No. 5 ranked Notre Dame lost to Northern Illinois Saturday afternoon, 16-14 in what may be one of the biggest upsets of the year.
To make the shocking loss even worse for Notre Dame, open records have revealed that they actually paid $1.4 million to NIU, per USA Today, as they seemingly thought this would be an easy matchup to add on the schedule. In view of a contract signed back in 2019, the MAC school will receive the seven-figure payment "no later than 60 days" following Saturday's game.
Notre Dame paid Northern Illinois $1.4 million to play them in South Bend today.
Northern Illinois just won 16-14.pic.twitter.com/plADc2lYF3
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) September 7, 2024
Northern Illinois kicker Kanon Woodill hit a 35-yard field goal with 31 seconds left. Then on the last play of the game, Notre Dame's kicker Mitch Jeter attempted a game-winning 62-yard field goal, which was blocked as time expired, securing NIU the win.
Northern Illinois BLOCKS THE FIELD GOAL as time expires to seal a historic upset at Notre Dame Stadium! 👏 @NIU_Football pic.twitter.com/0BRpfTPwXa
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) September 7, 2024
Although NIU were 28-point underdogs heading into South Bend today, according to their head coach, Thomas Hammock, this victory over the heavy-favorite Notre Dame team shouldn't be a surprise, referencing that they didn't need luck vs. the Fighting Irish.
"I told them all week, we don't need luck, we just gotta be our best, and they was their best today and we were able to get it done," an emotional Hammock said postgame. "They worked together, they believed, and they made enough plays to win a game."
Coach Thomas Hammock is a real man and REAL MEN CRY. He has worked so hard to get Northern Illinois to this point. You can feel all that hard work pouring out of him throughout his post game interview after knocking off #5 Notre Dame IN THEIR HOUSE. It’s worth 2 min of your time. pic.twitter.com/C1u3QmicgY
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 7, 2024
"I think we were bigger than what they thought," the coach continued. "We're not a normal MAC team, in my opinion. We're big on the offensive and defensive lines and we're physical. I didn't look at it as a mismatch in that capacity."
"This is a program-changing type win, no different than when we beat Alabama a while ago (in 2003)."
Considering the two decades ago win over Alabama, many might have forgotten when the Huskies defeated the Crimson Tide 19-16.
A SOUTH BEND STUNNER‼️
28-point underdog Northern Illinois beats Notre Dame for its first top-10 win in school history 😮 pic.twitter.com/MZphQ3ZIq0
— ESPN (@espn) September 7, 2024
In today's game, NIU junior quarterback Ethan Hampton threw for 198 yards and a touchdown, coming off of throwing for 328 yards (18-of-20 completions) and five touchdowns in a 54-15 week 1 victory vs. Western Illinois.
Touchdown Huskies!
Ethan Hampton to Antario Brown for an 83-yard score. Capping a 98-yard touchdown drive for NIU!
NIU 7, ND 7 | 5:35 1st Q | #TheHardWay pic.twitter.com/rRPv677VJb
— NIU Huskie Athletics (@NIUAthletics) September 7, 2024
According to ESPN, Notre Dame's chances, heading into the game, were 16-to-1 odds to win the national championship, yet that has dropped to 75-1 after losing to Northern Illinois.
WATCH: #NDFootball coach Marcus Freeman stares at the final box score from 16-14 loss to @NIU_Football while waiting for ND marching band to exit the stadium. pic.twitter.com/yoau90Cry2
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) September 8, 2024
To point out, this isn't the only "buy game" that Notre Dame has lost, as back in 2022, in Marcus Freeman's second game as head coach, the Irish were defeated 26-21 vs. Marshall, who were paid $1.25 million to make the trip to northern Indiana.
Notably, looking ahead this year, there is another pay-to-play opponent on Notre Dame's schedule this season, as 2023 MAC champions, Miami of Ohio, will also travel to South Bend to earn a $1.25 million payout following their game on September 21 at 3:30 pm ET.
Related: Northern Illinois Football Could Experience A MAC Revival In 2023
