Notre Dame Dominates Second Half
No. 4 Notre Dame Overcomes Wisconsin and Injuries in 41-13 Season Opener Win
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Key Points
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Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa was considered a projected first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft and had been rated by Pro Football Focus as the nation’s best returning linebacker. He recorded 48 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass deflections, a fumble recovery and an interception in 11 games last season.
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Notre Dame linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary had recently praised Viliamu-Asa’s recovery, saying, “They joke and say he's got mutant healing powers because he's probably a good six weeks ahead of schedule,” while emphasizing that the team still needed to be cautious with his return.
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Brauntae Johnson’s injury came after he missed a tackle on a 20-yard reception by Wisconsin wide receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. on third-and-5 and landed hard on his chest. Luke Talich replaced him on the next series, while Elijah Hughes entered for Jason Onye; Notre Dame still held a 13-10 lead at halftime.
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Wisconsin’s collapse was set off by two consecutive sequences: Notre Dame’s opening second-half touchdown drive, which was aided by several missed Badgers tackles, followed by a pick-six stemming from quarterback Colton Joseph’s miscommunication. Those plays transformed a competitive game into a one-sided finish.
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Notre Dame’s defensive success included the challenge posed by cornerback Leonard Moore, whom Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell had specifically said the Badgers could not afford to avoid targeting.
No. 4 Notre Dame dominated Wisconsin 41-13 at Lambeau Field to open the 2026 season, improving to 13-0 in Shamrock Series games. The Fighting Irish pulled away decisively in the second half after an offensive line adjustment, outscoring the Badgers 28-3 after halftime while Wisconsin's momentum collapsed following a pick-six on the opening drive of the third quarter.
Notre Dame's defensive depth was tested early when starting safety Brauntae Johnson and defensive tackle Jason Onye suffered injuries in the first half ESPN, yet backup linebacker Drayk Bowen, safety Luke Talich, and defensive back Elijah Hughes stepped in effectively. The Irish controlled the final 30 minutes without key starters, demonstrating roster strength heading into tougher matchups.
Viliamu-Asa Sidelined But Healing Faster Than Expected
Projected first-round NFL pick Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa missed the Wisconsin game while recovering from reconstructive ACL surgery on his left knee—his second ACL tear. The elite linebacker, who Pro Football Focus rated as the nation's best returning defender, recorded 48 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss last season across 11 games. Notre Dame linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary said Viliamu-Asa is "probably a good six weeks ahead of schedule" in his recovery, though the team remains cautious about his return timeline UHND.
Brauntae Johnson and Jason Onye Out Multiple Weeks
Safety Brauntae Johnson and defensive tackle Jason Onye suffered injuries during the first half and are expected to miss several weeks, potentially returning for Notre Dame's home opener against Rice ESPN. Johnson was hurt after missing a tackle on a 20-yard Wisconsin reception and landing hard on his chest. Onye sustained a left ankle injury that forced him to miss the entire second half. 247Sports reported Onye will sit out multiple weeks due to the ankle injury.
Second-Half Adjustments Broke Open a Tight Game
Wisconsin led 13-10 at halftime before Notre Dame's offensive line adjustment sparked a dominant second half. The Irish opened the third quarter with a touchdown drive, then forced a pick-six on quarterback Colton Joseph's miscommunication with his receiver. UHND noted that Anthonie Knapp and Ashton Craig stood out on Notre Dame's offensive line in turning the tide against Wisconsin's defense, helping the Irish outscore the Badgers 28-3 after the break.
Notre Dame's defense limited Wisconsin to three points in the final two quarters despite missing Viliamu-Asa and losing Johnson and Onye mid-game. Backup Luke Talich and Elijah Hughes filled defensive gaps while the Irish's pass rush and tackling improved markedly. Wisconsin's execution unraveled—the Badgers missed multiple tackles on the opening second-half touchdown drive and never recovered momentum.
Notre Dame's Depth Tested Before Championship Run
The lopsided victory strengthens Notre Dame's national championship bid, but the injury losses to three rotation players signal the importance of managing player health carefully. Linebacker Drayk Bowen, Jaiden Ausberry, and Jaylen Sneed rotated into Viliamu-Asa's spot and performed adequately. Johnson and Onye's absences create roster vulnerability as the Irish prepare for an October trip to BYU and continued schedule challenges. Effective depth proved decisive against Wisconsin, but tougher opponents may expose gaps if key players don't return soon.
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