Brian E. Preece recounted his experience attending the BYU versus Notre Dame football game as a fan in a report published October 20, 2026. The victory against Notre Dame has catapulted the Cougars to No. 2 in the AP poll.
The atmosphere surrounding the game included festivities such as ESPN College GameDay. During the broadcast, BYU student Carter Smith performed a 33-yard kick in a Spider Man outfit to win $3 million. Football Hall of Famer and BYU legend Steve Young appeared with Pat McAfee to predict a BYU upset over the Fighting Irish.
Fans gathered for various activities near the stadium, including a Cougar Club tent and a walkway on Canyon Road. The walkway featured food trucks, tents, and performances by the band The Blood Hounds. Attendees also participated in activities such as miniature golf, bouncy slides, and games like Connect 4.
The game production included a marching band, fireworks, a flyover, and fire dancers between the third and fourth quarters. Preece noted the high production values of the 2026 games, observing that activities occurred between every play and timeout. The victory marks a significant mid-season milestone for the Cougars.
Preece, an independent contractor for the Daily Herald, noted the difficulty of securing seats for the Notre Dame game. He compared the intensity of this matchup to the 1990 game where BYU defeated the No. 1 ranked Miami Hurricanes.
