Notre Dame Rallies to Rout Wisconsin After Jack Coan Injury

Patrick Gorski/USA TODAY Sports

Despite Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan being forced to exit midgame due to an injury, the Fighting Irish rallied to victory Saturday, tallying a 31-point fourth quarter as they blew past Wisconsin, 41–13. 

As Coan departed in the third quarter, the Fighting Irish's hopes of moving to 4–0 on the season fell in the hands of redshirt freshman quarterback Drew Pyne, a former four-star recruit who saw action in four games last season—completing just two passes for 12 yards. But on Saturday against the Badgers, the young QB threw for 81 yards, completing six of his eight passes. 

Notre Dame's scoring pattern in the fourth quarter featured a 97-yard kickoff return, a 16-yard pass from Pyne to Kevin Austin Jr. and two interception returns.

The victory made Brian Kelly the Fighting Irish's all-time winningest football coach. Additionally, the head coach said after the game that Coan suffered a soft tissue injury and is expected to be available to play next week. 

Coan's injury came when he got rolled up on during a sack, with him eventually heading into the medical tent. When he exited the tent, the quarterback attempted to throw on the sideline but could not complete his normal follow through without showing considerable pain. He eventually left the field for the locker room, later returning to the sideline with his helmet on but did not re-enter the game against his former team.

Coan, who finished with 158 yards on 15-of-29 passing and a touchdown on Saturday, transferred to South Bend in 2020 after four years with the Badgers, including a 12–6 record as a starter in Madison.

After Coan's injury, the Badgers took a 13–10 lead after they were stuffed in the red zone before Notre Dame immediately responded with a 97-yard kickoff return for a score.