Getty Image
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish paid $1.4 million for the pleasure of getting upset at home by the Northern Illinois Huskies on Saturday.
But we almost missed out on a fairytale ending entirely after an unbelievably bad spot cost the Huskies the chance to kick a game-winning field goal as time expired.
Northern Illinois faced third-and-2 at the Notre Dame 20-yard line with 43 seconds left in the game. A first down would’ve given the Huskies the chance to run the clock down before kicking a field goal.
They handed the ball off to running back Gavin Williams, who seemed to easily pass the line to gain. But the officials disagreed.
Officials Try To Hand Notre Dame A Victory With Jaw-Dropping Spot
The line judge appeared to mark the ball a full yard shy of where Williams touched the ground, allowing Notre Dame to call a timeout after forcing fourth down, and fans could not believe it.
What a horrendous spot by that official. He’s easily got a first down
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) September 7, 2024
Hahahah there's no way that is the spot in the Northern Illinois-Notre Dame game. That has to be illegal.
— Jeff D. Lowe (@JeffDLowe) September 7, 2024
I have no idea how this NIU/ND game will end, but Northern Illinois just got jobbed with the worst spot & review in the history of football.
— Jake Query (@jakequery) September 7, 2024
Fans and media members alike seemed to unanimously agree that the officials spotted the ball nowhere close to where it should have been.
Friendliest spot ever in South Bend, what on earth.
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) September 7, 2024
That’s the worst spot in South Bend since Cleveland Gary
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) September 7, 2Th024
Northern Illinois kicker Kanon Wodill then came out and drilled a 35-yard field goal to put NIU ahead 16-14. But the bad spot meant Notre Dame had 31 seconds and one timeout left to try to win the game.
The Fighting Irish drove all the way into Huskies territory. But ND kicker Mitch Jeter had his 62-yard field goal attempt blocked and Northern Illinois held on for the huge upset.
The play was eerily reminiscent of a similarly awful spot in Week 1 for West Virginia against Penn State. Thankfully, that spot also did not affect the outcome. But it’s starting to become a worrying trend in college football.