Full Breakdown
BYU Upsets No. 2 Notre Dame in a Thriller Marred by Clock Controversy
By Drooid · · How we work
Game Overview
On October 17, 2026, No. 8 BYU defeated No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24 at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. Bear Bachmeier threw a go-ahead 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Walker Lyons with 1:47 remaining, sealing the Cougars’ first win over a top-2 AP opponent since 1990.
Key Performances & Statistics
- Bear Bachmeier: 224 passing yards, 45 rushing yards, four total touchdowns.
- CJ Carr (Notre Dame): 261 passing yards, one interception, plus a 3-yard rushing TD.
- Preston Rex: 66 rushing yards on 10 carries.
- Nolan James Jr. (Notre Dame): 77 rushing yards, one TD.
- BYU converted 8 of 12 third-down attempts; Notre Dame 4 of 9.
- Notre Dame’s 16-game winning streak ended.
Coaching Perspectives
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake praised his team’s resilience and the “aggressive” game plan that kept the Cougars “on the chopping block.”
On-the-Ground Accounts
Defensive back Isaiah Glasker recovered a fumble after Carr’s attempted spike with five seconds left in the first half, preserving BYU’s 21-10 halftime lead. Linebacker Cade Uluave led the Cougars with nine tackles and described the win as “the final truth” for a program he felt was often “disrespected.”
Officiating Dispute
The Big 12 later issued a statement that the game clock should have shown one second remaining when Carr’s final pass hit the ground, meaning Notre Dame should have received an additional play. The conference admitted the replay crew “incorrectly cleared” the play and pledged a review of its end-of-game procedures.
Criticism & Opposition
NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay asserted that the “:01 on the bug clock” warranted a replay review, while ABC analyst Matt Austin argued that BYU cornerback Evan Johnson committed defensive pass interference on the final play and should have been penalized. Both contend that the officiating error directly affected the outcome.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Verbatim Quotes
- “With Bear’s skills, you can do a lot of different things with him.” — Bear Bachmeier
- “It’s one of those moments you dream of as a kid,” — Raider Damuni