Notre Dame pulls away from Wisconsin: Irish shake slow start, cruise in second half to season-opening win

Part of the reason Notre Dame is a projected playoff team this season is due to the Irish's overall roster strengths and a favorable slate. A leading cog in that two-deep belief is Notre Dame's offensive front, a unit that was initially hog-tied by Wisconsin's defensive line at Lambeau Field before Ashton Craig, Anthonie Knapp and Will Black began having their way in the second half.

There were some red flags early that Marcus Freeman attributed to his team "pressing" a bit, but like all elite teams, the Irish settled down. And if you've watched Wisconsin the last few years under Fickell, finding any resemblance to the hard-nosed mentality he's known for throughout his coaching career has been a real challenge.

If we're pulling positives, at least the Badgers looked different for a half prior to the floodgates opening. There's going to be matchups far more favorable than this for Wisconsin this season. The showing at Lambeau Field is potential building block, as long as you throw out the fourth-quarter film and the failed block that sped up Colton Joseph and led to the game-changing interception.

Outside of a muffed kickoff return in the first half, the Badgers managed to do the little things right — avoid critical penalties, flip field position with precision on the punt team and even partially blocked a punt in the opening quarter that led to easy points for the offense — to stay in the game.

Then, the second half happened — a pick six, a coverage bust and an exhausted defense that gave up a throwaway score late.

Notre Dame deserves credit for that. It's why the Irish's projected win total sits at 11.5. For Wisconsin, overcoming such mistakes is a necessity pushing forward when the Big Ten slate begins.

Nothing has changed in terms of opinions for either program after this one, other than Notre Dame's B-minus effort being good enough for a 28-point win.

The launch point opportunity for Notre Dame's by-committee backfield was the national spotlight against Wisconsin.

That rocket sputtered a bit in the first half before eventually leaving the pad with on-again, off-again boosters thereafter. The Irish's replacements in the run game were this team's biggest question entering the new campaign and for now, there's two leaders for most snaps in the backfield after Week 1 — Aneyas Williams and Nolan James.

Williams rushed for a career-best 90 yards and two touchdowns while James had four drive-continuing receptions, including a score in the fourth quarter.

After failing to show line-of-scrimmage dominance early in the opener, you can guarantee Marcus Freeman's postgame message to his offensive line group and running back room will be quite poignant ahead of the homer opener.

In fact, what he relayed to his team at halftime leading 13-10 was part of it.

"For one, I told them it was going to be a struggle," Freeman said after the game. "Luke Fickell-coached teams are going to fight you, they're going to be tough. I think that first half, we were pressing a little bit. I was pressing. We did a much better job of execution after that."

Notre Dame wanted to run the football, but the Badgers didn't let it happen during the first 30 minutes. Gaps were filled, there were no holes to be off the edges and the Irish's multi-back approach after losing a pair of first-round ballcarriers failed to yield production.

Mike Denbrock's offense will not function at maximum capabilities without it this season. That's too much pressure on quarterback CJ Carr, who finally found his footing down the stretch when the Irish started moving the football on first down by handing it off.

"Being able to run the ball helped tremendously," Freeman said after Carr's two-touchdown night. "We gave CJ a real chance to dissect what he wanted to do in the passing game."

For 2.5 quarters, the version of Wisconsin that Luke Fickell was ingesting was exactly what a sharpened offseason focus on physicality was supposed to look like for a program that had previously failed to meet expectations under his watch.

Then came the all-too-familiar implosion, a critical mistake midway through the third quarter that was a back-breaking execution failure resulting in a Notre Dame touchdown and curtains beginning to slowly make their way down to the stage.

Fickell dipped into the transfer portal this cycle for 34 new players this cycle, none more important than who he sought at the quarterback position. He needed to ensure play-caller Jeff Grimes had a veteran capable of piloting the offense, but most of all, a player with leadership ability who would not put the Badgers in crippling situation.

For the most part, Colton Joseph checked those boxes across all departments in his Badgers debut. A two-year starter from Old Dominion, Joseph provided stability and efficiency in the first half and showed grit as a run-threat in short yardage situations. 

He's a player capable of mimicking his coach's business-like approach and keeping this unit on schedule, but his only mistake in his first start nuked whatever momentum Wisconsin had mustered against a worthy, top-5 foe. 

DJ McKinney's pick-six in the third quarter that came after Notre Dame's touchdown drive to open the half pushed what was a 3-point halftime deficit for the Badgers to 17 in a matter of moments.

The pendulum swung and the game's defining moment was once again on the sideline opposite of Fickell's squad.

Wisconsin can draw positives from this one, including a respectable, refreshed identity against a national championship contender, but the bottom line is this — Fickell's five games under .500 with the Badgers and many of those losses can be attributed to mistakes.

FINAL: Notre Dame 41, Wisconsin 13

Whatever dose of truth serum Marcus Freeman delivered at halftime of fourth-ranked Notre Dame's 34-13 dismantling of Wisconsin, the Irish need a season-long supply shipped to South Bend immediately.

After sputtering in the first half with 29 yards rushing and a single offensive touchdown with so many newcomers, Notre Dame pushed the issue on the ground after intermission and used a interception return for a touchdown from Colorado transfer DJ McKinney to thwart the Badgers' upset bid.

Notre Dame's "leave no doubt" mantra for the 2026 season after being left out of last fall's College Football Playoff stalled early prior to the Irish's notable response inside Lambeau Field during the third quarter. Making his first start at running back, Aneyas Williams scored two touchdowns and rushed for a career-best 90 yards on 20 carries.

He's the first man up in the Notre Dame backfield to replace the terrorizing combo of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, who are now in the NFL as first-round selections. Nolan James and Kedren Young saw spot duty as ballcarriers, but it was production from James as a receiving threat that revealed a new playmaker (four catches, 67 yards, touchdown).

Jordan Faison was a big-play threat in the passing game with four catches for 81 yards. Heisman candidate CJ Carr finished an efficient 19-of-29 for 239 yards and two touchdowns, including a red zone toss to James Flanigan.

The opportunity for Wisconsin was to show college football that its turnaround begins now under Luke Fickell. Instead, the Badgers sustained — and delivered — body blows to Notre Dame in the opening half before never getting off the mat after intermission.

Wisconsin was outscored 28-3 in the second half and never regained initial rhythm that was discovered early, much of that to do with the multi-score deficit. 

At some point, proof of concept has to materialize for Fickell, who dropped to 17-22 overall with the Badgers and has too often squandered spotlight opportunities. He's on one of the Big Ten's hottest seats this season and Wisconsin pushed all resources to the table this offseason to ensure the two-deep would be good enough to hang.

Early 4Q: Notre Dame 34, Wisconsin 13

Like any quality top-5 team, the Irish have delivered a second-half knockout punch down the stretch after sputtering through the first few rounds in the ring with the Badgers.

It's two possessions, two touchdowns in the second half for Notre Dame, this scoring drive punctuated by Aneyas Williams' touchdown run on the night. Williams has 66 yards on 16 carries, much of that total coming during the second half.

Notre Dame has outscored Wisconsin, 21-3, in the second half to break open what was once a competitive opener at Lambeau.

End of 3Q: Notre Dame 27, Wisconsin 13

Gavin Lahm's second field goal of the contest — a 36-yarder with 18 seconds left in the third quarter — has brought the Badgers within two possessions entering the final frame. Lahm's boot capped a methodical 14-play, 47-yard drive that stretched 8:38 off the clock and kept Notre Dame's offense off the field.

The Badgers are going to need a stop on Notre Dame's upcoming possession or a matchup that Wisconsin had within its grasp at halftime will likely end in a multi-score setback.

Notre Dame safety Brauntae Johnson left the game in the first half with a lower body injury and did not return. He was seen in a walking boot in the third quarter on the sideline after starting the game at free safety alongside Adon Shuler. Johnson's a major piece of Notre Dame's elite secondary and not a player the Irish can afford to lose for a long period of time. He managed 35 tackles and recorded four interceptions last season.

Mid 3Q: Notre Dame 27, Wisconsin 10

Badgers quarterback Colton Joseph flexed precision over the first 2.5 quarters against the Irish, before an ill-timed throw to the sideline has sounded the alarms in a hurry on Wisconsin in the third quarter. DJ McKinney's interception return for a touchdown on Wisconsin's first possession of the second half has pushed Notre Dame's lead to 17 points in a hurry — an all-too-familiar feeling for Luke Fickell and the Badgers.

After leading the Big Ten last season in giveaways, two turnovers at Lambeau Field have resulted in 14 points for the Irish, not what you want to do against an elite opponent.

Joseph threw the ball outside of his intended receiver and into the hands of McKinney, a transfer from Colorado.

Early 3Q: Notre Dame 20, Wisconsin 10

Finally, some breathing room for the fourth-ranked Irish.

Notre Dame took its opening series of the second half the distance, capped by a short touchdown run from Aneyas Williams to push his team's lead to two scores. The Irish only faced one third down during the possession and CJ Carr was perfect, completing throws to four different targets.

This is a big spot upcoming for the Badgers, who have been able to withstand several punches Sunday night in Green Bay.

HALF: Notre Dame 13, Wisconsin 10

After one half at Lambeau Field, we know more about the Badgers this season than we do the Irish, a perceived national title contender under Marcus Freeman.

Wisconsin's defensive line has more than held its own against Notre Dame's front and limited the Irish's new-look backfield to just 27 yards on the ground. The Badgers ranked at the bottom of the Big Ten in giveaways and third-down conversion rate last season, but that unit — with Old Dominion transfer Colton Joseph now at quarterback — appears well-aligned and much-improved early.

"We've got to find ways to run the ball, right now we can't run the ball with consistency," Freeman said at halftime. "The penalties. We can't have them."

Joseph was 9-for-17 in the first half for 100 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown strike to Malachi Coleman.

Notre Dame's lone touchdown came on a short field after the Badgers muffed a kickoff in the first quarter. That's the only mistake thus far in an otherwise clean performance from both squads.

Mid 2Q: Notre Dame 13, Wisconsin 10

Following Wisconsin's touchdown to knot the score, Notre Dame's offense responded with its best drive of the contest up to this point, an eight-play, 67-yard march capped by a 26-yard field goal from Porath.

The big play during the possession was Jordan Faison's 30-yard catch and run from Carr, who found his preferred target at the second level and let his wideout do the rest. Faison broke a tackle, cut across the field and moved Notre Dame inside the 15-yard line before the Badgers' defense stiffened.

2Q: Wisconsin 10, Notre Dame 10

Badgers quarterback Colton Joseph connected with Malachi Coleman for a 28-yard touchdown to tie the game in the second quarter, a transfer to transfer hookup inside Lambeau Field that brought the red-clad crowd to its feet.

Coleman hit Notre Dame's secondary with a double move for his first score at Wisconsin following a career that began at Nebraska and included last season at Minnesota. Wisconsin flipped the field on Notre Dame to setup the score after a well-placed punt rolled out at the 1-yard line and quickly led to a three-and-out from the Irish.

The Badgers are a 21.5-point underdog against the Irish, who lost last season's opener and are hoping history doesn't repeat itself in Green Bay.

End 1Q: Notre Dame 10, Wisconsin 3

Courtesy of Kahanu Kia's fumble recovery in kickoff coverage to set Notre Dame up with prime field position, the Irish have taken their first lead against the Badgers. Wisconsin's Harrison Bortolotti muffed the kickoff following a Notre Dame field goal, and after review, officials deemed Kia was inbounds in possession of the football.

The Irish later benefited from an unnecessary roughness penalty on linebacker Mason Posa for dropping Notre Dame running back Nolan James to the turf after the whistle on the same possession to extend the drive. Two plays later, CJ Carr found tight end James Flanigan for a 3-yard touchdown.

Late 1Q: Notre Dame 3, Wisconsin 3

The biggest question on offense for the Irish entering this one was their new-look backfield following the departures of first-round running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. A couple possessions in, Notre Dame appears to be missing that explosive factor.

Facing a 4th-and-inches at his own 43-yard line late in the first quarter, Marcus Freeman rolled the dice on an inside dive to Aneyas Williams to move the chains. Purdue transfer Spencer Porath split the uprights on a 52-yarder to tie the game a few plays later after a third-and-long failed to materialize on a middle screen. 

Porath made seven field goals last season for the Boilermakers and was a perfect 17-for-17 on PATs.

Mid 1Q: Wisconsin 3, Notre Dame 0

Wisconsin's first impact special teams play of the season put the Badgers in business early against Notre Dame. The Irish missed a block after a three-and-out and one of Wisconsin's rushers came off clean to get a piece of the football to put the Badgers in position at Notre Dame's 37-yard line.

Wisconsin moved inside the 10, but the possession stalled there leading to a short field goal from Gavin Lahm.

Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell told the NBC broadcast crew before Sunday's opener the outcome would come down to how his team handled the "first six to eight minutes" of action.

Midway through the first quarter, the Badgers look prepared at the line of scrimmage and are in a physical fight.

Equipped with one of college football's most convincing championship cases, Notre Dame may have its deepest team under Marcus Freeman. 

Returning production is the foundation of that optimism. Fourteen starters are back from a roster already built to handle the physical demands of a College Football Playoff run.

Six return on offense, led by quarterback C.J. Carr, whose continued development could raise the ceiling of an attack featuring experience where it matters. But the clearest reason Notre Dame belongs on the preseason shortlist of national championship contenders is a defense loaded with proven difference-makers.

Eight starters return on that side, including a secondary that should rank among the nation's best. Leonard Moore gives the Irish a lockdown presence on the perimeter as arguably the nation's top cornerback, while Adon Shuler brings range, instincts and toughness at safety. 

Christian Gray adds another experienced cover man capable of turning difficult matchups into weekly frustrations for opposing quarterbacks. This season, he'll be playing nickel.

College football returning production 2026: Returning starters for every FBS team

Cody Nagel

That combination gives Notre Dame flexibility. It can pressure and play aggressively at the line of scrimmage. Depth and continuity should also limit the usual early-season growing pains.

Championship teams need elite quarterback play and a defense that travels. With Carr leading the offense and this veteran secondary setting the tone, Notre Dame has both.

Wisconsin enters this season needing more than competence from Colton Joseph. The Badgers signed their new quarterback to become a stabilizing force for an offense that spent too much of last fall playing behind schedule and giving away possessions.

Joseph arrives from Old Dominion with dual-threat ability. He can create when protection breaks down, not something the Badgers have had in recent years. That mobility should help Wisconsin manufacture answers on third down, an area where it ranked near the bottom of the Big Ten last season. 

His decision-making will matter just as much. Wisconsin finished last in the league in turnover margin, a formula that made sustained success almost impossible.

Joseph's career at Old Dominion

There has to be balance within this offense — enough push in the running game to keep Joseph comfortable and explosiveness through the air to prevent defenses from crowding the box.  

Luke Fickell's tenure may hinge on whether Wisconsin finally finds an offensive identity. Joseph is the centerpiece of that effort, and merely surviving at quarterback isn't enough anymore.

Replacing one first-round running back is difficult enough. Notre Dame is replacing two, a rare challenge for an offense that leaned heavily on its backfield during last season's run.

The Irish may not have another established star ready to inherit the workload, but they believe there is enough talent in the room to survive those departures without dramatically changing their identity. Expect a true committee approach featuring Aneyas Williams, Nolan James and Kedren Young, three backs offering different strengths within an offense that should remain committed to controlling games on the ground.

Williams brings the most experience and has already shown he can contribute as a runner, receiver and pass protector. James provides another versatile option with the burst to generate explosive plays, while Young gives Notre Dame a more physical presence between the tackles. 

There is also considerable excitement surrounding a pair of freshmen who could force their way onto the field earlier than anticipated. Notre Dame's coaching staff has praised the readiness and ability to absorb the offense from Javian Osborne and Jonas Walton, suggesting both players will see action early this fall.

Replacing two NFL-caliber backs will require patience, but the Irish have options. This group lacks a household name entering the season, yet Notre Dame expects depth, fresh legs and competition to eventually produce another productive rushing attack.