BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier recorded a touchdown through passing, rushing, and receiving on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, to lead the No. 8 Cougars to a 28-24 victory over No. 2 Notre Dame at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The win, which propelled BYU to No. 2 in the national rankings, marked the first time the Cougars defeated the Irish since 2004.
Bachmeier's Historic Performance
Bachmeier's historic performance made him the first BYU quarterback to record a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown in a single game since Steve Young achieved the feat in the 1983 Holiday Bowl, according to BYU Athletics. The sophomore quarterback completed 23 of 36 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown, ran for 45 yards and two touchdowns, and caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Kasper with 1:53 remaining in the fourth quarter.
National Validation for BYU
The victory was part of a chaotic weekend in college football where five of the top seven AP-ranked teams suffered losses. While BYU improved to 6-0 on the season, the victory provided significant national validation for a program that players and coaches said has faced a lack of respect.
"We are tired of being disrespected," Bachmeier said following the game. Linebacker Cade Uluave added that the win over the No. 2 team in the nation would help "put some respect on our name."
Game Highlights and Scoring
The game began with a controversial play when Notre Dame defensive end Boubacar Traore was ejected for a targeting foul after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Bachmeier. The penalty allowed BYU to move 15 yards, and Bachmeier subsequently ran for a 5-yard touchdown to open the scoring.
BYU's offense totaled 360 yards against a Notre Dame defense that had previously held opponents to an average of 214 yards per game. Despite a late surge by Notre Dame, including a touchdown run and two-point conversion by Jonaz Walton, the Cougars maintained their lead through the final minutes.
Coaching Decisions
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, who has often been noted for adopting the style of his former mentor LaVell Edwards, addressed a failed fake punt attempt in the third quarter. Sitake took full responsibility for the decision, stating that the attempt to run a fake from his own 28-yard line was too risky.
"I probably got a little too risky and aggressive," Sitake said during his postgame press conference. He noted that while the team made mistakes, he intended to learn from the lessons provided by the game.
Accolades and Outlook
Following the victory, the Associated Press named Bachmeier the National Player of the Week. He was also named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week and a Davey O'Brien Great 8 selection.
Bachmeier enters the next phase of the season with 1,257 passing yards and nine touchdowns through six games. BYU is scheduled to travel to Orlando to face UCF on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
Historical Context
The win against Notre Dame marks BYU's third victory over the Irish, with previous wins occurring in 1994 and 2004. The Cougars now hold an undefeated 6-0 record for the 2026 season.
