the second half, and Notre Dame took advantage.
Jeremiah Love leapt over defenders on his way to the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown run.
Mitch Jeter's extra point gave Notre Dame a 14-13 lead with 8:34 left in the third quarter.
