The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have officially opened their 2026 regular season against the Wisconsin Badgers. Quarterback C.J. Carr and head coach Marcus Freeman lead the No. 4-ranked Fighting Irish against Freeman’s mentor, Luke Fickell, and his Badgers at historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The game is part of Notre Dame’s annual Shamrock Series game, with this being the first time in the program’s history they have played at the venue. Along with Carr, Notre Dame will bring its vaunted defense that includes unanimous All-American cornerback Leonard Moore and 2026 AP preseason All-American linebacker Kyngstonn Vliamu-Asa.
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Another AP preseason All-American defensive star for Notre Dame is third-year safety Brauntae Johnson. During the game against Wisconsin, the Fighting Irish received an unfortunate update on their star defensive back.
In the second quarter, with 6:42 remaining and the Fighting Irish ahead of the Badgers 13-10, Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph completed a pass to wide receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. Notre Dame safety Johnson missed a tackle on the play, landing hard on his chest. Johnson went to the locker room, and by the third quarter, Johnson and his teammate, defensive tackle Jason Onye, both returned to the sideline in walking boots.
On Sunday, during the game, beat writer for the South Bend Tribune Mike Berardino reported on the social media website X that both safety Johnson and defensive tackle Onye were ruled out for the rest of the game, according to Notre Dame PR.
“Brauntae Johnson and Jason Onye ruled out for remainder of the game,” Berardino wrote on X. “Per Notre Dame PR.”
Hometown South Bend fans will watch as Notre Dame hosts the Rice Owls on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 3:30 p.m. ET.
