BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier delivered a four-touchdown performance to lead the Cougars to a 28-24 victory over No. 2 Notre Dame on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. The win at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo served as a significant achievement for the sophomore quarterback, who noted the win provided vindication following his previous recruiting experiences.
Bachmeier achieved a variety of scoring plays during the game, including two rushing touchdowns of 5 and 1 yards, a 15-yard touchdown reception on a trick play screen pass, and a six-yard passing touchdown. The passing touchdown to Walker Lyons on third-and-goal with 1:47 remaining in the game secured the lead for BYU after a 10-play, 55-yard drive. This drive helped BYU avoid losing the game after holding a double-digit lead in the second half.
BYU coach Kalani Sitake credited Bachmeier's toughness and resilience for his performance in clutch moments. Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman stated that Bachmeier is a player who can be hit but not broken, noting the ball will be in his hands during crucial moments. Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen observed that Bachmeier's ability to identify coverage and utilize the run game kept the Irish off balance.
The victory came despite national analysts questioning if BYU could move the ball effectively against the Notre Dame secondary without starting running back LJ Martin. Bachmeier, who wears number 47, stated that while he enjoys running, he also aims to act as a distributor to involve multiple players. During the first half, Bachmeier completed 13 of 18 passes and distributed scores to six different receivers.
Following the game, Bachmeier expressed that his team was tired of being disrespected. He noted that the squad played aggressively to avoid losing, stating they put their balls on the chopping block to ensure a victory.
