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NORTHERN Illinois coach Thomas Hammock couldn’t hold back the tears after the Huskies’ historic 16-14 win over No. 5 Notre Dame.
NIU beat a top-five team for the first time in the college football program’s history on Saturday.
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Hammock, 43, led the team to the unreal victory over two decades after sporting the Huskies jersey himself.
Sideline reporter Zora Stephenson brought up his time at NIU as she asked him why the win seemingly meant so much.
“I’m so proud of our kids, the coaches, just everybody,” the coach said with his voice cracking.
“They believed. They believed.”
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“And we came here and got it done.”
Hammock said he kept telling his players that they had what it takes to beat Notre Dame.
“They listened to what I said,” he shared.
“I told them all week, we don’t need luck. We just got to be our best.
“And they were their best today. And we were able to get it done.”
Asked about the source of his emotions, Hammock emphasized the Huskies stars’ perseverance.
“All these guys that have been with our program, they went through the ups and downs, and they continue to fight,” he said.
“It’s like they’re my kids.
“I’m happy for the adversity… they push through no matter the situation. I just couldn’t be more proud.”
Hammock then choked up again, prompting him to apologize.
College football top 25 rankings
BELOW are the top 25 rankings of college football’s best programs after Week 1
- Georgia (1-0)
- Ohio State (1-0)
- Texas (1-0)
- Alabama (1-0)
- Ole Miss (1-0)
- Oregon (1-0)
- Notre Dame (1-0)
- Penn State (1-0)
- Missouri (1-0)
- Michigan (1-0)
- Utah (1-0)
- Miami (1-0)
- USC (1-0)
- Tennessee (1-0)
- Oklahoma (1-0)
- Oklahoma State (1-0)
- Kansas State (1-0)
- LSU (0-1)
- Kansas (1-0)
- Arizona (1-0)
- Iowa (1-0)
- Louisville (1-0)
- Georgia Tech (2-0)
- North Carolina State (1-0)
- Clemson (0-1)
“No need to be sorry,” Stephenson responded.
NIU led 13-7 at halftime before Notre Dame took its first lead of the day thanks to running back Jeremiyah Love’s 34-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter.
With about six minutes left in the fourth, Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard’s interception set up the visitors’ game-winning drive.
Cornerback Amariyun Knighten picked Leonard before his 33-yard return sent the Huskies’ offense out to mount a comeback from the middle of the field.
Kicker Kanon Woodill eventually scored a 35-yard field goal with just 31 seconds left on the clock.
NIU then blocked Notre Dame’s 62-yard kick by Cade Haberman to secure the historic win.
