After a first half that couldn't get much worse for Notre Dame, the Irish fail to overcome adversity in the second half and lose to Northern Illinois 16-14.
Photo by The Irish Tribune
First Quarter
Notre Dame started hot in their first drive, driving down the field and scoring a touchdown on the ground off a Riley Leonard QB keeper. The drive was 13 plays for 75 yards. Many thought this would be the first of many touchdowns today for Notre Dame. After starting on their own two-yard line after a kickoff miscommunication, NIU quickly fired back at Notre Dame in their first offensive drive, scoring on an 83-yard pass from QB Ethan Hampton to RB Antario Brown to tie the game up 7-7, the Huskies scored in just five plays. After Notre Dame went three and out, NIU drove down the field to nail a 42-yard field goal, taking their first lead of the game, 10-7. On the following drive, Riley Leonard throws his first interception of the season to NIU's Christian Fuhrman, killing Notre Dame's immediate chances of taking back the lead.
Second Quarter
The second quarter doesn't get much better than the first for Notre Dame. NIU drives down the field once again and kicks another field goal, this time 21 yards out, to put NIU up 13-7. Many believed NIU should've gone for it, as it was 4th and 2 on Notre Dame's 4-yard line, and NIU had all the momentum. Notre Dame and NIU would trade scoreless drives continuously until the final drive of the half, where Notre Dame was able to drive down to the 30-yard line in NIU territory. After calling a timeout with 3 seconds left in the half, Notre Dame would go to attempt a field goal. Mitch Jeter attempted to kick the 48-yard field goal, but NIU's Cade Haberman blocked the kick, NIU's Santana Banner scooped up the ball and ran it to Notre Dame's 26-yard line, before finally being tackled by a defender. Notre Dame entered their locker room at half as boos rang out through Notre Dame Stadium. The halftime score would be 13-7.
Third Quarter
Notre Dame's defense seemed to wake up a little in the third quarter, as NIU would not score a single point in the quarter. After going down with an unknown injury, Xavier Watts would quickly return and make a notable impact in stopping NIU, making a incredible attempt to hit an NIU pass to Adon Shuler for an interception, but falling short. Notre Dame would get another shot with 11:17 left in the quarter, and at the 8:39 mark, Jeremiyah Love turned into Superman. Love would take the handoff and hurdle a NIU defender and continue to run 34 yards for Notre Dame's second touchdown of the day, finally taking the lead back, and tipping the momentum slightly into Notre Dame's favor. It's now 14-13, Notre Dame leads. Notre Dame and NIU would continue to exchange offensive drives with no score until the quarter ended. 14-13 heading into the fourth, Irish lead.
Fourth Quarter
Notre Dame would not have a great fourth quarter. Leonard would go on to throw a bad interception to NIU. Fast forward to the end of the game, NIU would drive down all the way into field goal territory. After not getting a close 3rd down call, NIU would go on to hit their field goal to make the game 16-14 NIU. Notre Dame would have one last drive to take the lead back, and Notre Dame would not make that happen. NIU would seal a 14-16 victory in South Bend.
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