Sports
Notre Dame’s stunning upset loss to NIU: What went wrong for Irish? Are Playoff hopes gone?
By Pete Sampson, Stewart Mandel and Justin Williams
No. 5 Notre Dame suffered a shocking upset against Northern Illinois, losing 16-14 on Saturday in South Bend after missing a 62-yard field goal on the last play.
The Irish were 28.5-point favorites, per BetMGM, and it’s the first time NIU has beaten a top-10 team in school history.
After Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard threw an interception with 5:55 left while holding a 14-13 lead, NIU drove 31 yards in 11 plays and got a 35-yard field goal from Kanon Woodill to take the lead with 31 seconds left. The Huskies had converted one fourth down en route to the field goal but were denied another first down by a questionable spot a few plays later, forcing them to attempt the go-ahead field goal earlier than hoped. Notre Dame completed a pass into NIU territory in the final seconds before its long field goal attempt was denied.
The loss comes one week after Notre Dame seemingly made an early College Football Playoff statement with a 23-13 win at Texas A&M. Now, the Irish are left picking up the pieces following a loss to a MAC team, the second time the Fighting Irish have lost at home to an opponent from the Group of 5 under third-year coach Marcus Freeman.
“Disappointing. It’s our job as coaches to make sure these guys are ready to go,” Freeman said afterward. “I’ve always said performance is a reflection of preparation.”
This is what it’s all about.
NIU’s @NIUCoachHammock is overcome with emotion after leading his team to the win at Notre Dame! @NIU_Football | @NIUAthletics | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/K7oS9tsrTC
— #MACtion (@MACSports) September 7, 2024
What happened to Notre Dame?
Notre Dame can check its College Football Playoff hopes, which fell to 34 percent immediately after Week 2 in The Athletic’s model from 73 percent — and may look far bleaker than that.
Even if the Irish had held on against Northern Illinois, Notre Dame looked like a shell of itself after last weekend’s statement win at Texas A&M. It all left Freeman exposed at the start of his third season, which looked like a make year last weekend and a break year on Saturday.
For Notre Dame, the loss deflates a season that was supposed to define Freeman’s tenure, one way or another. Now he’s left to explain another loss to a Group of 5 team, after previously losing to Marshall in 2022. Back then, Freeman had the benefit of time. He was supposed to learn on the job as a first-time head coach. This is different. Freeman was supposed to have matured in the job entering his third year, both in roster construction and staff assembly.
Retaining defensive coordinator Al Golden and hiring offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock felt like master strokes. Plucking Leonard out of the portal from Duke felt like genius move. Instead, Notre Dame is nearly drowning in questions two weeks into the season. — Sampson
GO DEEPER
Notre Dame suffers stunning upset to NIU: How did everything go so wrong for Irish?
Notre Dame’s offense deflates Playoff hopes
For the second time in as many weeks, Notre Dame’s new-look offense failed to inspire — and this time it cost them the game. Last week against Texas A&M, the Irish admirably rode a couple of long touchdown runs to victory in College Station, which was enough against an even worse A&M offense. But Saturday’s loss to Northern Illinois put the spotlight squarely on those struggles, particularly in the passing game, as Leonard finished 20-for-32 for 163 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions, after throwing for just 158 yards last week. In total, NIU outgained Notre Dame 388 to 286.
Freeman hired Denbrock this offseason specifically to address these concerns, bringing in a veteran play-caller and someone he worked alongside for a number of years while they were both coordinators at Cincinnati. At LSU last season, Denbrock led the most potent offense in the country in terms of points per game and yards per play, and produced a Heisman-winning QB in the process. Neither that explosiveness nor the familiarity has manifested for Notre Dame yet in 2024, but it needs to if the Irish still have any hopes of reaching the Playoff. And after Saturday, they may not. — Williams
NIU scores biggest win in program history
NIU had its moments over the year — beating No. 21 Alabama in 2003, going to the Orange Bowl in 2012 and producing Heisman finalist Jordan Lynch in 2013 – but beating a top-five Notre Dame team in South Bend is without question the biggest win in program history.
The previous highest-ranked win for the Huskies came against No. 15 Maryland on Aug. 28, 2003. It’s also the highest-ranked opponent a MAC team has ever beaten. The last time the MAC had a top-10 win was on Sept. 20, 2003, when it had two, plus NIU’s win over Alabama on the same day.
Sixth-year head coach and former NIU star running back Thomas Hammock led the Huskies to 2021 MAC championship game, but the team had been just 11-15 since then. NIU tied for third in the MAC’s preseason poll, and we’ll see if this upset becomes the prelude to another championship run.
Remember: The highest-ranked Group of 5 conference champion makes the Playoff. — Mandel
MAC wins vs. AP top-10 teams
| Date | Team | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sept. 7, 2024 |
No. 5 Notre Dame |
16-14 |
|
|
Sept. 20, 2003 |
No. 6 Kansas State |
27-20 |
|
|
Sept. 20, 2003 |
No. 9 Pitt |
35-31 |
|
|
Sept. 20, 1986 |
No. 8 LSU |
21-12 |
|
|
Oct. 13, 1962 |
No. 9 Purdue |
10-7 |
Notre Dame has a quarterback problem
For all the praise directed at Leonard during the past nine months, Saturday was a reminder that little of it has been directed toward his right arm. Leonard has leadership qualities and run-game skills, but he has been a developmental passer two games into his Notre Dame career. For a quarterback with designs on playing at the next level, that must improve before the end of this season.
Leonard didn’t complete a pass of at least 20 yards against Northern Illinois and barely attempted any. He often looked hesitant reading the Northern Illinois defense and was picked off in the first half on a late throw over the middle to Jaden Greathouse. He was later picked off in NIU territory, setting up the Huskies’ winning drive.
The best of Leonard remains his rushing ability, which was ominously obvious on Notre Dame’s touchdown drive to open the game. Leonard had five rushing attempts during that drive, including the touchdown. It was as good as the Duke transfer looked in the game.
During training camp, Denbrock referenced how it took Jayden Daniels until his second season at LSU to master his offense, often not trusting his wideouts during that first fall. Leonard doesn’t have that kind of time. — Sampson
Why Notre Dame’s defense struggled
Notre Dame’s defense staged a professional performance last weekend at Texas A&M. The Irish didn’t allow a run of 10 yards or more. They didn’t allow a pass beyond 20 yards. They gave up just 13 points.
That all fell apart against Northern Illinois as the Huskies worked misdirection into the game plan at the expense of the younger Irish linebackers. Ethan Hampton hit running backs Antario Brown for an 83-yard touchdown in the first quarter with Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa in coverage. Brown put up a 43-yard reception later in the quarter. The Huskies also posted a 28-yard run.
.@ethan_hampton4 finds @S1imeBrown and takes it 83-yards to the HOUSE!! @NIU_Football | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/ei7PTsK81U
— #MACtion (@MACSports) September 7, 2024
It’s hard to square how Notre Dame’s younger linebackers — Viliamu-Asa, Drayk Bowen, Jaylen Sneed and Jaiden Ausberry — could regress so much in a each, although Ausberry made a big third-down stop and a fourth-down pass break-up in the second half. Whatever the reason, Golden and linebackers coach Max Bullough have a problem to solve heading toward next week’s game against Purdue.
Jack Kiser might be a reliable captain of the defense, but he needs help. — Sampson
“We’re 1-1. We have to accept that fact. But we have a long season ahead of us.” – Xavier Watts
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) September 7, 2024
What’s next?
Notre Dame resumes its in-state rivalry against Purdue with a trip to West Lafayette next Saturday, followed by home games against Miami (OH) and Louisville before an Oct. 5 idle date.
NIU has an off week to celebrate its monumental win in South Bend before hosting Buffalo on Sept. 21 and visiting NC State for another chance at a Power 4 upset on Sept. 28.
(Photo: Brian Spurlock / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Sports
Navy tops Army with late touchdown as Trump’s attendance in Baltimore sparks protests
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For the second year in a row, the Navy Midshipmen have won the Commander-in-Chief Trophy.
The Midshipmen earned a gutsy 17-16 victory over Army in one of the greatest rivalries in sports.
Navy got out to a scorching-hot start, as they scored a touchdown on their first drive, with Blake Horvath rushing for 45 of the 75 yards on the drive and running in for the score. He also had an 11-yard pass.
President Donald Trump greets players after the coin toss and before the start of the 126th Army-Navy Game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen at M&T Bank Stadium, Saturday, in Baltimore, Md. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Army, though, answered right back with an identical drive, going 13 plays for 75 yards — this one ended with Cale Hellums punching one in.
Navy’s offense was stalled for a long while after, as their next three drives ended in a punt, fumble, and interception. In the meantime, the Black Knights were able to tack on three more field goals to go up, 16-7. Late in the third, the Midshipmen finally added more points on the scoreboard with a field goal that cut their deficit to three.
Early in the fourth, Navy forced an Army interception. Navy had the ball at the goal line but fumbled on a quarterback sneak, losing seven yards. Horvath hit Eli Heidenrich in the end zone, though, and the ensuing kick gave the Midshipmen their first lead since the first drive of the game.
Navy promptly forced a three-and-out and got the ball back with less than five minutes to go. Navy lost a fumble when trying for a first down that would have iced the game, but the play was reviewed, and the call was reversed. Thus, Navy had a fourth-and-1 and kept the offense on the field. They got the first down that iced the game.
US President Donald Trump tosses a coin before the college football game between the US Army and Navy in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 13, 2025. (Photo by Alex Wroblewski / AFP via Getty Images)
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With the win, Navy earned the Commander-in-Chief trophy by also defeating Air Force earlier in the year.
The game was its usual old-school ground-and-pound style of football, as there were only 24 pass attempts compared to 86 runs.
President Donald Trump attended the game for the seventh time, and his second in as many years since being elected again. Trump participated in the coin flip, but not before protesters wielded lewd signs opposing Trump on the street leading up to the stadium.
Protests were expected for the game in the blue city, as Trump has suggested sending the National Guard to Baltimore to help address the city’s rampant crime. Baltimore consistently ranks among U.S. cities with high crime rates, often appearing in the top 5 for violent crimes, especially homicides and robberies.
U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd-L) walks onto the field for the 126th Army-Navy Game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen on Dec. 13, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. The teams are competing for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, with President Trump attending the rivalry for the second consecutive year. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
The protests against Trump also come on the same day that officials said two U.S. Army soldiers and a U.S. interpreter were killed in an ambush attack in Syria.
Fox News’ Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.
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Sports
Jarred Vanderbilt hoping for an opportunity to help Lakers on defense
Perhaps Jarred Vanderbilt and his ability to defend can help the Lakers and their reeling defense.
Perhaps Vanderbilt can return to the rotation to help the Lakers’ defensive woes while guard Austin Reaves is out for approximately a week because of a mild left calf strain.
And perhaps Vanderbilt and the Lakers can get some immediate results for shoring up their defensive shortcomings when they face the Suns in Phoenix on Sunday afternoon.
The 6-foot-8 Vanderbilt is hopeful that his opportunity will come against the Suns and he turns that into a positive for the Lakers.
“Oh, yeah, I’m pretty eager,” he said after practice Saturday. “I mean, obviously, I think a lot of the stuff we lack, I think I can help provide on that end.”
In the last 10 games, Vanderbilt had only a three-minute stint against the Philadelphia 76ers because Jake LaRavia took a shot to the face that loosened a tooth.
The return of LeBron James and Vanderbilt’s offensive deficiencies left him out of the rotation. During much of that time the Lakers were winning, which meant Vanderbilt spent time on the bench.
In 15 games, Vanderbilt is three for 10 (26.6%) from three-point range. He was asked how he has been handling things.
“Good,” Vanderbilt said. “Controlling what I can control. Keep showing up to work, doing my part, supporting the team.”
Vanderbilt was asked if coach JJ Redick or any assistants have spoken to him about his role.
“Kind of here and there, I guess,” Vanderbilt said.
Vanderbilt was seen after practice Saturday working with an assistant coach on his shooting, just like he did after practice Friday and like he has done while not playing.
Redick said Reaves, who played against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night, wasn’t sure when the calf became an issue, and “we’re obviously gonna be cautious with it.”
“It’s a mild strain, Grade 1, and he’ll be out for a week,” Redick said, adding, “I would venture to say every player is a little bit different, but players now are becoming more cautious — to use that word again — more cautious when they get those diagnosis with the calf. Everything looks clean. It’s not in the deep part.”
The Lakers have looked at the last 10 games during the film sessions as a barometer for their defensive problems. But in reality, the Lakers have not been very good on defense all season while producing a 17-7 record because of their stellar offense.
“It’s been a trending thing even when we was winning, so I think like you said, the defense still wasn’t there, but we was just outscoring everybody,” Vanderbilt said. “So, I think obviously during the loss, it’s an appropriate time to address certain things just so it won’t keep lingering and get worse.”
The Lakers are 18th in the NBA in points given up (116.8), 22nd in opponents’ field-goal percentage (48.1%) and 27th in opponents’ three-point shooting (38.2%).
They will face a Suns team that defeated them Dec. 1 at Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers were unable to stop Collin Gillesipie, who had 28 points and was eight for 14 from three-point range, and Dillon Brooks, who had 33 points.
It hasn’t gotten better in the ensuing days. The Spurs loss was the Lakers’ third in the last five games.
“Nobody likes to go watch film after you get your ass kicked,” guard Marcus Smart said. “It’s tough because the film never lies. And it exposed us a lot, which we already knew. We were just winning a lot of games. So it was mitigated that way, but it was straight to it: We have to be able to guard.
“The scouting report against us is we’re not guarding people. And if we want to be great in this league and do what we’re trying to do, you have to be able to guard, especially in the West. These guys are no joke, and they’re coming. And especially [if] you got the Lakers across your jersey. They’re definitely coming with everything they have. So you can’t be expecting any surprises. And that’s what it was. It wasn’t no sugarcoating anything. It was, ‘This is what we got to do.’ We’ve been asked. Let’s fix it.”
Sports
Michigan football staffer who had alleged affair with Sherrone Moore still employed by university
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The football staffer who allegedly had a romantic relationship with fired head coach Sherrone Moore is still employed by the University of Michigan.
The woman has served as Moore’s executive assistant.
“There is no change in her employment status,” a Michigan spokesperson told Fox News.
The woman received a massive pay bump between 2024 and 2025.
Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore appears via video in court in Ann Arbor, Mich., Dec. 12, 2025. (Ryan Sun/AP Photo)
The individual allegedly linked to Moore, whose LinkedIn profile lists her as an executive assistant to the head football coach at the University of Michigan, made just over $58,000 in 2023 and 2024, according to public payroll information. In the 2025 fiscal year, though, her salary jumped to $99,000, according to a salary disclosure report from the University of Michigan.
During Moore’s arraignment Friday, prosecutors alleged he and the staffer had been in an “intimate relationship for a number of years,” which they say the woman ended on Monday. Prosecutors further claim Moore sent multiple text messages and made phone calls that prompted the woman to report the situation to the university and cooperate with its investigation.
Moore was released from jail Friday on $25,000 bond, according to police records obtained by Fox News Digital.
However, it’s unclear whether Moore will be returning home to his family.
Moore’s attorney, Joseph Simon, declined to say whether the coach will be going home to his wife and three children while speaking to reporters at an Ann Arbor courthouse Friday.
FIRED MICHIGAN COACH SHERRONE MOORE ACCUSED OF STALKING VICTIM ‘FOR MONTHS’ IN POLICE DISPATCH AUDIO
“I’m just going to not answer that question,” Simon said when asked if Moore was “going to be able to go home.”
Moore has been married to wife Kelli since 2015, and they have three daughters together — Shiloh, Solei and Sadie. Simon also declined to comment on the “mood” of his client after Moore was charged.
The conditions of Moore’s release require him to wear a GPS tether and continue mental health treatment and forbid him from communicating with the victim.
Moore was fired Wednesday, and the University of Michigan quickly announced it found credible evidence he had an “inappropriate relationship” with a staffer. Moore was then detained by police Wednesday after news of his dismissal broke.
Moore was arraigned in court Friday on stalking and home invasion charges. According to prosecutors, he faces a felony charge of home invasion in the third degree and two misdemeanor charges of stalking and breaking and entering without the owner’s permission.
Both misdemeanor charges are related to a “domestic relationship.”
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Michigan Wolverines head football coach Sherrone Moore during warmups before a game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Wrigley Field in Chicago Nov. 15, 2025. (Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
When Moore was fired from his position as head coach, prosecutors said, it prompted him to visit the woman’s home.
Moore then allegedly “barged” his way into the residence, grabbed a butter knife and a pair of kitchen scissors and began threatening his own life. According to prosecutors, Moore allegedly told the staffer, “My blood is on your hands” and “You ruined my life.”
Prosecutors claimed Moore “terrorized” the staffer and that they believed him to be a “risk to public safety.”
Fox News’ Patrick McGovern contributed to this report.
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