Notre Dame vs BYU: Cougars Upset Irish 28-24 in Provo

Notre Dame vs BYU: Cougars Stun the Irish 28-24 in Provo (Recap, Stats & What’s Next)

Ever watched a heavyweight walk into a small gym and get hit with a left hook it never saw coming? That’s roughly how Saturday night felt in Provo. No. 2 Notre Dame arrived unbeaten and left with its first loss, as BYU pulled off a 28-24 comeback-on-a-comeback. Let’s break down how it happened.

Who Won Notre Dame vs BYU?

BYU did. The Cougars beat the Fighting Irish 28-24 at LaVell Edwards Stadium, moving to 6-0 while Notre Dame fell to 6-1. BYU entered at 5-0 and Notre Dame at 6-0, in what was the first-ever matchup between top-10 teams in Provo.

How Did BYU Pull It Off?

The First Half: Cougars Land the Early Punches

Bear Bachmeier punched in a five-yard touchdown on BYU’s opening score. Notre Dame answered with a 46-yard field goal and an eight-yard touchdown run by N. James. But BYU scored twice more before the break, including a one-yard Bachmeier run with 1:32 left in the half. The Cougars led 21-10 at halftime.

The Second Half: Irish Claw Back

Notre Dame didn’t panic. Two field goals (31 and 39 yards) trimmed the gap to 21-16. Then, with 9:36 left, J. Walton scored from three yards out and the Irish converted the two-point try. Notre Dame led 24-21. Think of a boxer who’s been on the ropes all night suddenly landing a combination.

The Final Drive: Bachmeier Closes the Door

BYU had one more answer. With 1:53 on the clock, Bachmeier hit W. Lyons for a six-yard touchdown. The extra point made it 28-24, and Notre Dame never got a final score.

Notre Dame vs BYU Stats at a Glance

Stat	BYU	Notre Dame
Final score	28	24
Total yards	360	376
Rushing yards	121	115
Passing yards	239	261
First downs	23	22
Touchdowns	4	2
Field goals	0	3
Turnovers	2	1
Time of possession	29:02	30:58

Here’s the twist: Notre Dame out-gained BYU and won the turnover battle, and still lost. The Irish threw 49 passes without a touchdown and settled for three field goals. BYU turned its possessions into touchdowns, which is the whole ballgame in a close one.

Why Was This Game Such a Big Deal?

Context matters here. BYU had never played a top-10 matchup at home before. College GameDay also returned to Provo for the game. deseret kutv

Notre Dame came in rolling. The Irish were 6-0 and ranked No. 2, winning by an average margin of 33 points. Coach Marcus Freeman didn’t underestimate the Cougars, calling them “the best opponent we’re going to see to date.” deseret

Did Elevation and Injuries Play a Role?

Possibly. Provo’s altitude is a known adjustment for teams from the East Coast and Midwest. BYU also entered without standout running back LJ Martin, yet still found a way to move the ball and score. Notre Dame’s star cornerback Leonard Moore was listed as a concern pregame. I can’t tell you how much any of that mattered on the field, but it’s worth watching as the film gets picked apart. notre dame football head coach marcus freeman previews byu matchup +2

What Is the Notre Dame vs BYU All-Time Series Record?

Notre Dame still leads, now 7-3. Before this game, the Irish held a 7-2 edge, with their most recent win a 28-20 result in Las Vegas in 2022. BYU’s last win in the series was in 2004, and this was Notre Dame’s first trip to Provo since then. So 22 years later, the Cougars have done it again in the same building. irishsportsdaily

The series itself exists because of a scheduling shake-up. The USC rivalry went on hiatus, and Notre Dame quickly added BYU for 2026 and 2027. The 2026 contest also arrived amid tension after Utah’s governor criticized Notre Dame’s decision to skip a bowl game. Extra spice, indeed.

What’s Next for Notre Dame and BYU?

For Notre Dame, the road doesn’t get easier. The Irish visit Navy on October 31, then host Miami on November 7, followed by Boston College, SMU and a trip to Syracuse. One loss doesn’t kill playoff hopes, but there’s now less margin for error.

BYU, meanwhile, has a statement win and a perfect record. The Big 12 slate will test whether this was a one-night peak or a real contender’s arrival. Freeman himself noted BYU’s 28-4 record and nine second-half comeback wins since 2024. That context makes Saturday look less like a fluke. deseret

One last note: the rematch is already on the calendar. BYU heads to South Bend in 2027 for the return half of the home-and-home. kutv

FAQs

Who won Notre Dame vs BYU?

BYU beat Notre Dame 28-24 in Provo on October 17, 2026. Bear Bachmeier’s six-yard touchdown pass with 1:53 left sealed it, and the Cougars improved to 6-0 on the season.

What is the all-time series record?

Notre Dame still leads the all-time series 7-3 after the loss. Before this game, the Irish had won four straight meetings, and BYU’s previous win came in 2004, also in Provo.

When do Notre Dame and BYU play next?

BYU visits Notre Dame Stadium in 2027, the Cougars’ first trip to South Bend since 2013. The 2026 game completed a home-and-home series agreed in December 2025. Check official schedules for dates.

Why was this game such a big deal?

It was the first top-10 matchup ever played in Provo, with No. 2 Notre Dame visiting No. 8 BYU, and the result carries College Football Playoff implications for two unbeaten teams.

Who does Notre Dame play next?

Notre Dame (6-1) visits Navy on October 31, then hosts Miami on November 7 in a showdown that now carries even more weight for the Irish’s playoff hopes this season.

Final Thoughts

Notre Dame vs BYU delivered everything a marquee matchup should: lead changes, a late rally, and a final-drive dagger. The Irish dominated the box score but couldn’t turn yards into touchdowns, and the Cougars made their chances count. For BYU, it’s a signature win. For Notre Dame, it’s a reminder that one bad night doesn’t erase a strong season, but it does shrink the margin for error. Keep your eyes on the polls and Notre Dame’s next two games.