Notre Dame football secured a commanding 41-13 victory over Wisconsin on September 6, 2024, improving their season‑opener record to 3-2 under head coach Marcus Freeman. The win came after a rocky start that saw the Irish lose two first‑round running backs to the NFL, a setback that forced the offense into an uneven rhythm and limited early‑game effectiveness.
First Half Struggles
In the first half, the Irish offense struggled to find consistency, earning a grade of B as they grappled with the absence of key ball carriers and faced tight coverage from the Badgers' defense. Wisconsin’s Jayden Sanders from Michigan recorded back‑to‑back pass breakups before later allowing a 28‑yard scoring pass, underscoring the challenges the Irish faced early on.
Second Half Surge
After the break, the Irish offense ignited, with transfer Aneyas Williams rushing for two touchdowns and DJ McKinney delivering a 55‑yard pick‑six early in the second half, while the defense tightened its grip. Special teams also made a noticeable impact, as Jasper Scaife’s partially blocked punt and Spencer Porath’s 52‑yard field goal highlighted a B‑ grade, and Jordan Faison’s 70‑yard punt return set up short fields for the Irish.
On defense, Notre Dame posted a B+ grade despite missing starters Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Brauntae Johnson and Jason Onye, a testament to the depth that allowed the unit to stay resilient and limit Wisconsin’s big plays. The performance reflected a collective effort that compensated for the early‑season personnel losses.
Wisconsin’s head coach Luke Fickell, who opened the season with a 9‑1 record and a 4‑0 stretch while serving as defensive coordinator at Cincinnati, watched his team struggle against the Irish’s revamped attack, highlighting the shifting dynamics within the conference.
Looking ahead, the Irish are set for a home opener against Rice on September 12, a matchup that will test whether the early-season adjustments can sustain the momentum built in the Wisconsin game and keep the Irish on track for a strong campaign.