In a surprising turn of events, Notre Dame suffered a shocking defeat against Northern Illinois, leading to one of the biggest upsets in program history, according to coach Marcus Freeman.
The decisive moment came when Northern Illinois kicker Kanon Woodill successfully converted a 35-yard field goal with just 31 seconds remaining on the clock. Despite Notre Dame’s efforts to retaliate, their kicker, Mitch Jeter, had his 62-yard field goal attempt blocked by Northern Illinois defensive tackle Cade Haberman, securing the upset victory as time expired.
Looking ahead, the Notre Dame team must address and improve various aspects across all three facets of their team – offense, defense, and special teams – as they prepare to face the Boilermakers. The Boilermakers began their season impressively with a 49-0 win over Indiana State.
During the press conference, Coach Freeman emphasized the need for a balanced approach to preparation. He acknowledged that while the team physically prepared well, they fell short in terms of mental approach and mindset. Freeman emphasized the importance of focusing on the upcoming game rather than getting caught up in past accomplishments. He stressed the need to approach each week with a determined mindset.
The Notre Dame quarterback, Riley Leonard, is currently facing challenges due to the team’s inexperienced offensive line, which consists of three sophomores and two freshmen. In the game against Northern Illinois, Leonard struggled, completing 20 of 32 pass attempts for 163 yards, without scoring any touchdowns and throwing two interceptions.
Leonard, a first-year starter for Notre Dame after transferring from Duke, was named a team captain and is included on the 2024 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List. Despite his recent performance, Leonard will retain his position as the team’s starting quarterback.
Coach Freeman noted that while Leonard needs to improve his decision-making and accuracy, the entire team must also step up to support him. This includes the coaching staff, who need to provide better guidance on reading the game and catching passes effectively. Freeman emphasized that accountability extends to everyone involved in the team.
Although the loss to Northern Illinois is a setback, Notre Dame still has several games remaining in the season. With wins in these remaining matches, there is a possibility of reclaiming a spot in the college football playoff. However, their ascent in the rankings may also depend on other teams ahead of them experiencing defeats.
For one of college football’s most prestigious programs, the current situation certainly falls short of ideal.