If your opponent—who was judged to be manifestly inferior—beat you on national television and then offered to assist you in addressing the vulnerabilities they had just exploited, how would you feel?
That seemed to be a “please and thank you” moment for Marcus Freeman, the head coach of Notre Dame.
That’s exactly what Northern Illinois head coach Thomas Hammock did, and Freeman accepted politely, he said on Wednesday in an interview with Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” podcast.
Before their Week 2 clash, Hammock said he and Freeman had previously discussed over the phone what Northern Illinois had seen on tape and was able to take advantage of on the field.
Throughout the whole game, the Huskies intercepted quarterback Riley Leonard twice to deny then-ranked No. 5 Notre Dame any chance to reach the end zone through the air. Up until the Irish seized a one-point lead, 14-13, late in the third quarter, they were ahead 13-7.
With 30 seconds left, Northern Illinois marched downfield to kick what would ultimately become the game-winning field goal following a defensive struggle in the fourth quarter.
When the clock was running down, the Huskies defense stopped Notre Dame’s attempt at a walk-off field goal, giving the program and the Mid-American Conference their first victory over a top-five opponent.
“As a head coach, I obviously have a lot of respect for [Freeman],” said Hammock. “I want him to do well.”
According to the most recent AP poll, Northern Illinois is currently rated No. 25 and may compete for the one College Football Playoff slot given to the highest-ranked Group of Five conference winner.
