No. 8 BYU secured a monumental 28-24 victory over No. 2 Notre Dame on Oct. 17, 2026, at LaVell Edwards Stadium, a win underscored by a significant officiating error. The Big 12 Conference later admitted that one second should have remained on the clock during the final play, which would have granted the Fighting Irish an additional opportunity to score.
Bachmeier Leads Cougars to Victory
The victory, which saw BYU fans rush the field at the conclusion of the game, provided significant national validation for a program seeking recognition. BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier led the Cougars with a versatile performance, including two rushing touchdowns, one reception, and a game-winning touchdown pass. During a postgame press conference, Bachmeier expressed frustration regarding the team's perception, stating, "We are tired of being disrespected. We know who we are, and this was a great win for sure."
Officiating Controversy Clouds Ending
The game's final moments were marked by intense controversy involving both the game clock and potential defensive pass interference. On the final play, Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr threw an incomplete pass to Jaden Greathouse in the end zone. While officials initially ruled the game had ended, replays showed the ball hit the ground with one second remaining on the clock. Additionally, BYU cornerback Evan Johnson was criticized for contact with Greathouse during the play, which many observers believed warranted a pass interference penalty.
Big 12 Admits Clock Error
The Big 12 Conference released a statement admitting the error regarding the game clock. According to the conference, "it was determined that time remained on the clock when the ball hit the ground and the play was incorrectly cleared by the replay officiating crew." The league announced it will conduct a complete review of its end-of-game officiating process before next week's games. Because Notre Dame is an FBS independent, its games are officiated by the league of its opponent.
Notre Dame Responds to Loss
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman addressed the chaotic conclusion, describing the final play as "chaos." While he did not speak specifically about the clock error, Freeman opted to take responsibility for the loss, stating, "That's not what we do around here. We own it." The loss leaves the Fighting Irish with an asterisk in the eyes of some observers, particularly as the game's outcome might have been altered by the missed clock and the non-call on the pass interference.
Glasker and Sitake Impact Game
The game also featured a significant performance from linebacker Isaiah Glasker, who played despite a severe injury. BYU coach Kalani Sitake described the injury as being akin to "biting down on tinfoil" repeatedly. Despite the pain, Glasker recorded three defended passes, including two swatted down at the line of scrimmage. Sitake also addressed a strategic error early in the second half, where he attempted a failed fake punt on his own 28-yard line while leading 21-13. "The fake punt was on me," Sitake said. "I probably got a little too risky and aggressive."
Repeat Officiating Issues
The clock error in the BYU-Notre Dame game marks the second high-profile clock controversy of the 2026 season. In the season opener, Michigan won a game against Western Michigan after the Big Ten ruled that one second remained on the clock despite the broadcast showing the clock had expired. This incident has prompted increased scrutiny of replay officiating procedures across college football.
Cougars Look Toward UCF
Looking ahead, BYU prepares for a trip to face UCF. While the Cougars are coming off a successful 20-2 stretch dating back to the end of the 2024 season, analysts suggest the matchup against the Golden Knights will be challenging, particularly given BYU's historical performance on the East Coast.
