Notre Dame beat Wisconsin 41-13 on Sunday night, turning a tight first half into a comfortable win once the second half started. Here’s the final score, a quarter-by-quarter breakdown, and the players who decided the game.
Quick Answer
Notre Dame defeated Wisconsin 41-13 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The Fighting Irish led just 13-10 at halftime, then outscored the Badgers 28-3 after the break. Quarterback CJ Carr threw two touchdown passes, running back Aneyas Williams scored twice, and a Wisconsin turnover was returned for a touchdown to seal the result.
Wisconsin vs Notre Dame Final Score
The final score read Notre Dame 41, Wisconsin 13. The Badgers didn’t go down quietly, though. They battled Notre Dame yardage for yardage in the first half and trailed by just three points at intermission. Wisconsin’s defense kept them in the game, forcing field goals instead of touchdowns.
The game changed in the second half as Notre Dame pulled away with 28 unanswered points in the third and fourth quarters while Wisconsin scored just one field goal. Two Wisconsin turnovers in this span led directly to quick Notre Dame scores.
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
| Notre Dame | 0 | 10 | 0 | 31 | 41 |
| Wisconsin | 3 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 13 |
How the Game Unfolded, Quarter by Quarter
First Half: A Real Fight
Wisconsin came out throwing and made sure that Notre Dame could not establish the run early. The Fighting Irish had just 29 rushing yards in the first half, which put more pressure on the passing game than expected. Notre Dame was able to score a touchdown before halftime, but Wisconsin’s defense made them work for every yard.
Second Half: Notre Dame Pulls Away
Everything has changed after the break. Notre Dame started to run the ball successfully, which created more opportunities for Carr. The running back Aneyas Williams scored two rushing touchdowns, and one turnover led to a defensive score. It was enough for ND to take control over the game, and they managed to do that by the end of the fourth quarter.
Key Players in Wisconsin vs Notre Dame
CJ Carr, Notre Dame Quarterback
Carr struggled to find rhythm early but settled in once his offensive line started opening running lanes. He finished the night with two touchdown passes, including a short scoring toss and a late throw once the outcome was no longer in doubt.
Aneyas Williams, Notre Dame Running Back
Williams was the biggest difference-maker on the ground, scoring twice as Notre Dame’s run game came alive in the second half. His two touchdowns accounted for a big share of the Irish’s second-half scoring burst.
Wisconsin’s Defence
Wisconsin’s defensive front deserves credit for holding Notre Dame to under 30 rushing yards in the first half. That effort kept the Badgers in the game far longer than the final score suggests, even though it wasn’t enough once turnovers started to pile up.
Why Wisconsin Lost After a Strong Start
Turnovers proved to be the difference. Wisconsin played disciplined, physical football for the first half, but two second half giveaways gave Notre Dame short fields and easy points, with one resulting in an immediate touchdown. In a game that was tied after 30 minutes, such mistakes proved too costly.
Where the Game Was Played
This was not exactly an average college football atmosphere. Wisconsin and Notre Dame met at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, site of the home of the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. It was also the first time that it had happened since 2016, as well as the first opportunity for a neutral site meeting between the two programmes that have had outstanding expectations during their seasons.
What This Result Means Going Forward
For Notre Dame, the win is a huge confidence booster, given that they narrowly missed out on the play-off in the previous season. The way they came from behind in the second half and were able to score points consistently is a good sign that they can fight through tough matches. For Wisconsin, their first loss is a major shock, given that they had a solid game in the first half. However, turnovers in the game will need to be addressed in the coming conference matches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Wisconsin vs Notre Dame game?
Notre Dame won, beating Wisconsin 41-13. The Fighting Irish trailed by three points at one stage in the first half before pulling away after the break.
What was the final score of Wisconsin vs Notre Dame?
The final score was Notre Dame 41, Wisconsin 13. Notre Dame outscored Wisconsin 28-3 in the second half alone.
Where was the Wisconsin vs Notre Dame game played?
The game was played at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the first college football game held at the historic NFL stadium since 2016.
Who was the standout player for Notre Dame?
Quarterback CJ Carr threw two touchdown passes and settled the offense once the run game got going, while running back Aneyas Williams scored twice on the ground.
Why did Wisconsin lose despite a strong first half?
Wisconsin kept the score close for 30 minutes but two turnovers in the second half handed Notre Dame easy scoring chances, including a pick-six, and the Badgers never recovered.
Did Notre Dame have any injuries during the game?
Yes. Notre Dame lost safety Brauntae Johnson and defensive lineman Jason Onye to injuries during the win, though the team held on comfortably regardless.
Related Questions
- What is Notre Dame’s record after beating Wisconsin?
- Who is Notre Dame’s head coach, Marcus Freeman?
- Who is Wisconsin’s head coach, Luke Fickell?
- How many transfers did Wisconsin add before this season?
- When was the last college football game played at Lambeau Field before this one?
Final Word
Notre Dame 41, Wisconsin 13 tells only part of the story. For a half, this was a genuine contest between two well-coached teams at a historic NFL venue. It was turnovers, not talent alone, that separated the sides once the third quarter began. Expect both programmes to point to this game as a marker for where they stand this season.
