Illinois
How Northern Illinois pulled off an incredible upset and added Notre Dame to its ‘Boneyard’
Thomas Hammock had every emotion rush through him Saturday, except for one.
Hammock, the Northern Illinois coach, had watched his team, representing his alma mater, take down No. 5 Notre Dame in the state where he grew up. His parents were there. So were his wrestling coach and 15-20 teammates from Bishop Luers High in Fort Wayne, Indiana, located about 95 miles from Notre Dame Stadium.
“I couldn’t find them after the game, but they sent pictures,” Hammock told ESPN on Saturday night, as NIU’s team buses neared the Indiana-Illinois state line. “All of my buddies, they’re Notre Dame fans. But for this one day, they supported the Huskies.”
What a day it was as Northern Illinois shocked Notre Dame 16-14, recording its first-ever win against an AP top-five opponent and the first such victory by a Mid-American Conference team. The upset earned the Huskies the No. 25 ranking in the AP poll — before this week, they hadn’t been ranked since 2013.
Since 1983, NIU has kept a log of “Boneyard Victories,” wins against major-conference opponents and other notable foes with bigger brands and budgets. As an NIU running back in 2002, Hammock helped secure one by rushing for 172 yards in a 42-41 overtime win against Wake Forest. He would never play again after experiencing symptoms from what would be diagnosed as a career-ending heart condition.
The next year, Hammock watched NIU add to the Boneyard with wins over Alabama, Maryland and Iowa State (before Saturday, the Alabama game was NIU’s last win against a ranked nonleague opponent). After returning as coach in 2019, he led the Huskies to wins over Georgia Tech in 2021 and Boston College last year. But no win would mean more than one over Notre Dame, which is why it struck all the chords for Hammock.
“When you’ve been with guys a long time, and you think about all the hard work and sacrifice that they’ve put in, that we’ve all put in, and to work together, find a way, the emotions overcame me,” Hammock said. “It’s huge. Obviously, I have a lot of pride in NIU.”
How much, exactly?
“He named his son after a dorm on campus,” said athletic director Sean Frazier, referring to the middle name of Hammock’s son, Thomas Douglas. Thomas Sr. met his wife at Douglas Hall.
“This dude is a Huskie,” Frazier continued. “He came back home. I’m just so happy for him and his family. He deserves this moment. Our kids deserve this moment.”
The one emotion Hammock didn’t feel Saturday was surprise. He knew when he studied Notre Dame six days before the game that Northern Illinois would have a real chance to win. Hammock especially liked how the Huskies matched up at the line of scrimmage.
He frontloaded NIU’s week with more demanding practices on Monday and Tuesday, which gave players’ bodies time to recover.
“The more we watched film, the more we realized this is a beatable team,” quarterback Ethan Hampton told ESPN. “I’ll take our O-line over anyone in the country.”
The Huskies outgained Notre Dame 388-286, converted twice as many third-down chances and allowed only two plays of longer than 19 yards. They also blocked two field goal attempts, including a 62-yard attempt in the final seconds.
While Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love had the highlight of the game, a hurdling touchdown run, NIU running back Antario Brown delivered the top offensive performance with 126 receiving yards and 99 rushing yards.
“It wasn’t a fluke win,” Hammock said. “We were good in the trenches, and those guys were the difference in the game. We build our program inside-out, so you have to be able to win there to give yourself an opportunity in games like this. Those guys played their butts off.”
Hammock’s players also understand the magnitude of what they accomplished. Hampton said he looks forward to telling his future children about the win. He also recognized what it meant for his coach.
“No one loves NIU more than Coach Ham,” Hampton said. “He instills that into us. He played here, he wants to be here, so when you have a coach that believes in you and that is proud to be part of the NIU program, it makes you play better.”
Northern Illinois still had to mount a drive — and overcome a highly questionable ball spot — to secure the win. Gavin Williams appeared to clear the marker on a third-and-2 run from the Notre Dame 20-yard line, which would have allowed NIU to get closer for a field goal attempt and drain more time. But officials spotted the ball short, forcing fourth down and a Notre Dame timeout with 36 seconds left. Hammock asked to challenge the spot but was told a review –which upheld the spot — had already been initiated.
“We were already in field goal range, so I wasn’t going to let that one play determine the outcome of the game,” Hammock said. “I was confident with our special teams operation that we could make the kick, and then we just had to go back out there and play defense one more time.”
Kanon Woodill drilled his third field goal, and the defense kept Notre Dame out of realistic field goal range to secure the win.
“This is such a huge statement for the program and for NIU,” Frazier said. “There’s a lot of people talking about Group of 5, Power 4, the money and the resources and NIL. It’s about the players and it’s about lining up and banging heads and [may] the best man win. You saw that [Saturday].”
Frazier knew Hammock from their time together at Wisconsin — Hammock was a Badgers assistant from 2011 to 2013, while Frazier served as the school’s deputy athletic director — and gave him a head-coaching opportunity that likely would not have come anywhere else. NIU went winless in 2020, won the MAC in 2021 and then went 3-9 the following year. But Hammock has stabilized the program. NIU won a bowl game last season. The team has recorded a grade-point average of 3.0 or better in nine consecutive semesters, hardly a surprise since its coach was a two-time Academic All-America selection when he played.
NIU deals with the typical Group of 5 challenges, including roster churn and resources. The program’s motto is: “The Hard Way.” But wins like Saturday’s have long-term impact.
“My vision and goal was always to grow the university back to what it was with enrollment, fundraising, all those things,” Hammock said. “To do that, you have to win games like this, where your alumni get excited. They want to give back, they want to be a part of a program. I know how big that Alabama game was to help build facilities and things like that.
“Hopefully, this one can do the same thing.”
Illinois
Illinois Wesleyan to Launch First-of-its-Kind Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Quantum Science and Engineering Program
Fisher Center for Interdisciplinary Quantum Science & Engineering positions Illinois
as a leader in next generation quantum education
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Illinois Wesleyan University today announced the creation of the Fisher Center for
Interdisciplinary Quantum Science & Engineering, a first-of-its-kind undergraduate
program that brings together multiple areas of study to better prepare students for
careers in this emerging field.
The Fisher Quantum Center will make Illinois Wesleyan the first undergraduate liberal
arts university in the United States to offer an interdisciplinary quantum program,
positioning both the University and the state as leaders in the quantum space.
The Fisher Quantum Center is supported by a founding gift from Ann ‘82 and Alan Fisher,
providing the resources to establish the center and launch programming. Ann is a graduate
of Illinois Wesleyan University and serves on the university’s Board of Trustees.
The Fisher Quantum Center is designed to grow in phases and will expand its curriculum,
facilities, and partnerships over time.
“The Fisher Quantum Center represents a defining step forward as the first undergraduate
interdisciplinary quantum program. Quantum is reshaping industries and the way we
solve complex problems, and this complexity is an ideal fit with Illinois Wesleyan’s
cross-curricular approach to undergraduate education. We are especially grateful to
Ann and Alan Fisher for their generous gift that is making this distinctive program
possible,” said Illinois Wesleyan University President Sheahon J. Zenger.
What is Quantum?
Quantum science studies how matter and energy behave at the smallest scale, where
the differences can be used to create new, more powerful technologies. Because of
this, quantum has a wide variety of real-world applications and is poised to transform
everyday lives and revolutionize industries ranging from computing and cybersecurity
to healthcare, finance, and agriculture.
Most quantum programs are primarily offered at the graduate level and focus on a single
area of study. The Fisher Quantum Center takes a fundamentally different approach
by focusing exclusively on undergraduate education and bringing together physics,
chemistry, computer science, mathematics, biology, business, philosophy, and engineering
into one holistic curriculum. Instead of separating these fields and narrowing the
focus, it connects them to better reflect the broad applications of quantum. This
first-of-its-kind approach prepares students not only with the technical skills for
these emerging careers, but with an understanding of the economic, ethical, environmental,
and societal implications of quantum technologies.
and instrumental performance (euphonium). He has also conducted research on the ethical
implications of quantum computing.
Students will be able to engage with quantum in multiple ways, including through individual
courses, certificates, concentrations, hands-on experiments, projects, faculty-mentored
research, and internships. The Fisher Quantum Center is designed to be flexible, inclusive,
and accessible to undergraduate students from all areas of study to create a gateway
into quantum for students who might not otherwise encounter the field. It will also
serve as hub for visiting scholars, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty to collaborate
on strengthening undergraduate quantum laboratories and infrastructure.
“We are proud to support the creation of the Fisher Quantum Center and the unique
opportunity it creates for students coming to Illinois Wesleyan. The Fisher Quantum
Center will open the door for students from many different backgrounds to engage with
quantum in a way that is accessible and better prepares them for future careers. We
are excited to see how this program grows and the impact it will have on Illinois
Wesleyan students, the university, and the broader community,” said Ann and Alan Fisher.
The first courses through the Fisher Quantum Center will be available in Spring 2027,
alongside enhanced quantum lab space, with programming expanding throughout the year.
Beyond the classroom, the Fisher Quantum Center will support outreach initiatives
to engage high school teachers and students to strengthen pathways into quantum and
STEM fields. Beginning in Summer 2026, Illinois Wesleyan will host a fully funded
Quantum Day Camp for high school STEM teachers and counselors from surrounding counties,
with a residential Quantum Camp for high school students anticipated for Summer 2027.
“The Fisher Quantum Center represents a first-of-its-kind program that will create
new opportunities for students to engage with quantum across disciplines while preparing
them for the high-quality jobs of the future. Quantum technology is already shaping
the future of the global economy, and Illinois is positioning itself as a global leader.
To compete, we need to continue building a strong workforce pipeline, and Illinois
Wesleyan is playing a critical role by giving students the skills and training needed
to fill these emerging jobs and help keep Illinois at the forefront of innovation,”
said Gov. JB Pritzker.
At a time when Illinois is emerging as a national hub for quantum innovation, the
Fisher Quantum Center will play a critical role in developing the next generation
of talent, expanding awareness of quantum careers and opportunities, and ensuring
the state remains competitive in this rapidly evolving field.
“Developing the next generation of talent is essential to maintaining Illinois’ momentum
in quantum,” said Illinois Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Christy George. “Illinois Wesleyan’s new program creates opportunities for students in high demand
fields while helping build the workforce pipeline Illinois industries need. The Fisher
Center reflects the forward-thinking approach that has helped position Illinois as
a growing hub for quantum innovation and emerging technologies.”
For more information about the Fisher Quantum Center, visit www.iwu.edu/fisher-quantum-center.
Illinois Senate Democrats are trying to impose limits on artificial intelligence, or AI, in the final weeks of the legislative session.
The proposed package of eight different bills would target specific areas impacted by the emerging technology, including its effects on mental health and the usage of AI in schools.
State Sen. Bill Cunningham said because Congress has not put much regulation around AI, state lawmakers feel they have to step into the void.
“Artificial intelligence, or AI, can be a powerful tool for good, but currently there are minimal guardrails in place. It’s like the wild, wild west. Illinois needs to create a roadmap for responsible innovation to prevent catastrophic risks. And that is why we are all here today,” said State Sen. Mary Edly-Allen.
Edly-Allen’s proposal, which passed out of committee Wednesday and now heads to the full Senate, aims to increase transparency from big AI companies like ChatGPT and Claude. It would require large companies to make annual reports explaining what they are doing to prevent what lawmakers call “catastrophic risks.”
If a company learns about a critical safety incident, it has to report it within 72 hours, or 24 hours if the incident poses a serious risk of harm or death.
Another bill, led by Sen. Laura Ellman, aims to address the growing number of young people turning to AI during a mental health crisis, specifically people who confide in a chatbot about their suicidal thoughts. AI companies would have to implement methods to detect self harm and refer the user to a resource, such as the suicide hotline.
Other bills try to crack down on AI being used to fix rent prices, curb someone’s data from being used for targeted ads or sold to third parties, ban teachers from using AI to grade a student’s work and cut down on bots scooping up tickets to concerts and sports.
The current legislative session is set to end on May 31, with lawmakers working to pass a host of bills before that date arrives.
IKEA announces new locations opening for 2026
IKEA revealed plans to open 10 new stores in various U.S. cities by 2026 as part of its expansion strategy.
The Chicago metro area is getting its first Dutch Bros cafe this week, with additional Illinois locations set to open later this year.
The West Coast coffee chain announced the openings in a press release Wednesday, May 13, adding details about available freebies.
Dutch Bros coming to Melrose Park
Dutch Bros will be making its Chicago suburbs debut in Melrose Park, with doors set to open Thursday, May 14, at 1931 N. Mannheim Road.
The cafe will operate from 5 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Melrose Park customers will be able to snag a free keychain with any drink purchase on opening day, while supplies last, according to the chain.
“Opening in the Chicago area has always been a dream for us at Dutch Bros, and Melrose Park is just the beginning,” Dutch Bros Local Market Lead Allie Lahti said in the release.
Where else is Dutch Bros opening locations in Illinois?
The chain also announced plans to open cafes in Rockford, New Lenox and Buffalo Grove, with locations slated to open this summer. The chain lists the Rockford location as “coming soon” to 7103 E. State St. on its website.
Meanwhile, job listings for “Broistas” at 550 W. Maple St. in New Lenox and 80 McHenry Road in Buffalo Grove are available for applicants on the site.
But that’s not all.
A spokesperson for the Village of Oak Park told NBC News Chicago the chain “is also in the process of opening a location in Oak Park” at 316 Madison St.
The village approved plans for the new location in October 2025, and the chain told NBC the cafe is still “in the very early stages.”
Peoria City Councilman Alex Carmona told the Journal Star in April that a new Dutch Bros location will be built at the busy intersection of University Street and War Memorial Drive.
Construction is set to kick off in May at 3624 N. University St., with the location slated to open in the fall.
The Peoria Journal Star reached out to Dutch Bros about the upcoming Illinois locations and will update this story accordingly if a response is provided.
List of Dutch Bros locations in Illinois
The coffee chain has five existing locations in the following Illinois cities:
CONTRIBUTING: JJ Bullock, Peoria Journal Star
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