Notre Dame kicked off their season opener against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field on Sunday, September 6, 2026, and the biggest takeaway? Sluggishness was riding shotgun with the team. An opener, especially one at a historic venue like Lambeau, usually sparks a team to life, but early signs pointed to a struggle for coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish. This isn’t the kind of energy you want to see out of the gate when every game matters.
Individual Moments Couldn’t Shake the Fog
Despite the overall slow start, there were flashes of individual effort that kept things interesting. Linebacker Kahanu Kia delivered a moment of pure hustle, gaining possession after a botched Wisconsin return. You love to see that kind of heads-up play, but it also highlights a potential issue when you are relying on an opponent’s mistake. Safety Adon Shuler showed up on defense too, making a solid tackle on Wisconsin wide receiver Eugene Hilton Jr. Meanwhile, on offense, wide receiver Jordan Faison got busy, rushing the ball and later celebrating a first down, showing some individual spark. Tight end James Flanigan even found the end zone for a touchdown, bringing a much-needed celebration. These are the plays you want to build on, but were they enough to overcome the team’s general sluggishness? Leonard Moore, the cornerback, also laid down a tackle on Wisconsin running back Abu Sama, and running back Aneyas Williams got his own rush attempt in. Kicker Spencer Porath even prepared for a field goal, suggesting some opportunities were created. These individual efforts are crucial, but the collective feel of the game, according to early reports, was just *off*.
What This Sluggishness Means for Marcus Freeman
This kind of sluggishness in an opener puts immediate pressure on Head Coach Marcus Freeman. He was there, preparing with his team and watching from the sidelines, as the team started their 2026 campaign. An early season game sets the tone, and while individual plays like Madden Faraimo hyping up the crowd show effort and spirit, the underlying “sluggishness” is a huge concern. It’s early, yes, but every coach wants to see their squad hit the ground running, especially in their first real test. For Freeman, it means addressing whatever held his team back from finding their rhythm at Lambeau. You can’t let that kind of performance become a trend.
The Fighting Irish now need to shake off this opening day sluggishness, and fast. What’s at stake is their entire early season narrative. Fans will be watching intently to see if this was just a first-game wobble, or if there’s a deeper issue that needs correcting. The next time they step on the field, they need to show the kind of explosive, high-energy football we all know they’re capable of delivering. No more riding shotgun with sluggishness, it’s time for the pedal to the metal.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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