Northern Illinois's 'Boneyard' Is One of the Coolest Traditions in College Football

Fresh off an upset of Notre Dame on the road, the college football world learned that the Huskies take their "boneyard wins" quite literally.

Hammock owns a career 26–33 record since being hired by Northern Illinois ahead of the 2019 season. / Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK

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:

College football >>>>>>>> https://t.co/lBGWhPF9lN

— Pypeline (@Pypeline_) September 10, 2024

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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