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 moves the Cougars to a 6-0 record. Sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier led the offense with three touchdowns, including a rushing score, a passing score, and a receiving score on a double pass, making him the first FBS player in 30 years to achieve that feat against an AP Top-5 opponent in a single game.
Bachmeier Leads Offensive Charge
Bachmeier's historic performance was a primary driver in the Cougars' win over the Fighting Irish. The sophomore quarterback completed 23 of 36 passes for 224 yards. His scoring contributions included a designed quarterback run in the first quarter and a 15-yard receiving touchdown in the second quarter on a misdirection play-action pass. He also connected with tight end Walker Lyons for a fourth-quarter touchdown to reclaim the lead late in the game.
A Historic Program Milestone
The victory was particularly significant as Notre Dame represents the highest-ranked opponent BYU has defeated since the Cougars knocked off No. 1 Miami in 1990. The matchup, which featured ESPN's College GameDay and ABC primetime coverage, remained competitive throughout, with both teams posting similar statistics in rushing and passing yardage. BYU's offense totaled 360 yards, while Notre Dame posted 376 total yards, according to Fox Sports.
Defensive Stand Secures Win
The BYU defense provided a critical stop on the final drive to seal the victory. Linebacker Cade Uluave led the team with nine tackles, while safety Raider Damuni recorded seven tackles in his first game back since the season opener against Utah Tech. The secondary limited Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr to a 55% completion rate and prevented the Irish from scoring any passing touchdowns.
Coach Reacts to Victory
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake expressed satisfaction with the team's performance following the win. Sitake noted that his players embraced the spotlight of the primetime game. He also credited Notre Dame for the intensity of the matchup and acknowledged that the team made mistakes, specifically mentioning a risky fake punt call. Sitake noted that the game was tight due to the similar statistical output on both sides of the ball.
First Half Momentum Shifts
The game saw significant action in the first half. BYU took an early 7-0 lead following a 75-yard drive capped by a Bachmeier rushing touchdown. Notre Dame responded with a 46-yard field goal from Spencer Porath to make it 7-3. In the second quarter, Notre Dame's Nolan James Jr. scored on an eight-yard run to give the Irish a 10-7 lead. BYU regained the lead when Bachmeier scored his second touchdown of the half on a rushing play, extending the lead to 21-10 before halftime.
Notre Dame Performance Summary
Notre Dame's offense was led by quarterback CJ Carr, who completed 27 of 49 passes for 261 yards. Running back Nolan James Jr. contributed 77 rushing yards and a touchdown. Receiver Jaden Greathouse recorded eight receptions for 125 yards. Despite the effort, the Irish finished the game with a 24-28 loss, moving their record to 6-1.
Rankings and Outlook
The win elevates BYU to a 6-0 record for the season. In the national rankings, BYU moved up to No. 8, while the University of Utah holds the No. 10 position. The Cougars' next scheduled matchup is against UCF on Oct. 24, 2026.
