Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock found himself overwhelmed with tears of joy after leading his alma mater to the biggest victory in school history. Battling not just the formidable Notre Dame, but also a flood of emotions, Hammock described it as a deeply moving and proud moment for him and his team.
“All these guys that have been with our program, been through the ups and downs and continue to fight. It’s like they’re my kids,” Hammock said with pride. “I just couldn’t be more proud.”
His Huskies, 28.5-point underdogs, made a remarkable 2 1/2-hour bus ride back to DeKalb, Ill., where a swarm of fans eagerly awaited their return in celebration of their historic upset over No. 5 Notre Dame.
In another stunning moment over the weekend, freshman kicker Kyle Konrardy nailed a crucial 54-yard field goal, leading Iowa State to a rare victory over Iowa. Week 1 also witnessed Vanderbilt snap a 10-game losing streak by toppling Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech flying to Ireland to defeat Florida State, last year’s ACC champion.
Northern Illinois signed up for what was expected to be a “paycheck game,” earning $1.4 million to play on sacred ground and presumably lose. But the Huskies defied expectations, with a victory sealed by a 35-yard field goal and a crucial block on Notre Dame’s final attempt.
College football has evolved rapidly over the past five years, with conference realignments and the introduction of athlete compensation reshaping the landscape. Smaller programs like NIU face significant challenges in retaining talent as higher-profile schools offer tempting packages. Despite these hurdles, the Huskies demonstrated grit and determination, overcoming the odds to triumph against a more resource-rich opponent.
Coach Hammock’s visible emotion resonated deeply with fans. His salary was a fraction of what Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman earned, yet the passion and hard work were just as intense. Northern Illinois’ victory was a beautiful, authentic moment—a testament to the essence of college football.
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