No. 4 Notre Dame defeated Wisconsin 41-13 in their season opener at Lambeau Field on Monday, Sept. 7, according to multiple reports. The Fighting Irish pulled away in the second half after a closer first half, per 247sports.com.
Quarterback CJ Carr helped lead Notre Dame to the win, according to ESPN. The game was played at the Green Bay Packers' home stadium, a neutral-site matchup that drew significant attention as a marquee opening-week contest.
Notre Dame's offense found its rhythm after halftime, with 247sports.com noting the Irish dominated the final two quarters. The Badgers kept things competitive early, but the Fighting Irish's second-half surge proved decisive, according to One Foot Down, which reported that Wisconsin gave Notre Dame all it could handle before the Irish broke the game open.
The win gives Notre Dame an early-season statement victory over a Big Ten opponent. Wisconsin, meanwhile, will look to regroup after a tough opening loss on a big stage. The game was part of the 2026 college football season's opening weekend, with both teams entering with high expectations.
Notre Dame's balanced attack and defensive stops in the second half were key factors in the final margin, according to Yahoo Sports' takeaways from the Fighting Irish offense. The Irish showed resilience in a hostile environment, responding after Wisconsin matched them early.
Next up, Notre Dame will aim to build on this momentum as they continue their non-conference schedule, while Wisconsin will seek its first win of the season in Week 2. Both teams will be watching film to correct mistakes before their next matchups.
