Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1546494
20 SEPT. 12, 2026 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY JACK SOBLE AND KYLE KELLY I n what was ostensibly a trium- phant moment, Notre Dame de- fensive coordinator Chris Ash wore an expression akin to Nikki from Obsession. Even if you haven't seen the movie, you'll recognize the overextended frown from the avalanche of internet memes since the indie horror film be- came a viral sensation. Ash had that frown on his face as he walked the side- line at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., as fifth-year Colorado transfer cornerback DJ McKinney celebrated his 55-yard pick six. With 8:52 left in the third quarter, McKinney's first signature moment in an Irish uniform gave Notre Dame breathing room versus underdog Wis- consin. The Irish had put a Big Ten op- ponent away with two lightning strikes after halftime. A nine-play, 70-yard touchdown drive redeemed the offense after a miserable first half, and McKin- ney made the splash play the defense had to create. Notre Dame went on to win 41-13, starting the 2026 season 1-0. But when the Irish watch film Monday morning, they will see plenty to work on in the weeks to come. Freeman chalked Notre Dame's "tale of two halves" up to the perils of assump- tion. He felt his players had a precon- ceived notion of what would happen ver- sus Wisconsin, and when things didn't play out as expected, mistakes started NOT A FINISHED PRODUCT Notre Dame has plenty to clean up, but with a near-perfect second half, the Irish blasted the Badgers