Notre Dame lost to Northern Illinois in South Bend on Saturday afternoon.

It’s a crushing result that comes just 1 week after the Irish’s triumphant win over Texas A&M in College Station.

Quarterback Riley Leonard was poor in his home debut, throwing 2 interceptions in the loss. His second INT setup Northern Illinois on a field goal drive that took almost the entirety of the remaining 5:55 off the clock. Northern Illinois was able to make a 35-yarder to take a 16-14 lead with just 31 seconds left.

Northern Illinois’ final drive included a 4th-and-2 conversion that took place just on the other side of the 2-minute warning. From there, the Huskies were able to bleed the clock down and kick a game-winning field goal.

Notre Dame’s ensuing drive crossed into Northern Illinois territory, but the Irish’s 62-yard field goal attempt as time expired was blocked.

Notre Dame’s offense struggled all night long. The Irish scored a touchdown on their opening drive, but then didn’t find the end zone again until the 3rd quarter on a touchdown run by Jeremiyah Love. Following that TD drive, Notre Dame’s offense produced 2 punts (both 3-and-outs) and that fateful Leonard INT.

This is Northern Illinois’ first ranked win since it beat No. 24 Toledo in 2015.

The implications for this loss could be massive nationally. Prior to this defeat, Notre Dame was viewed as a top contender to earn an a spot in the CFP. With a blemish of this calibre on its résumé, it’s unclear whether or not the Irish could recover to make the CFP even if they run the table for the rest of the season.

Notre Dame was a 28-point favorite in this game in Vegas. This is the 3rd time Notre Dame has lost outright as a double-digit favorite in the Marcus Freeman era.