Quick answer: No. 4 Notre Dame beat Wisconsin 41-13 on Sunday, 6 September 2026, in a season-opening neutral-site clash at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Wisconsin led early behind a tough defence, but Notre Dame’s offence woke up after halftime, with quarterback CJ Carr throwing for 239 yards and two touchdowns and running back Aneyas Williams rushing for two more scores.
Wisconsin vs Notre Dame game was one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. No. 4 Notre Dame beat Wisconsin 41-13 on Sunday, 6 September 2026, in a season-opening neutral-site clash at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Wisconsin led early behind a tough defence, but Notre Dame’s offence woke up after halftime, with quarterback CJ Carr throwing for 239 yards and two touchdowns and running back Aneyas Williams rushing for two more scores.
Final Score: Notre Dame 41, Wisconsin 13
“The Fighting Irish handed the Badgers a lopsided defeat in front of 75,939 fans at Lambeau Field.” It’s a bit of déjà vu for Wisconsin fans too, since Notre Dame won by the exact same 41-13 scoreline the last time these two teams met, back in 2021 at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
This was the first game of the 2026 college football season for both sides, and it was also the first time Wisconsin had played at Lambeau Field since 2016.
Wisconsin vs Notre Dame: How the Game Unfolded
First half: Wisconsin holds its own
Wisconsin came out swinging. The Badgers’ defence, which was one of the best units in the country against the run last year, kept Notre Dame’s high-powered offence in check for long stretches. Wisconsin cashed in on a short field with a 27-yard field goal to open the scoring, and the game stayed tight into the second quarter. For a while, it genuinely looked like Wisconsin, coming off a rough 4-8 season, might have an upset in them against a Notre Dame team ranked No. 4 in the country.
Second half: Notre Dame takes over
The story changed completely after the break. Wisconsin’s defence, which had been so solid early on, started making costly mistakes, and Notre Dame pounced. The Irish averaged a huge 7.4 yards per play after halftime and pulled away in a hurry. Running back Aneyas Williams broke off two long touchdown runs in the fourth quarter, and backup Nolan James Jr. added a 28-yard score late to put the game out of reach. What had been a nervy, back-and-forth contest turned into a comfortable, well-covered win for the favourites.
Key Players
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- CJ Carr (QB): Completed 19 of 29 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns with zero interceptions. Carr, a Heisman Trophy contender heading into the season, didn’t blow the roof off the stadium, but he was efficient and mistake-free, which is exactly what a favourite needs in a season opener.
- Aneyas Williams (RB): Carried the ball 20 times for 90 yards and two touchdowns. His two scores in the fourth quarter were the dagger that turned a close game into a rout.
- Nolan James Jr. (RB): Chipped in a 28-yard rushing touchdown that put the final margin out of reach.
Wisconsin Badgers
- Colton Joseph (QB): The Old Dominion transfer and reigning Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year made his Wisconsin debut. He’s known as a dual-threat quarterback who can extend plays with his legs, and while the final score didn’t go his way, he gave Badgers fans a look at the mobility that made him a prized transfer target.
- Abu Sama III (RB): The Iowa State transfer got early carries as Wisconsin tried to lean on the run early, a nod to the programme’s “Running Back U” history.
- Wisconsin defence: Genuinely the story of the first half. The unit kept a top-five team scoreless for a big chunk of the opening quarter before second-half miscues opened the floodgates.
Key Stats at a Glance
| Stat | Notre Dame | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 41 | 13 |
| Passing leader | CJ Carr – 239 yds, 2 TD | Colton Joseph |
| Rushing leader | Aneyas Williams – 90 yds, 2 TD | Abu Sama III |
| Ranking (preseason) | No. 4 | Unranked |
| Attendance | 75,939 |
What This Result Means
For Notre Dame, this was a statement start to a season with real College Football Playoff and national championship ambitions after being controversially left out of the playoff last year despite a 10-game winning streak. Head coach Marcus Freeman will be pleased his team put a shaky opening quarter behind them and finished with authority.
For Wisconsin, there are genuine positives here. A defence that held a top-four team in check for a half, and a new dual-threat quarterback in Colton Joseph settling in, are things head coach Luke Fickell can build on. The Badgers now turn to their home opener against Western Illinois on 12 September at Camp Randall Stadium, a much more winnable game to build momentum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Wisconsin vs Notre Dame? Notre Dame won 41-13 on 6 September 2026 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Who was the star player in the Wisconsin vs Notre Dame game? Notre Dame running back Aneyas Williams stood out with 90 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback CJ Carr threw for 239 yards and two scores without an interception.
Where was the Wisconsin vs Notre Dame game played? At Lambeau Field, home of the NFL’s Green Bay Packers, marking Wisconsin’s first game there since 2016.
Was this game close? Yes, for a half. Wisconsin’s defence kept it tight through the first two quarters before Notre Dame’s offence dominated the second half.
