Sportsmanship personified: NIU coach offered to help Notre Dame after win

How would you feel if your opponent, who was measured to be clearly inferior, beat you on national television and then immediately afterward offered to help you fix your weaknesses they just exploited?

Apparently for Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, that was a "please and thank you" moment.

Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock told Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take" podcast on Wednesday that he did just that and Freeman accepted graciously.

"Just because we competed don't mean we can't help each other or assist each other to make each other better," Hammock said. "If I can help him achieve the kind of things he wants to achieve, that's what it's about, paying it forward."

Hammock said he and Freeman have already spoken over the phone about what Northern Illinois saw on tape ahead of their Week 2 matchup and was able to exploit on the field.

The Huskies prevented then-ranked No. 5 Notre Dame from finding the end zone through the air all game, picking off quarterback Riley Leonard twice. They led 13-7 until late in the third quarter when the Irish took a one-point 14-13 lead.

After a defensive battle in the fourth quarter, Northern Illinois drove downfield to kick what would ultimately become the game-winning field goal with 30 seconds remaining.

The Huskies defense blocked Notre Dame's attempt at a walk-off field goal as time expired, earning the program and Mid-American Conference's first win over a top-five opponent.

"Obviously, I have a lot of respect for [Freeman] as a head coach," Hammock continued. "I want him to do well."

Northern Illinois is now ranked No. 25 in the latest AP poll and could potentially challenge for the lone College Football Playoff spot awarded to the highest-ranked Group of Five conference champion.