Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs BYU Cougars — 2026-10-17 Game Analysis

Final · Sat

ESPN game file

Notre Dame Fighting Irish24atBYU Cougars28Recap

Q1 9:21TDBYUBear Bachmeier 5 Yd Run (Matthias Dunn Kick)0–7
Q1 5:06FGNDSpencer Porath 46 Yd Field Goal3–7
Q2 10:37TDNDNolan James Jr. 8 Yd Run (Spencer Porath Kick)10–7
Q2 5:52TDBYUBear Bachmeier 15 Yd pass from Kyler Kasper (Matthias Dunn Kick)10–14
Q2 1:29TDBYUBear Bachmeier 1 Yd Run (Matthias Dunn Kick)10–21
Q3 3:17FGNDSpencer Porath 31 Yd Field Goal13–21
Q3 0:11FGNDSpencer Porath 39 Yd Field Goal16–21
Q4 9:31TDNDJonaz Walton 3 Yd Run (Jonaz Walton Run for Two-Point Conversion)24–21
Q4 1:47TDBYUWalker Lyons 6 Yd pass from Bear Bachmeier (Matthias Dunn Kick)24–28

Recap

The BYU Cougars defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 28-24 on October 17, 2026, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. No. 8 BYU held off No. 2 Notre Dame on the final play to secure the victory.

Bear Bachmeier supplied touchdowns in 3 different ways. He threw for a score, rushed for 2 touchdowns and caught another touchdown on a double pass. The quarterback completed 23 of 36 passes for 224 yards.

His touchdown pass to Walker Lyons restored BYU's lead late in the fourth quarter. Notre Dame still had a final opportunity, but its last pass sailed beyond the intended receiver as time expired.

Lyons finished with 5 catches for 49 yards. Kyler Kasper and Legend Glasker each contributed 66 receiving yards. Preston Rex rushed for 66 yards, while Bachmeier added 45 yards on the ground.

Notre Dame had rallied into the lead during the second half before BYU answered. The Fighting Irish became the highest-ranked opponent the Cougars had beaten since their victory over No. 1 Miami in 1990.

Official game highlights

A matching official highlights video is not available yet. Browse official NCAA highlights.

Game stats

Statistic	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	BYU Cougars
First downs	22	23
Total yards	376	360
Net passing yards	261	239
Rushing yards	115	121
Third-down conversions	8-19	8-12
Fourth-down conversions	4-4	0-1
Turnovers	1	2
Penalties–yards	4-40	4-35
Time of possession	30:58	29:02

Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs BYU Cougars — NCAA Game Analysis

BYU Cougars defeated Notre Dame Fighting Irish 28–24, a 4-point margin. Notre Dame Fighting Irish led in total offense, 376 to 360. BYU Cougars led in rushing yards, 121 to 115. Notre Dame Fighting Irish committed fewer turnovers, 1 to 2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish converted 8 of 19 third downs; BYU Cougars converted 8 of 12.

Based on the recorded score and available team statistics. Source: ESPN game file.

Lineup

These are the players credited on the game file. That file does not list a starting lineup or positions.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Passing

#13CJ Carr

Rushing

#2Nolan James Jr.
#20Jonaz Walton
#13CJ Carr
#22Aneyas Williams

Receiving

#1Jaden Greathouse
#6Jordan Faison
#14Micah Gilbert
#85Jack Larsen
#2Nolan James Jr.
#22Aneyas Williams
#88James Flanigan
#13CJ Carr

Defense

#28Luke Talich
#34Drayk Bowen
#3Jaylen Sneed
#95Bryce Young
#15Leonard Moore
#29Christian Gray
#47Jason Onye
#8Adon Shuler
#4Jaiden Ausberry
#2DJ McKinney
#11Keon Keeley
#27Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa
#0Tionne Gray
#7Francis Brewu
#88James Flanigan
#35Spencer Porath
#20Joey O'Brien
#5Boubacar Traore
#88Armel Mukam
#10Loghan Thomas

BYU Cougars

Passing

#47Bear Bachmeier
#3Kyler Kasper

Rushing

#12Preston Rex
#47Bear Bachmeier
#1Legend Glasker
#20Journee Tonga
Team
#19Fuller Shurtz

Receiving

#1Legend Glasker
#3Kyler Kasper
#7Walker Lyons
#13Jojo Phillips
#47Bear Bachmeier
#20Journee Tonga
#12Preston Rex
#2Roger Saleapaga II

Defense

#4Cade Uluave
#3Raider Damuni
#16Isaiah Glasker
#11Faletau Satuala
#0Evan Johnson
#15Jayven Williams
#5Nusi Taumoepeau
#48Bodie Schoonover
#22Tommy Prassas
#57Keanu Tanuvasa
#27Matthias Leach
#90Hunter Clegg
#54Siale Esera
#96Justin Kirkland
#18Ace Kaufusi
#31Jake Clifton
#13Tausili Akana
#21Miles Hall
#1Therrian Alexander III
#30Braxton Lindsey
#46Kendal Wall

Scores · NCAA