NIU’s Boneyard Chain Added to Bobblehead Celebrating Upset Victory over Notre Dame

We’re excited to announce that we are adding a removable replica of NIU’s Boneyard Chain to the Northern Illinois Huskies Upset Victory Bobblehead that we unveiled last week and has been extremely popular so far. The Boneyard Chain was seen on the field following the game and made national headlines when NIU’s Boneyard went viral following NIU’s social media post showing the updated Boneyard.

NIU’s “Boneyard” is where the Huskies commemorate their big football victories over Power Four programs. The wall in the football locker room is covered with bones, and each bone is hung in front of the logo of their opponent and is engraved with the date and final score. The program has kept a log of “boneyard wins” since 1983. The most recent was NIU’s 16-14 upset victory at No. 5 Notre Dame, marking the Huskies’ 19th bone and their first vs. a top five team. Other “boneyard wins” include victories over Nebraska in 2017, Iowa in 2013, and Alabama in 2003.

Last Friday, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled a limited-edition bobblehead commemorating the NIU football team’s upset victory over fifth-ranked Notre Dame on Saturday, September 7th in South Bend, Indiana. The bobblehead features Northern Illinois’ mascot Victor E. Huskie standing in front of a scoreboard showcasing the winning score from the biggest victory in the history of NIU football. The special edition bobblehead is being produced by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, an official licensee of Northern Illinois University.

• The bobbleheads are now available in the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum’s Online Store at this link.
• The bobbleheads, which are expected to ship in January, are $40 each plus a flat-rate shipping charge of $8 per order.
• Each bobblehead will be individually numbered to 2,024.
• Proudly wearing the school colors, the Victor E. Huskie bobblehead is standing on a football turf-like base. He is holding a football adorned with the NIU Huskies logo in his left arm and showing his Huskie pride by making the “Go Huskies!” hand gesture with his other arm. Victor is standing in front of a scoreboard that shows the final score. The center of the scoreboard also reads: “NIU HUSKIES PULL OFF HISTORIC UPSET AT NOTRE DAME STADIUM! – SEPTEMBER 7, 2024.”
• On Saturday, September 7th, the Northern Illinois Huskies shocked the world with a stunning 16-14 victory over fifth-ranked Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. It was NIU’s first non-conference victory over a ranked opponent since beating No. 21 Alabama in 2003.
• Kanon Woodill connected on a 35-yard field goal with 31 seconds to play and Cade Haberman blocked a potential game-winning 62-yard field attempt on the final play of the game to preserve the victory. The victory marked the Huskies’ first-ever win over an opponent ranked in the top five. It was also NIU’s 19th Boneyard victory – wins over power conference and ranked programs – since 1983. Antario Brown finished with 225 total yards (126 receiving, 99 rushing) and a touchdown, while quarterback Ethan Hampton passed for 198 yards and a TD for the Huskies. After the victory, NIU was rewarded with its first top 25 ranking since December 8th, 2013.
• The Huskies are now ranked #25 in the AP Top 25 Poll going into a bye week before hosting Buffalo in DeKalb on Saturday, September 21st.
• “We’re excited to unveil this limited-edition bobblehead celebrating the Northern Illinois Huskies’ upset victory over Notre Dame,” National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum co-founder and CEO Phil Sklar said. “The Huskies were the talk of the college football world after their triumph at Notre Dame Stadium and kicked off what is sure to be a highlight-filled 2024 season. This bobblehead is the perfect way for NIU fans, alumni, students, faculty, and staff to show off their school pride!”
• The Museum has previously released bobbleheads featuring NIU’s live Husky mascot, Mission I, II, and III as well as a series of Victor E. Huskie Fight Song Bobbleheads. Those bobbleheads are available at this link.
• The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, which is located at 170 S. 1st. St. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, opened to the public on February 1st, 2019. The HOF and Museum also produces high quality, customized bobbleheads for retail sale as well as organizations, individuals, and teams across the country.