The talk of the college football world this week? Northern Illinois University, of course.

Fresh off their epic upset of Notre Dame, the Huskies are suddenly basking in the glow from football fans everywhere, except maybe those in South Bend. Much the same way a bracket-busting March Madness basketball underdog captivates the entire country, NIU did the same.

Like many from the local area, I made the pilgrimage to what is considered the most hallowed ground of college football, the campus of Notre Dame, hoping to witness history. Amidst all that pageantry and in front of a national television audience, the Huskies scored an improbable 16-14 win over a program with 11 national championships and seven Heisman Trophy winners.

Trailing 7-0 after ND easily drove downfield on its first possession and then starting at the two-yard line after botching the ensuing kickoff, that final outcome seemed improbable. My hope was that the Huskies could keep the game close and at least look respectable against the number-five team in the country. On a beautiful late summer day, it would be a shame for a blowout to spoil everything.

Boy, did I underestimate what these Huskies were capable of.

What’s makes the win even more remarkable is the widening gap between the haves and have-nots in collegiate athletics. The four power conferences and stand-alone Notre Dame have the resources to do whatever they want, while NIU and others like them can only grab for the crumbs left behind.

In the era of NIL and transfer portal, where it takes a million dollars plus to attract a high-quality quarterback to your school, Notre Dame can afford those types of athletes, while NIU cannot. Also, it is more enticing playing in front of 80,000 fans and being on national TV every week. You get that at South Bend, not in DeKalb.

How did the Huskies pull off the near impossible feat?

After listening to Huskie lineman Cade Haberman in the press conference after the game, could it be the power of love? Haberman, who blocked two ND field goal attempts, including on the game’s final play, spoke of an abounding love among players and coaches.

“We don’t have the resources of other schools,” Haberman said. “We truly love each other. The coaches build relationships with us.”

The theory of love offsetting money, recruiting advantages and tradition has credence. Money can have a corruptive nature to it, and it is possible ND’s mindset has been altered to a negative degree by it.

According to Corinthians, love is patient, kind, does not envy and it is not proud. That was evident in the way NIU players and coaches unselfishly lifted one another up.

That transformation in spirit was on display, as the four-touchdown underdog Huskies stood up to their more talented rivals and actually out-played them. Physicality and final stats (388-286 total yard advantage) bear that out.

“We didn’t need luck. That was our theme,” NIU Head Coach Thomas Hammock said. “We stayed together and made plays when we had to. After their first drive, we settled in and went into attack mode. I think we were bigger than (ND) thought.”

Hammock was so emotional after the win that he began crying when interviewed by NBC. What a refreshing change compared with high-powered head coaching types who attempt to maintain a slick, stoic image.

Playing football at a Catholic high school in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the win on the grounds of the Golden Dome, Touchdown Jesus and the Basilica has special meaning for Hammock. He recounted a story of making a trip there to watch the Irish in his youth.

Growing up close to DeKalb, I relate to the impact a college football game has. In 1968, my dad took me to first NIU game. Upon entering Huskie Stadium, I remember was how green the Astroturf looked and the large crowd present.

Certainly, a much bigger spectacle than my town of Rochelle had to offer at the football field. Yes, college football truly is an American institution and one that I have embraced ever since then as an NIU fan.

Was the 2013 Orange Bowl appearance and Jordan Lynch mania bigger than the Notre Dame win?

Hard to say, as both experiences were unique in their own way.

Here’s what I can report. When unheralded Kanon Woodill, whose looks reminded me of the Olympics pommel horse guy, lined up to attempt the game-winning field goal, my legs started to twitch nervously as I stood on the field near the goal posts. It’s rare for this to happen to me, the only other times being in pressure-packed situations with high-school teams I have become emotionally attached with.

I don’t recall any leg twitching for the Orange Bowl, so I’m giving more credence to the ND win.

Fortunately, the Huskies have this week off, allowing extra time to soak up all the exposure they are getting. Hammock said he looked forward to having a bye, so as to ease his players back down to reality.

For now, let them live it up. The joy they brought me and countless other fans was indescribable. It is almost like my life as a football fan has finally been fulfilled. Whether you made the trip to South Bend from Rochelle, Oregon, Byron, Stillman Valley, Polo, Forreston or Mt. Morris, it was a shared experience for all of us.

On final note, credit to the University of Notre Dame and its fans for presenting such a classy event. Even in a loss, they were gracious to their visitors. On top of that, NIU received $1.4 million from ND to make the trip to South Bend for the game.

Andy Colbert is a longtime Ogle County resident with years of experience covering sports and more for multiple area publications.