BYU defeated No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24 in a significant victory at LaVell Edwards Stadium, according to a report published October 18. The win, which featured a crowd of 65,179, marked the largest attendance at the stadium since Notre Dame's last visit in 2004.
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier contributed significantly to the win, scoring touchdowns through rushing, receiving, and a game-winning touchdown pass to Walker Lyons. The victory came after Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr threw 49 passes, the last of which fell incomplete. Bachmeier, a former Notre Dame recruit in 2023, stated that he was determined not to lose to the program that had previously spurned him and his family.
The Cougars held a 21-10 halftime lead following an overpowering first half. While Notre Dame took a 24-21 lead late in the game, BYU secured the win through defensive stops in the red zone and a first-half fumble by Carr. BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick faced Notre Dame defensive coordinator Chris Ash, who had not run a defense since being hired by Marcus Freeman in February 2025.
BYU displayed efficiency on critical downs, recording 13 attempts compared to 23 attempts by Notre Dame. BYU coach Kalani Sitake noted that despite fan nervousness during Notre Dame's lead, the players maintained belief on the sideline. Safety Raider Damuni remarked that the team used previous disappointments as motivation to earn respect during this matchup.
The matchup featured ESPN’s College GameDay on campus for only the second time. The Cougars' offensive performance included three first-half touchdown marches covering 75, 75, and 72 yards, respectively.
