GREEN BAY — The long-awaited Wisconsin Badgers vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish game finally commenced at Lambeau Field with enough actions to surpass fans’ expectations for the momentous clash.
The ‘Catholics vs. Alcoholics’ game —- as it has been colloquially dubbed by locals as a play on the infamous Notre Dame vs. U-Miami Catholics vs. Convicts matchup in 1988 —- saw several flashes of greatness from both sides, despite the defining 41-13 final score.
Though the Fighting Irish have been in the conversation for a National Championship this season, they were set to face an unranked Badgers team in a game that has been on people’s minds since it was originally scheduled close to a decade ago.
The Badgers and Fighting Irish last faced off in 2021 at Soldier Field in what became Game 1 of the ‘Shamrock Series’ after the 2020 Lambeau Field game was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oddly enough, the Badgers served as the home team for the Soldier Field game while the Fighting Irish hosted at Lambeau Field.
The Sunday night faceoff served as proof not much has changed for these two teams, the final score being the same as their last clash, 41-13.
With expectations for the Badgers’ performance unknown facing high turnover from last season—- 23 new players transferring out or graduating from the program and 34 new additions —- as well as changes in coaching staff, the team seemed to defy the odds by holding Notre Dame to a 3-point lead at the half, exiting the field after the second quarter with a score of 13-10.
The Badgers went up first in the game with Gavin Lahm notching a field goal in the first quarter after a Sebastian Cheeks forced a fumble on a strip-sack, leading to a Liam Danitz blocked punt to put them in position for the first points of the night.
The Fighting Irish answered shortly after with a field goal of their own and Notre Dame Linebacker Kahanu Kia recovering a muffed kickoff return to put them in scoring position.
Local football icon and Fighting Irish Tight End James Flanigan caught a 3-yard pass for the first touchdown of the night.
The Badgers momentum continued when Punter Sean West placed a punt of perfection that rolled out just inside the one-yard line, pinning the Fighting Irish near their own endzone.
Wisconsin took advantage of their opportunity to even up the score when Quarterback Colton Joseph connected with Malachi Coleman for a 28-yard touchdown.
Yet, just before the half, Notre Dame hit a 26-yard field goal to take the lead before the half.
Despite the promise Badgers fans felt as they kicked off for the second half, it was only downhill from there with an underperforming defense and a struggling offense.
The Badgers were outscored 28-3 in the second half as Notre Dame kicked off the third quarter rushing for a touchdown on the opening drive and then taking the score to 27-10 when Notre Dame Cornerback DJ McKinney intercepted Joseph’s lob for a pick-six that seemed to kill off any remaining Badger momentum.
The final quarter saw another two touchdowns from the Fighting Irish, holding off the Badgers from finding the endzone completely for a final score of 41-13.
Notre Dame Tight End James Flanigan secured his first collegiate career touchdown —- something that local fans know means more to him than just the 6-points on the board.
Flanigan grew up going to Lambeau Field to watch the Packers, attending high school just down the road at Notre Dame Academy.
Flanigan’s jump from being a Tight End for the NDA Tritons to taking the field for the Fighting Irish was to be expected when looking at his family history.
Flanigan’s paternal grandfather, Jim Flanigan Sr. was a part of the Packers 1967 Super Bowl II Championship team, while his father, Jim Flanigan Jr., was a defensive tackle at Notre Dame and also had a successful NFL career, playing for the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, among other teams over the course of his ten seasons in the league.
Flanigan was a four-star recruit and the top recruit out of the state of Wisconsin when he made his commitment to Notre Dame.
According to Flanigan, scoring his first career TD at Lambeau Field in his hometown was an unbelievable experience.
“It was awesome. It was a little wierd being here and not being able to go home. Seeing everything you’re so familiar with —- you expect to not know the place you’re playing at. There are three generations of Flanigan’s that have now been on that field and made some plays, and that’s really special,” said Flanigan.
According to Quarterback CJ Carr, Flanigan’s celebration followed tradition as well.
“He did his dad’s touchdown celebration, too, which is a little fist pump, so the boys were pumped about that and it was really cool seeing him have a touchdown.”
Jim Flanigan Jr. was present at the game as Notre Dame alumni, watching his son make history at his alma mater with a celebratory nod to his own career.
“We were watching film this week and our assistant tight ends coach was saying, ‘That’s a lame celebration. Have something planned.’ So I was thinking about it and there’s this highlight clip of my dad doing it, and I’ve seen it before. I used to make fun of him for doing it, but now I guess it’s kind of become my thing,” said Flanigan.
Former Green Bay area players that also made an appearance at Lambeau Field returning to their hometown include West De Pere graduate Wide Receiver Langdon Norgaard and Bay Port graduate Linebacker Landon Gauthier.
Though neither saw any snaps in the game, both made the trip with the team and were present on the sidelines throughout the game.
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