No. 12 Notre Dame takes down No. 18 Wisconsin, 41-13, at Soldier Field (2024)

The start of the fourth quarter had momentum fully on Wisconsin’s side.

Even though Saturday’s No. 12 Notre Dame vs. No. 18 Wisconsin game was played at Soldier Field, the stadium still played the Badger staple “Jump Around," riling up the Wisconsin faithful who made the trip to Chicago. Right after, the Badgers took the lead on a 27-yard field goal to take the lead, 13-10.

Notre Dame was also without starting QB Jack Coan, who left due to injury. That put in backup Drew Pyne in.

But then on the very next play after the Badgers field goal, Chris Tyree returned a kickoff 98 yards for the touchdown to make it 17-13 Fighting Irish. Notre Dame never looked back.

Pyne connected with Kevin Austin for a 16-yard touchdown just a few moments later to extend the lead to 24-13. In the final four minutes, Notre Dame added on a field goal and two Pick 6s — one from Jack Kiser and another from Drew White — to win it 41-13.

Coan left the game in the third quarter, but finished 15-for-29 with 158 yards through the air and a touchdown. Pyne went 6-for-8 with 81 yards and a touchdown. The most lethal receiver for the Fighting Irish was Austin with six catches for 76 yards. Two of those catches were touchdowns.

Mertz struggled for Wisconsin, going 18-for-41 for 240 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions.

Here are the complete stats from Saturday's top-25 tilt:

Pick 6 to put a bow on this game for @NDFootball 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/1GrkKZDd4T

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 25, 2021

Another turnover by Graham Mertz. This time, it was an interception to Jack Kiser, who took it all the way back for a touchdown.

Mertz has three interceptions on the day.

Notre Dame leads 34-13.

+3#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/ncmzYjhMWw

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) September 25, 2021

Jonathan Doerer hits another field goal, making it 27-13 Notre Dame with just over three minutes to play in the game.

Another takeaway for the @NDFootball defense 😤 pic.twitter.com/QHVYChABN0

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 25, 2021

Graham Mertz committed his third turnover of the game, throwing an interception to Cam Hart. It was Hart's second steal on the day.

Notre Dame leads, 24-13.

In an attempt to cut into the 24-13 Notre Dame lead, Wisconsin elected to let kick a 52-yard field goal. Collin Larsh missed it just a bit to the left.

Notre Dame keeps its lead at 24-13.

PYNE ➡️ AUSTIN@NDFootball extends their lead over Wisconsin! ☘️🔥 pic.twitter.com/8gRGQQA53A

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 25, 2021

Notre Dame QB Drew Pyne hit receiver Kevin Austin over the middle for a 16-yard touchdown to extend the Fighting Irish lead to 24-13.

Pyne is 6-for-8 with 81 yards and a TD since entering the game for Jack Coan who left with an apparent injury.

☘️ @NDFootball's defense comes up with the big play! pic.twitter.com/0IMBXqHKaM

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 25, 2021

On 3rd and 11 from the Wisconsin 38-yard line, Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz got sacked by Jayson Ademilola, who also forced the QB to fumble. The loose ball was recovered by Isaiah Foskey at the Wisconsin 36.

Notre Dame leads 17-13.

🏡 TYREE TO THE HOUSE @chris_tyree4 takes the kick return 98-yards for the @NDFootball TD! pic.twitter.com/giCC6IwXXf

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 25, 2021

What. A. Run.

On the kickoff after Wisconsin's field goal to make it 13-10, Notre Dame's Chris Tyree returned it 98 yards for the touchdown, swinging momentum back in the Fighting Irish's favor.

Notre Dame leads, 17-13.

LOOK OUT 😤@BadgerFootball forces the fumble thanks to a HUGE hit from @onlyrodas10! pic.twitter.com/vbU24JRin3

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 25, 2021

Wisconsin got its biggest defensive play of the afternoon so far when Rodas Johnson sacked Notre Dame QB Drew Pyne and forced a fumble. Jack Sanborn recovered it at the Notre Dame 39-yard line.

The score remains 10-10.

Jack Coan is leaving the field pic.twitter.com/iaQz6ID6gb

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 25, 2021

Notre Dame QB Jack Coan went to the locker room late in the third quarter after being hit on his last series.

Drew Pyne came in to replace him, going 2-for-4 with 32 yards on his first series.

The score remains 10-10 with 4:36 to play in the third.

TOUCHDOWN, @BadgerFootball 🙌@GrahamMertz5 finds @_KPryor3 for the Badgers' first TD of the game pic.twitter.com/4QjqVs9Kxl

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 25, 2021

Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz connected with receiver Kendric Pryor for an 8-yard touchdown to tie the score, 10-10, with 9:53 left in the third quarter.

It was Mertz's first regular season touchdown pass since Nov. 21, 2020.

We knew it was going to be a tight, low-scoring game and through two quarters, that’s what No. 12 Notre Dame vs. No. 18 Wisconsin has been.

The Fighting Irish lead 10-3, backed by a 36-yard touchdown from Notre Dame QB Jack Coan to receiver Kevin Austin with 4:48 remaining in the second quarter.

Wisconsin opened the scoring with a 37-yard field goal from Collin Larsh less than four minutes into the first quarter. Then after missing his first field goal, Notre Dame kicker Jonathan Doerer nailed one from 51 yards at the 8:44 mark of the second quarter.

Through two quarters, Coan is 14-for-25 with 152 yards and a touchdown. Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz is 5-for-13 with 71 yards, an interception and a fumble.

On the defensive side of things, the Badgers sacked Coan five times in the first half. Notre Dame’s most notable defensive play came when Cam Hart picked off Mertz with 7:06 to play in the second quarter.

Here are the complete stats from the first half:

BIG TIME THROW, BIG TIME CATCH @NDFootball takes the lead in Chicago! pic.twitter.com/CfKM5hoX3S

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 25, 2021

What a throw and what a catch.

Jack Coan let one fly down the sideline to receiver Kevin Austin for a 36-yard score. The touchdown was confirmed after a review.

Notre Dame leads Wisconsin, 10-3, with less than 5 minutes to play in the first half.

PICKED OFF!@NDFootball takes over near midfield 🙌☘️ pic.twitter.com/SXfWmxdXvg

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 25, 2021

On 3rd and 10 from their own 41, Badgers QB Graham Mertz tossed a pass to Kendric Pryor, but Cam Hart intercepted it for the first turnover of the afternoon.

Notre Dame takes over at the Notre Dame 49-yard line.