No. 4 Notre Dame defeated Wisconsin 41-13 on Sunday night at Lambeau Field, overcoming a first-half struggle to secure the season opener. The Fighting Irish entered as championship favorites but trailed at halftime before dominating the final two quarters.
Notre Dame held a narrow 13-10 lead at halftime despite significant statistical disadvantages. Wisconsin outgained the Irish 143-135 in total yards in the opening half. The Badgers' defense limited Notre Dame to 1.8 yards per rush and allowed no third-down conversions. Quarterback CJ Carr completed 9-of-16 passes.
Coach Marcus Freeman addressed the team at halftime. "Sometimes you don't believe it till you're in it," Freeman said. "I wanted to remind them that at halftime—don't assume the future's going to go in any direction. Just focus on what you have in the moment."
The second half was a different story. Notre Dame's offense executed touchdown drives on three straight possessions while the defense held Wisconsin to three points. The Irish outscored the Badgers 28-3 after the break.
Cornerback D.J. McKinney returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown midway through the third quarter. Running back Aneyas Williams rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns, with 72 of those yards coming in the second half. Carr threw two touchdown passes, including a 28-yard score to Nolan James Jr.
Williams and James assumed primary ball-carrying duties this season after the departures of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, both selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Freeman praised their response.
"They showed to be the backs that we expected," Freeman said. "I don't expect to replace J-Love and JD with just one guy or two guys. It's going to be a committee. It's going to be keeping guys fresh and continue to let them run and try to wear down the defense."
Carr acknowledged the challenge of maintaining consistency. "Outside of our building, there can be a narrative that college football is easy and we should steamroll teams," Carr said. "So adjusting and staying consistent throughout the game was really helpful for us."
The comeback is significant for Notre Dame, which has lost six of 12 games under Freeman in August or September. Last season, a 0-2 start eliminated the Irish from College Football Playoff contention. Wisconsin, which added 34 transfers, displayed early defensive strength but could not sustain it.
