# BYU upsets No. 2 Notre Dame; rises to No. 2 national ranking

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20261014-notre-dame-and-byu-college-football-matchup
> Updated: 2026-10-24T13:30:15.000Z. Sources: 41. Developments: 5.

In a high-stakes top-10 matchup at LaVell Edwards Stadium, No. 8 BYU secured a landmark 28-24 victory over No. 2 Notre Dame. The win marks the Cougars’ first-ever victory against a top-2 opponent and ends Notre Dame’s 16-game winning streak.

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier led the offense, accounting for four touchdowns. A critical game-winning touchdown pass to Walker Lyons occurred with 1:47 remaining in the fourth quarter. While BYU maintained an 11-point halftime lead, Notre Dame mounted a comeback following a muffed punt that shifted momentum. Head coach Kalani Sitake took responsibility for a failed fake punt on fourth-and-five while BYU led 21-10, stating the team was “ultimately baited by the Notre Dame defense.”

The game ended in controversy when a pass from Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr fell incomplete in the BYU end zone as time expired. The Big 12 Conference later acknowledged that the replay officiating crew “incorrectly cleared the play,” noting that “time remained on the clock when the ball hit the ground.”

Following the victory, BYU has risen to a No. 2 national ranking. The program, owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, continues to maintain national relevance and high athlete retention despite strict institutional honor codes.

## Claims

- BYU is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- BYU defeated Notre Dame in a home game in Provo, Utah. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The university is owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The BYU honor code prohibits alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and cursing. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Notre Dame has not played a home game at BYU since 2004. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-24: BYU football rises to national prominence

BYU football has climbed to No. 2 in national rankings following a victory over Notre Dame, maintaining success despite strict university honor codes.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/byu-football-rises-to-national-prominence

### 2026-10-19: BYU upsets Notre Dame in college football contest

BYU defeated Notre Dame in an upset victory, despite a failed fake punt decision by head coach Kalani Sitake that shifted momentum during the game.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/byu-upsets-notre-dame-in-college-football-contest

### 2026-10-17: BYU upsets No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24 amid officiating controversy

No. 8 BYU upset No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24, led by Bear Bachmeier's four touchdowns. The Big 12 later admitted officials incorrectly ended the game while time remained on the clock.

32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/notre-dame-faces-byu-in-top-10-college-football-matchup

### 2026-10-14: Notre Dame and BYU face off in top-10 matchup

No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 8 BYU face off in a high-stakes top-10 matchup in Provo, offering both teams a critical opportunity to bolster their cases for the College Football Playoff.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/notre-dame-and-byu-face-off-in-top-10-matchup

### 2026-10-12: Notre Dame faces No. 8 BYU in top-10 college football matchup

No. 2 Notre Dame travels to face undefeated No. 8 BYU in a premier top-10 college football matchup this Saturday.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/notre-dame-to-face-no-8-byu-in-top-10-college-football-matchup

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Cite as: BYU upsets No. 2 Notre Dame; rises to No. 2 national ranking. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20261014-notre-dame-and-byu-college-football-matchup