September 2, 1995: Northwestern, a 28-point underdog, stages one of college football's most memorable upsets with a 17-15 win at Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish were ranked No. 9 and had a 14-game winning streak against Northwestern that stretched back to 1962. Entering this game, Northwestern hadn't had a winning season since 1971.
Running back Darnell Autry led Northwestern with 160 yards on 33 carries while Steve Schnur threw two touchdown passes. Schnur's 26-yard connection to D'Wayne Bates extended Northwestern's lead to 17-9 in the third quarter.
Randy Kinder's touchdown run for Notre Dame with six minutes left cut the lead to 17-15. But the ensuing two-point conversion attempt ended with quarterback Ron Powlus stumbling to the ground after stepping on a teammate.
Notre Dame had one more possession, but Northwestern stopped the Irish on a 4-and-2 play near midfield.
The Wildcats went on to win the Big Ten championship and reached the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1949. Gary Barnett won multiple coach of the year awards, and linebacker Pat Fitzgerald was the national defensive player of the year.
For more about Northwestern's remarkable 1995 season, read this excerpt of safety Matt Stewart's memoir.
