Marcus Freeman’s main takeaway after Notre Dame’s 41-13 win over Wisconsin was simple: the second half turned when the Irish stopped worrying about how the game was supposed to look. “Let go of what you thought this game was going to be like and focus on the moment,” Freeman said, pointing to cleaner execution, better run-game adjustments, and fewer self-inflicted mistakes after a sloppy first half. He also called CJ Carr “excellent,” citing the quarterback’s checks at the line and command of the offense beyond the box score.
Freeman said Notre Dame’s coaches adjusted the run game at halftime, the backs hit their aiming points better, and the offense responded with touchdowns on its first three second-half drives. He also said DJ McKinney’s pick-six was a major swing, pushing the lead from 20-10 to 27-10. On the bigger picture, Freeman said he believed before kickoff that this was “an elevated football team” based on offseason data and preparation, not just the result. As for injuries, he had no update on Jason Onye or Brauntae Johnson after both left in walking boots.
- Freeman on the second-half offense: “Three drives, three touchdowns. It’s pretty good. Pretty efficient.”
- Carr said he felt the offense settle in late in the first half: “Yeah, we’re going to be just fine.”
- Freeman praised Carr’s non-obvious work, saying a 3-yard gain might have been a loss without the right check.
- Adon Shuler called McKinney’s pick-six “contagious” for the defense and said the message at halftime was to play “one play, one life.”
- James Flanigan said Notre Dame “just beat Notre Dame” in the first half, then cleaned it up and got rolling after halftime.
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