CHICAGO, IL (WSAU) — No Badger fans, it wasn’t a bad dream.
After briefly taking a 13-10 lead at the start of the 4th quarter the Notre Dame Fighting Irish ripped off 31 unanswered points including a kickoff and two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in a 41-13 non-conference win over Wisconsin on Saturday.
The Badger offense sputtered for most of the game, with QB Graham Mertz finishing just 18/41 for 240 yards and one TD, a 3rd quarter strike to Kendric Pryor that capped off a short four-play, 56-yard drive. That briefly tied the game at 10 before a Collin Larsh FG gave the Badgers the lead at 13-10.
The TD to Pryor was Mertz’s first scoring pass of the season, but it did little to offset four interceptions in the game. That included two passes that were picked off and returned for touchdowns in the game’s final four minutes.
Chez Mellusi led the rushing attack with 54 yards. Jalen Berger recorded just eight yards.
Former Badger QB Jack Coan recorded a first-half TD pass before leaving the game in the second half with an injury. Freshmen Drew Pyne was effective in relief, recording one touchdown pass in the 4th.
The Badgers were the home team for Saturday’s game, which was part of a two-game contract between the schools. The first was supposed to be played in Green Bay during the 2020 season but that was canceled due to COVID-19. The teams will make up that leg on September 5th, 2026 at Lambeau Field, with Notre Dame serving as the home side.
The Badgers return to B1G play next week hosting Michigan. FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff will once again be in Madison for that game, with kickoff set for 11 AM. Badgers pregame coverage will begin at 9 on WSAU.
Saturday’s game will also include a celebration of former Wisconsin coach and AD Barry Alvarez.
