No. 8 BYU defeated No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24 in a historic matchup at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, marking the highest-ranked opponent the Cougars have defeated since 1990. Sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier led the offense with four total touchdowns, including a game-winning touchdown pass to tight end Walker Lyons with 1:51 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Bachmeier's Historic Performance
Bachmeier delivered a standout performance, becoming the first FBS player in 30 years to record a rushing, passing, and receiving touchdown in a single game against an AP Top-5 opponent. The sophomore completed 23 of 36 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown, while rushing for 45 yards and two touchdowns. His receiving touchdown came on a double pass in the second quarter, the first of his collegiate career, following a block from center Bruce Mitchell.
Special Teams and Momentum Shifts
The game featured significant momentum shifts driven by special teams errors and defensive stands. In the first half, Notre Dame's quarterback CJ Carr attempted to spike the ball to set up a field goal, but he lost control of the ball, allowing BYU to recover the fumble inside the 5-yard line. Later in the second quarter, BYU attempted a fake punt while leading 21-13, but the play failed, allowing Notre Dame to take a 24-21 lead in the fourth quarter. Additionally, BYU returner Cannon DeVries muffed a punt, which was recovered by Notre Dame's Bubba Frazier at the BYU 41-yard line.
Defensive Stand Secures Victory
The BYU defense proved critical in securing the win, particularly during Notre Dame's final drive. The Irish reached the BYU 7-yard line, but the Cougar defense prevented a score, ending the game when a pass intended for Jaden Greathouse fell incomplete. Linebacker Cade Uluave led the team with nine tackles, while safety Raider Damuni contributed seven tackles in his first game back since the season opener against Utah Tech. The secondary limited Carr to a 55 percent completion rate and prevented any passing touchdowns.
Coaching Reflections
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake acknowledged the team's errors following the victory, specifically noting the failed fake punt attempt. "I probably got a little too risky and aggressive, but we'll be alright," Sitake said. "The fake punt was on me. I thought we had a good call there, but Notre Dame had a better one." Despite the mistakes, Sitake expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the team during such a significant national moment.
Offensive Strategy and Execution
Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick received praise for his game planning, which utilized various formations to keep the Notre Dame defense off-balance. The Cougars scored touchdowns on all four of their first-half drives. One such drive was an 11-play, 75-yard effort that took nearly six minutes, culminating in a touchdown pass to Lyons. The offense also utilized a jumbo package with nine offensive linemen during the game-winning drive.
National Impact and Rankings
The victory has significant implications for BYU's national standing. Following the win, the AP poll placed BYU at No. 2, trailing only unbeaten Miami. The game was part of a high-profile broadcast on ABC's primetime, following an early morning segment by ESPN's College GameDay featuring former BYU quarterback Steve Young. The match was also notable for its high economic impact, with Vivid seats reporting an average ticket cost of $663, the highest in the country.
Notre Dame Performance Review
Notre Dame's performance included a touchdown run by running back Jonaz Walton in the fourth quarter and a 46-yard field goal by Spencer Porath. The Irish defense, which included players like Boubacar Traore, Luke Talich, and Drayk Bowen, held the Cougars to seven points in the second half. However, Traore was ejected from the game during the first possession following a review of a targeting penalty on a roughing the passer call.
