GREEN BAY, WI (9-6-26) — Notre Dame came to Lambeau Field looking to begin another run toward college football’s biggest stage. The Fighting Irish left Green Bay with a convincing 41-13 victory over Wisconsin — and another reminder that the quarterback leading Notre Dame carries some of the deepest Michigan football roots imaginable.

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr (#13) completed 19-of-29 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception as the No. 4 Fighting Irish pulled away from the Badgers with a dominant second half.

For Michigan football followers, Carr’s success in an Irish uniform makes for a fascinating storyline.

Carr grew up in Saline, Michigan, just outside Ann Arbor, and played at Saline High School. His grandfather is legendary University of Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr, who coached the Wolverines from 1995 through 2007 and led Michigan to the 1997 national championship.

But the maize-and-blue connections don’t stop there.

Carr’s maternal grandfather, Tom Curtis, was an All-American defensive back at Michigan and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. His father, Jason Carr, was a quarterback at Michigan during the 1990s.

And now there is another Carr in Ann Arbor.

CJ’s younger brother, Tommy Carr, is a freshman quarterback at Michigan, giving the family the unusual distinction of having one grandson of Lloyd Carr quarterbacking Notre Dame while another is wearing the maize and blue.

CJ, however, looked very much at home wearing Notre Dame gold Saturday night.

The Irish didn’t immediately overwhelm Wisconsin. Notre Dame held only a 13-10 halftime advantage as the Badgers stayed within striking distance.

Then the Irish took control.

Running back Aneyas Williams (#22) finished with 90 yards on 20 carries and scored twice, including a third-quarter touchdown that helped Notre Dame begin separating itself from Wisconsin.

The Irish defense delivered perhaps the decisive blow when DJ McKinney intercepted Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph (#1) and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown.

Suddenly, what had been a three-point halftime game was becoming a Notre Dame runaway.

Notre Dame outscored Wisconsin 28-3 in the second half.

Carr eventually put the finishing touches on the victory by connecting with Nolan James Jr. for a 28-yard fourth-quarter touchdown.

Nine different Notre Dame receivers caught passes from Carr. Jordan Faison (#6) led the Irish with four receptions for 81 yards, while James caught four passes for 67 yards and a touchdown.

Notre Dame finished with 350 total yards and did not turn the ball over, while Wisconsin committed two turnovers.

Wisconsin quarterback Joseph completed 19-of-30 passes for 217 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Malachi Coleman (#4) caught four passes for 76 yards, including Wisconsin’s lone touchdown.

But the story from Lambeau ultimately belonged to Notre Dame — and to a quarterback whose football story began in Michigan.

There is a certain irony to Carr’s path.

A grandson of one of Michigan’s most celebrated coaches could have been expected to continue the family tradition in Ann Arbor. Instead, CJ Carr chose Notre Dame and is now leading one of Michigan’s historic rivals.

And while his younger brother waits for his opportunity at Michigan, CJ is building a legacy of his own in South Bend.

Saturday night at Lambeau Field provided another chapter.

Notre Dame is 1-0.

Carr has 239 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions to begin his 2026 season.

And the quarterback trying to lead the Fighting Irish toward a national championship just happens to come from one of the most recognizable Michigan football families in the state.