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Irish pull away, take down Badgers at Lambeau
Confirmed
In Short: Notre Dame secured a 41-13 victory over Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, showcasing a dominant second-half performance.
Sunday night's game at Lambeau Field saw Notre Dame take down Wisconsin, 41-13, in a thrilling contest that highlighted the Fighting Irish's strong second-half showing. Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr threw two touchdown passes, while Aneyas Williams added two rushing touchdowns, propelling the Irish to a decisive win. The Badgers, who started the game strong, struggled to maintain their momentum, particularly in the second half, as they were outscored 28-3.
Notre Dame's first half was marked by a tied score at 10-10, with key plays including a 28-yard touchdown pass from Carr to Malachi Coleman. However, the Irish's offensive surge in the second half was unstoppable, with Williams and Carr leading the charge. Wisconsin's new starting quarterback, Colton Joseph, managed to tie the game at 10 early in the second quarter but could not sustain the pressure against the Fighting Irish's formidable defense.
Fans from both sides filled Lambeau Field, with Rich Albright, a Notre Dame fan from South Bend, IN, and Mike Przybylski, a Wisconsin fan from Illinois, both expressing excitement about the historic game. Albright noted the special atmosphere, while Przybylski highlighted the rivalry, stating, 'I think it'll probably be about 60-40 Irish. It's a home game for us anyway, but I think a lot of people made the trip for sure.
The game marked the first time Lambeau Field hosted college football in a decade, making the occasion even more memorable. Notre Dame's victory not only secured their place in the win column but also showcased their potential as a top-tier team in the upcoming season.
What's confirmed
- The Badgers had an iconic backdrop to kick off their 2026 season.
- Notre Dame scored on back to back drives in the 2nd half, sandwiched around a pick-6 to pull away from the Badgers for the win.
- But the Irish tied the game at 3 and then on the following kickoff, Wisconsin return man Harrison Bortolotti had the kick bounce off his chest with Notre Dame pouncing on the muff.
- Joseph then delivered an interception to DJ McKinney who returned it 55 yards for another Fighting Irish score.
- "It's going to be epic in there tonight. Being able to have a premier team like Notre Dame come in, and you know, Wisconsin's premier. It's always fun to watch a game in Camp Randall. We have season tickets there too. So, you know, you can't compare it, but being able to watch a game in Lambeau is going to be amazing tonight," said Mike Przybylski, a Wisconsin fan from Illinois.
What's still developing
- Right tackle Kevin Heywood is set to start for the Badgers after missing much of training camp with an injury.
- But this year’s Badgers are quite different, as the program added over 30 transfers in the offseason, while making a few organizational changes with the coaching staff and front office.
- Wisconsin’s offense will be at the forefront of the conversation, as the Badgers are now led by Old Dominion transfer quarterback Colton Joseph, who threw for 2,624 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 10 touchdowns last year as the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year.
- Irish pull away, take down Badgers at Lambeau | ESPN La Crosse 105.5 You are using an outdated browser.
- Everyone outside the stadium agrees that watching the game at Lambeau Field will be special.
- Where they disagree is which school's fan base will take over once the ball is kicked off.
- Carr found James Flanigan for a 3-yard touchdown with 22 seconds left in the quarter.
- The fourth-ranked Irish carried a 13-10 lead into the break.