Legendary Program Becomes Laughingstock of College Football After Startling Loss

Northern Illinois pulled off the upset of the year so far, stunning No. 5 Notre Dame with a 16-14 victory on Saturday.

The Irish had a chance to win the game on a last-second 62-yard kick, but the Huskies blocked the try, sealing the win.

Notre Dame going down as a four-touchdown favorite set the internet ablaze.

"It's not just that Northern Illinois beat Notre Dame 16-14 in South Bend. It's that the Irish paid $1.4 million for the privilege," RJ Young of Fox Sports tweeted . "NIU put the shimmy in the shag. Notre Dame, put the money in the bag!"

Many were excited to see Notre Dame go down in flames.

"Notre Dame tried to schedule a pansy win early and it blows up in their face," a fan wrote . "Can’t stop laughing.  The Golden Dome. The tradition. The fat TV contract. Lose to a college that has corn fields in their backyard."

Notre Dame skipper Marcus Freeman took most of the heat after the upset.

"It’s the 3rd year. This doesn’t happen to good football coaches. Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame career just ended," another fan wrote .

Others agreed with that sentiment.

"Marcus Freeman is not a college football coach, he’s a cheerleader," a Notre Dame fan wrote on X . "I can no longer defend this. ND has to move on

One fan base particularly happy about the loss was Michigan. The Wolverines got blown out by Texas 31-12 earlier in the day.

"On behalf of all Michigan fans, I would like to thank Notre Dame for reminding us that no matter how bad things get, it could always be worse," a fan said .

As heartbreaking as the loss was for Notre Dame, it was equally special for Northern Illinois. It was the program's first win against a top-10 opponent.

"All these guys have been with our program, lived through the ups and downs and have continued to fight," a tearful NIU coach Thomas Hammock said after the win. "It's like they're my kids...I just couldn't be more proud."

Notre Dame will look to get back on track next week against Purdue.

Related: Quinn Ewers Sends Head-Turning Message to Ohio State After Texas's Big Win Over Michigan