BCSNN — In a game that began with ESPN’s College GameDay and ended with ABC primetime drama, No. 8 BYU delivered one of the greatest wins in program history, defeating No. 2 Notre Dame 28–24 Saturday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The victory marked BYU’s highest‑ranked win since its legendary upset of No. 1 Miami in 1990 and came down to a final defensive stand as time expired.
Sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier authored a historic performance, becoming the first FBS player in 30 years to record a rushing touchdown, passing touchdown and receiving touchdown against an AP Top‑5 opponent. He finished with 224 passing yards, three total touchdowns and 45 rushing yards, accounting for scores in every possible way. His fourth‑quarter touchdown pass to tight end Walker Lyons reclaimed the lead and set the stage for BYU’s dramatic finish.
BYU opened the game with an 11‑play, 75‑yard touchdown drive capped by Bachmeier’s designed run from five yards out. Notre Dame responded with a field goal, then took a 10–7 lead on an eight‑yard touchdown run by Nolan James Jr. early in the second quarter. But BYU answered with creativity and precision, executing a backward‑pass double pass that saw Kyler Kasper throw back to Bachmeier for a 15‑yard touchdown — the first receiving score of his career.
The Cougars extended their lead late in the half when Bachmeier leapt over the Irish defensive front for his second rushing touchdown, pushing the margin to 21–10. Notre Dame threatened before halftime, but a botched spike attempt resulted in a fumble recovered by Jayven Williams, sending BYU into the locker room with momentum and a roaring home crowd behind them.
Notre Dame clawed back in the second half, converting two field goals to trim the deficit to 21–16. The Irish then took the lead 24–21 with 9:31 remaining after a 10‑yard touchdown run and successful two‑point conversion. But BYU’s defense stiffened, forcing a three‑and‑out and giving Bachmeier one more chance.
Starting at the BYU 45, Bachmeier engineered a poised, physical drive. He found Legend Glasker for 26 yards, then used his legs to push the ball inside the Notre Dame 10. After a false start moved BYU back to the six, Bachmeier delivered a strike to Lyons on a slant for the go‑ahead touchdown with 1:47 remaining, completing a 10‑play, 55‑yard march.
Notre Dame mounted a frantic final drive, converting multiple fourth downs and reaching the BYU 9‑yard line with four seconds left. On the final play, quarterback CJ Carr rolled right and targeted Jaden Greathouse, but the pass sailed incomplete as the stadium erupted. BYU’s defense, which held Carr to a 55% completion rate and allowed no passing touchdowns, delivered the final stop that sealed the upset.
Running back Preston Rex added 66 rushing yards, while Kasper and Glasker each posted 66 receiving yards. Lyons finished with five catches for 49 yards and the decisive touchdown. Defensively, Cade Uluave led BYU with nine tackles, and Raider Damuni added seven in his return from injury.
The win capped a night filled with emotion, physicality and national attention — a performance that will be remembered alongside BYU’s greatest victories.
BYU travels to Orlando next week to face UCF at the Acrisure Bounce House.
