Do you believe in upsets? Yesterday, a former Savannah Area football player significantly impacted a huge college football upset!
On August 29, 2024, Nathan Dominitz wrote an article on the Prep Sports Report website, conducting extensive research on over 150 college football players from Savannah, GA, and the surrounding area playing college football this season.
College football database: Who’s playing for teams in Georgia and outside the Peach State? via Nathan Dominitz
As an avid football fan and following these former players, and yes, this week, Antario Brown, from Beach High School, Class of 2020, on National Television, 
made a statement with his Northern Illinois teammates. Which, if you follow college football, is a football program that is consistently good year in and year out. So, what did Brown do?
Antario set the table for the Northern Illinois Huskies' upset of the #5 Notre Dame Irish. That will probably be the most significant upset in college football this season and history.
Click on this link for higlights from Sports illustrted on "X" formally Twitter
In the game against Notre Dame on September 7, 2024, the college football world was shocked by Northern Illinois's 16-14 victory. Brown played a big part in the team's victory. The first of several memorable moments occurred right at the beginning of the game when Brown caught an impressive 83-yard seam pass from quarterback Ethan Hampton and scored a touchdown, tying the game 7-7. This play showcased Brown's speed and skill in breaking away from #5 Notre Dame's defense.
Click on this link for highlights from NIU Athletics on "X" formally Twitter
During the game, Antario kept making big plays on both running and passing plays, gaining more than 200 yards before exiting the game in the third quarter due to injury. Antario finished with 20 carries for 99 yards rushing and two receptions for 126 yards receiving, ending with 225 total yards. Although the impact of his injury prevented him from playing the entire game, his performance until then proved to be essential.
The game was intense, and when Northern Illinois kicked a 35-yard field goal by Kanon Woodill with 31 seconds left, which would be the Huskies' clinching score. Notre Dame's offense still got the ball back with 31 seconds left in the game and moved it to the Huskies's 45-yard line. The Irish tried a final 62-yard field goal to win the game, but Northern Illinois blocked it to secure their major upset.
Click on this link for highlights from Joe pompliano on "X" formally Twitter
Brown's achievements and the team's overall display gained national attention on social media. Fans were shocked by Northern Illinois' surprising victory, being a 28-point underdog to the Irish, highlighting Brown's outstanding performance on the field. This win is now being hailed as one of the most memorable underdog victories in Northern Illinois football lore; they have beaten seven of the top 20 college football programs in their history, but none ever in the top 10.
Click on this link for highlights from Awful Announcing on "X" formally Twitter
Last year as a junior, Antario had 1,296 rushing yards and ten rushing touchdowns. This season, so far, in two games, he has rushed for 168 yards on 28 attempts, with four receptions for 171 yards and one touchdown. In three seasons, Brown has rushed for 2691 yards with 22 rushing scores and 17 catches for 230 yards and two touchdowns. These statistics further highlight Brown's influence on the Northern Illinois football program and confirm his status as one of the top Huskies running backs in the program's history.
As an added note, Antario has been named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, which was announced in August before the season started. What is the Maxwell Award? It is a major colege football award that is presented each year to the most outstanding college football player. Another well deserved honor for the A.E. beach high School alum! Congratulations, Antario and your Northern Illinois teammates, on this extraordinary victory!
PHOTO CREDIT: Northern Illinois Athletics/Dennis Knight SMN pages and various "X" sites - formally Twitter
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Optim Orthopedics generously sponsors Prep Sports Report football coverage!
Optim Orthopedics is a familiar face on Savannah's prep sports scene, extending their support from the gridiron to the court. Their dedication to local athletes goes beyond logos, offering crucial medical support to nine powerhouse high schools:
- Dr. Don Aaron: Bryan County Middle/High School
- Dr. David Sedory: Benedictine Military, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County
- Dr. David Palmer: Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham
- Dr. Thomas Alexander: Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent's
As Southeast leaders in fellowship-trained orthopedic surgery, Optim Orthopedics proudly sponsors the Prep Sports Report. Remember, Optim Orthopedics gets you back into the game!
