Notre Dame struggles after loss to Northern Illinois in playoffs race

Notre Dame's football team faced a significant setback after losing to Northern Illinois, marking one of the biggest upsets in the program's history. The game concluded with Northern Illinois kicker Kanon Woodill successfully converting a 35-yard field goal with just 31 seconds remaining. Despite a last-minute effort, Notre Dame's kicker Mitch Jeter had his 62-yard attempt blocked, sealing the defeat. Coach Marcus Freeman emphasized the need for a better mental approach and mindset moving forward. Quarterback Riley Leonard, a first-year starter who transferred from Duke, struggled during the game, completing only 20 of 32 passes for 163 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. The offensive line, featuring three sophomores and two freshmen, contributed to his challenges. Freeman acknowledged that Leonard's decision-making must improve, but also highlighted the need for better support from the entire team, including catching passes and making contested plays. Looking ahead, Notre Dame must enhance its performance across offense, defense, and special teams as they prepare for their next game against the Boilermakers, who recently achieved a dominant 49-0 victory over Indiana State. The team is aware that to regain a position in the college football playoff race, they not only need to win their remaining games but also require favorable outcomes from teams currently ahead of them in the rankings. Despite the disappointment, there remains ample opportunity for Notre Dame to turn their season around. The coaching staff and players are focused on addressing their shortcomings and improving their overall performance in the coming weeks.