Quarterback Bear Bachmeier recorded four total touchdowns to lead No. 8 BYU to a 28-24 upset victory over No. 2 Notre Dame on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The win snapped the Fighting Irish's 16-game winning streak and marks the first time the Cougars have defeated a top-10 opponent since 2018.
Bachmeier's Historic Performance
Bachmeier's versatile performance included two rushing touchdowns, a receiving touchdown, and 224 passing yards. He became the first BYU quarterback since Steve Young in the 1983 Holiday Bowl to record a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown in a single game. His go-ahead 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Walker Lyons with 1:47 remaining in the fourth quarter secured the win, despite a controversial finish that the Big 12 later ruled was incorrectly cleared by replay officials.
Momentum and Mistakes
The game featured significant momentum shifts and unexpected plays. In the first half, Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr fumbled while attempting to spike the ball, allowing BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker to recover the ball near the 5-yard line. This turnover helped the Cougars maintain a two-score lead heading into the locker room. However, BYU's special teams struggled throughout the night, committing a fumbled punt and a failed fake punt that allowed Notre Dame to score two field goals and cut the deficit.
Defensive Returns and Stands
The victory was bolstered by the return of key defensive players from injury. Senior linebacker Isaiah Glasker, who had been sidelined for two weeks following a game against TCU, finished the contest with six tackles and three passes defended. Senior safety Raider Damuni also returned to action, recording seven tackles and a pass deflection. The defense's performance was critical in stopping Notre Dame on a final goal-line stand after the Irish completed a fourth-down pass to Micah Gilbert to reach the BYU 9-yard line.
Depth and Defensive Resilience
The outcome was impacted by injuries to the BYU secondary, forcing redshirt sophomore Matthias Leach and freshman Jordyn Criss to enter the game in the third quarter to replace Jayven Williams and Therrian Alexander III. While Alexander and Williams were sidelined, coach Kalani Sitake stated they should be available for the upcoming game against UCF. The Cougars' offensive line was also recognized as the Big 12 Offensive Line of the Week after allowing zero sacks against the nation's top-rated defense.
National Rankings and Outlook
The victory propelled BYU to the No. 2 spot in the AP poll. During a Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, news conference, Coach Sitake stated he was not focused on the national rankings, emphasizing a "humble and hungry" approach as the team prepares to face UCF. The win contributed to a historic Saturday in college football where five of the top eight teams in the AP Top 25 lost on the same regular-season day.
Upcoming Schedule
Looking ahead, the Cougars will travel to face UCF on Oct. 24, while Notre Dame will play Navy on Oct. 31. While the team celebrates the monumental win, the focus remains on the remainder of the 12-game regular season.
