No. 8 BYU defeated No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24 on Saturday night, Oct. 17, 2026, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in a historic victory that marked the Cougars' highest-ranked win since 1990. In a game featuring a primetime ABC broadcast and ESPN's College GameDay, BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier led a late rally to overcome the Fighting Irish and secure the win in front of a sold-out crowd.
Bachmeier Leads Historic Performance
The victory, which BYU officials described as one of the greatest in program history, saw the No. 8 Cougars overcome the second-ranked Fighting Irish in a matchup that remained competitive until the final play. According to BYU, the win represents the highest-ranked opponent the Cougars have defeated since knocking off No. 1 Miami in 1990.
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier delivered a historic performance, becoming the first FBS player in the last 30 years to record a rushing touchdown, a passing touchdown, and a receiving touchdown against an AP Top-5 team in a single game. Bachmeier's individual scoring included a designed quarterback run in the first quarter and a 15-yard receiving touchdown on a misdirection play in the second quarter. He also threw a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to tight end Walker Lyons to reclaim the lead.
Momentum Swings and Ejections
The game was marked by significant momentum shifts and a controversial ejection early in the contest. During BYU's opening drive, Notre Dame defensive lineman Boubacar Traore was ejected from the game following a roughing the passer penalty that included targeting. After a review, the call was upheld, leaving the Irish defense without Traore for the remainder of the match.
Notre Dame attempted to mount a comeback in the second half, eventually taking a 24-21 lead with 9:31 remaining in the game. However, the Irish's attempt to extend that lead ended when time expired on a pass in the end zone intended for Jaden Greathouse, which fell incomplete at the BYU seven-yard line.
Cougar Defense Holds Firm
BYU's offense relied on a balanced attack, with running back Preston Rex contributing 66 rushing yards and Bachmeier adding 45 yards on the ground. The passing game saw Kyler Kasper and Legend Glasker each totaling 66 yards. Walker Lyons also played a pivotal role, catching five passes for 49 yards, including the decisive go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
On the defensive side, BYU was anchored by linebacker Cade Uluave, who led the team with nine tackles. Safety Raider Damuni recorded seven tackles in his first game back since the season opener against Utah Tech. The BYU secondary held Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr to a 55% completion rate and prevented any passing touchdowns.
Notre Dame Offensive Struggles
The Irish offense was led by quarterback CJ Carr, who completed 27 of 49 passes for 261 yards. Jaden Greathouse was Carr's primary target, recording eight receptions for 125 yards. Notre Dame's rushing attack featured Nolan James Jr., who scored a touchdown in the second quarter following a 26-yard run in the first quarter.
Notre Dame's defense also saw significant contributions, with Luke Talich and Drayk Bowen recording eight tackles each. Despite the defensive effort, the Irish were unable to secure the win following a late fumble during a drive attempt that ended with Notre Dame at the BYU seven-yard line.
Coach Reflects on Victory
Following the game, BYU head coach Kalani Sitake expressed satisfaction with the win but noted the risks taken during the contest. Sitake credited Notre Dame for the intense matchup and admitted to being overly aggressive with certain play calls, specifically mentioning a failed fake punt attempt.
"I think our guys embraced the opportunity," Sitake said. "We made some mistakes, but that was probably more on me than anything else. I probably got a little too risky and aggressive... I'm glad it worked out in our favor. Notre Dame is a great team, and they got the most out of us."
Final Result and Standings
The match concluded with a dramatic final drive by Notre Dame. After a 15-play drive, the Irish reached the BYU seven-yard line, but a pass intended for Greathouse fell incomplete as time expired. The victory moves BYU to 6-0 on the season, while Notre Dame falls to 6-1.
