The Northern Illinois Huskies stole the spotlight in Week 2 of the college football season by upsetting No. 5 Notre Dame 16–14 on Saturday for their first win over a top-10 opponent in program history.
Huskies coach Thomas Hammock called it a "boneyard win" in an emotional interview on the NBC broadcast after the game, which is the term NIU uses for any victory over a Power Four program. On Tuesday, the college football world learned that Northern Illinois takes that "boneyard win" description quite literally.
WGN TV's Josh Frydman posted a picture to social media Tuesday of the Huskies' "boneyard" where each of those big wins are celebrated on a wall covered with bones. Each bone is hung in front of the logo of their opponent and is engraved with the date and score.
The @NIU_Football “boneyard” where the Huskies stack their marquee wins over major programs. They’ll add the 19th bone after their first W vs. a top 5 team. We’ll hear from @NIUCoachHammock and the Huskies after knocking off Notre Dame tonight on @WGNNews & @GNSportsTV. pic.twitter.com/VR4iNS5I6E
— Josh Frydman (@Josh_Frydman) September 10, 2024
Among those "boneyard wins" in program history include victories over Nebraska in 2017, Iowa in '13 and Alabama in '03.
The program has kept a log of "boneyard wins" since 1983. Hammock, who played for the Huskies from 1999 to 2002, helped Northern Illinois to a boneyard victory by rushing for 172 yards in a win over Wake Forest in '02.
College football fans approve of the boneyard:
This goes so hard https://t.co/53DShgXJMY
— BRYCE YOUNG FANPAGE. (@The_Fantasy_PhD) September 11, 2024
This is why college football is my favorite sport. https://t.co/GekGV9uWwl
— Brett Belding (@bbelding) September 10, 2024
College football rules. https://t.co/8R8DG2KBbC
— Brandon Beam (@BrandonBeam971) September 10, 2024
Once again:
— Pypeline (@Pypeline_) September 10, 2024
College football >>>>>>>> https://t.co/lBGWhPF9lN
Northern Illinois, now 2–0 this season, will have a week off to enjoy its win over Notre Dame before retuning to action Sept. 21 against Buffalo.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Northern Illinois's 'Boneyard' Is One of the Coolest Traditions in College Football.
