The Wisconsin Badgers opened their 2026 campaign at Lambeau Field, only to see the No. 4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish pull away with a 41‑24 victory that underscored the team's ongoing transition.
First Half Dominance
Wisconsin's defense came out firing, limiting Notre Dame to just 29 rushing yards in the opening half while the interior line and linebackers applied relentless pressure.
The early onslaught was capped by a 28‑yard touchdown reception from transfer wide receiver Malachi Coleman, whose quickness off the break immediately made him a focal point of the Badgers' offense.
Second Half Stumbles
The tide turned in the second half as Notre Dame exploited softer coverage, scoring three touchdowns and pushing the Badgers' defense beyond its limits.
Wisconsin's pass rush faltered, allowing the Irish to settle into a rhythm that featured quick intermediate routes and checkdowns, a strategy that contrasted sharply with the Badgers' pass‑first mentality.
Transfer quarterback Colton Joseph, who ran for 10 yards, struggled with decision‑making, throwing a costly pick‑six and delivering inconsistent throws that hampered the offense.
Running back Abu Sama added 49 yards on the ground but had trouble with vertical cutting and read‑and‑react decisions, highlighting the growing pains of the new backfield.
Head coach Luke Fickell acknowledged the second‑half performance as the decisive factor, stressing the need for defensive adjustments and a more aggressive pass rush to close the gaps exposed by Notre Dame.
With 17 new starters, including reinforced offensive line play and contributions from defenders Matt Jung and Bryce West, Wisconsin faces a steep learning curve as it works to stabilize the unit before the 2026 season unfolds.