(BCSNN) — Notre Dame turned a tense first half into a second‑half showcase on Saturday night, overwhelming Wisconsin 41–13 in the 13th edition of the Shamrock Series at Lambeau Field. Powered by a suffocating defense and a balanced offensive attack, the Irish outscored the Badgers 28–3 after halftime and held Wisconsin to 1.4 yards per rush over the final 30 minutes.

Quarterback CJ Carr delivered a steady, efficient performance, completing 19 of 29 passes for 239 yards while spreading the ball to nine different receivers. Running back Aneyas Williams paced the ground game with 90 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a pair of second‑half scores that helped Notre Dame pull away.

The game opened raggedly for both teams. Notre Dame survived an early scare when Carr was hit from behind and fumbled deep in Irish territory, but Styles Prescod, making his first career start, pounced on the loose ball. A partially blocked punt moments later set up Wisconsin’s first points — a 27‑yard field goal — and the Badgers grabbed a 3–0 lead.

Notre Dame answered with a composed scoring drive capped by Spencer Porath’s 52‑yard field goal, the first attempt and conversion of his Irish career. Special teams swung momentum again minutes later when Wisconsin muffed a kickoff return and Kahanu Kia recovered at the Badgers’ 13‑yard line. One play later, Green Bay native James Flanigan hauled in his first career touchdown on a play‑action pass, giving Notre Dame a 10–3 advantage.

Wisconsin briefly tied the game 10–10 on a 28‑yard hitch‑and‑go touchdown, but Notre Dame regained the lead on Porath’s 26‑yard field goal and carried a 13–10 edge into halftime. The Irish defense, led by linebackers Drayk Bowen (nine tackles) and Jaiden Ausberry (seven), repeatedly forced long‑yardage situations and limited Wisconsin’s explosive plays.

Notre Dame opened the second half with its most complete drive of the night. Carr hit Williams and Nolan James Jr. on check‑downs to move inside the red zone, and Williams punched in a three‑yard touchdown to extend the lead to 20–10. Moments later, the Irish defense delivered a dagger. DJ McKinney, playing his first game for Notre Dame, intercepted an overthrown pass and raced 55 yards down the sideline for a pick‑six — the fifth interception of his career and his second career defensive touchdown.

Wisconsin managed a field goal to cut the deficit to 27–13, but Notre Dame’s offense remained relentless. A 29‑yard catch by Jordan Faison set up a bruising sequence from Williams, who carried five straight times and finished the drive with a one‑yard touchdown for a 34–13 lead.

The Irish defense closed the door from there. Tionne Gray stuffed a run to force second‑and‑long, and the Badgers’ fifth punt of the night followed shortly after. Notre Dame added one final highlight when Carr fired a cross‑field strike to James Jr., who slipped a tackle and sprinted 28 yards for his first career touchdown with 1:51 remaining.

Notre Dame’s defensive front dominated the final quarter, with Tuioti, Wyatt, and Offord combining for pressures and a pass breakup on Wisconsin’s last drive. By then, the Irish had long since taken control — and turned a tight early contest into a decisive Shamrock Series victory.

Notre Dame returns home to face Arkansas on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 8:15 p.m. MT on ESPN.