The Notre Dame football team entered the contest against No. 5 Wisconsin looking to reassert its identity, but a sluggish opening half saw the Irish fall behind 13‑10.
A Slow Start
Poor execution on running, offense, defense and special teams left the Irish trailing at halftime, a situation many feared could derail a season that promised to be special.
Head coach Marcus Freeman gathered the squad at halftime, urging them to stop obsessing over the scoreboard and instead play the way Notre Dame is built—strong, smart and patient.
A Resurgent Second Half
Coming out of the locker room, the Irish exploded for 28 points while limiting Wisconsin to 13, turning a 13‑10 deficit into a commanding 41‑13 victory.
Key contributors included a defensive interception by DJ McKinney that halted a Wisconsin drive, a powerful running attack that gave the offense rhythm, and sophomore tight end James Flanigan, who scored his first career touchdown on his first career catch.
The comeback marked a turning point for the program, restoring momentum and confidence after a shaky start and reinforcing the team’s identity as Notre Dame football.
Celebration continued on the field as players performed the iconic Lambeau Leap, with quarterback Bryce Young joining captains Drayk Bowen and Adon Shuler in leaping into the crowd, underscoring the spirit that fueled the comeback.