Five stars from Notre Dame's 41-13 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers

No. 4 Notre Dame struggled in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday night before dominating the second half en route to a 41-13 victory. Early on, it seemed like it might be hard to identify five stars, but as the Fighting Irish found their rhyth

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What is the story about?

No. 4 Notre Dame struggled in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Sunday night before dominating the second half en route to a 41-13 victory.

Early on, it seemed like it might be hard to identify five stars, but as the Fighting Irish found their rhythm, things became much clearer.

5 ⭐️ - Aneyas Williams

Running back Aneyas Williams during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, in South Bend.

Williams spent the past few seasons establishing himself as a reliable backup/third-down back behind the one-two punch of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. He also battled injury.

If there was concern that he could take over for Love and Price, both of whom are now in the NFL, it might have showed in the first half when he had just 18 yards. But he finished with two touchdowns and 90 yards on 20 carries and had a strong

second half. Williams appears ready to be the main running back going forward.

4 ⭐️ - DJ McKinney

McKinney's pick-six early in the second half help kick-start a previously sluggish Irish team -- and provided Notre Dame with a bit of a score cushion against a pesky Badgers team.

3 ⭐️ - Nolan James

Apr 12, 2025; Notre Dame, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Nolan James Jr. (23) runs the ball during the Blue-Gold game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

The backup running back had just 19 yards on seven carries, but his four catches for 67 yards and a touchdown were huge for Notre Dame. One of those catches went for 28 yards.

2 ⭐️ - Defense

Nov 22, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Adon Shuler (8) shakes hands with running back Jeremiyah Love (4) after beating the Syracuse Orange at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

It wasn't perfect -- there were a few too many big plays allowed in the first half -- but the defense mostly got off the field quickly in that half before really dominating in the second half. A pick-six turned the game around and a frisky Wisconsin offense ended up being held to just 13 points.

1 ⭐️ - Jordan Faison

Notre Dame wide receiver Jordan Faison (6) runs the ball down the field for a touchdown during the second half of a NCAA football game against Purdue at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in South Bend.

Faison is one of Notre Dame's most reliable wide receivers, and while he didn't find the end zone, he had a good day with four catches for 81 yards, including a spectacular 30-yard weaving catch-and-run that set up a field goal.

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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Five stars from Notre Dame's 41-13 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers