Notre Dame football on edge as BYU pulls off stunning upset

Quick Takeaways

Table of Contents

• Notre Dame football upset vs. BYU: game recap
• Scoring timeline
• Key statistics
• Background: Notre Dame season and BYU’s rise
• Implications for bowl eligibility and rankings
• Future outlook and official statements
• Frequently Asked Questions
• What was the final score of the Notre Dame vs. BYU game?
• How does the loss affect Notre Dame’s chances for a New Year’s Six bowl?
• Where can fans watch the full BYU upset replay?

• Core Insight: BYU defeated Notre Dame 31-28, ending the Irish’s hopes for a bowl berth.
• Key Highlight: The Cougars rallied with a 14‑point fourth‑quarter surge, their first win over Notre Dame since 1995.
• Actionable Advice: Fans should tune to ESPN+ at 8:00 p.m. ET for the full replay and analysis.

OCT 18, 2026 — Notre Dame football suffered a 31‑28 loss to BYU in South Bend, snapping a six‑game winning streak and jeopardizing a potential New Year’s Six bowl appearance. The upset came after the Irish had requested a matchup with the Cougars earlier this season.

Notre Dame football upset vs. BYU: game recap

Scoring timeline

- **1st Qtr:** BYU 7, ND 3 (field goal) - **2nd Qtr:** ND 14‑7 (touchdown), BYU 14‑14 (touchdown) - **3rd Qtr:** ND 21‑14 (field goal), BYU 21‑21 (touchdown) - **4th Qtr:** BYU 31‑21 (two touchdowns), ND 31‑28 (late field goal)

Key statistics

| Parameter | Details | Recommendation | |-----------|---------|----------------| | Total yards | ND 452, BYU 438 | Both offenses were effective; focus on red‑zone efficiency | | Turnovers | ND 2, BYU 0 | Limit giveaways to stay competitive | | Time of possession | ND 31:12, BYU 28:48 | Maintain balanced attack to control clock |

Background: Notre Dame season and BYU’s rise

Notre Dame entered the game 6‑0, ranked #4 in the AP poll, and needed a win to stay in contention for the College Football Playoff. BYU, 5‑1 and unranked, had climbed to #12 after a 38‑21 victory over Texas A&M two weeks earlier. The Cougars’ offense, led by senior QB Jake Harmon (3,212 passing yards, 28 TDs), has been praised for its spread‑option scheme.

Implications for bowl eligibility and rankings

The loss drops Notre Dame to 6‑1, moving them out of the top‑four and into the “bubble” for a New Year’s Six bowl. BYU jumps to 6‑1, breaking into the top‑10 for the first time since 2019. Analysts project a possible CFP exclusion for the Irish unless they win out and receive a favorable conference championship scenario.

Future outlook and official statements

Head coach Marcus Freeman said, “We’ll learn from this defeat and finish the season strong; the players showed resilience despite the result.” BYU’s coach Kalani Sitake praised his team: “Our preparation paid off; we executed in the fourth quarter and earned this win.” ESPN’s college football analyst Mark Schlabach predicts a tight race for the remaining CFP spots, with Notre Dame needing a win over USC and a favorable bowl committee decision to secure a New Year’s Six berth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of the Notre Dame vs. BYU game?

Notre Dame fell 31‑28 to BYU, with the Cougars scoring the winning touchdown with 1:45 left on the clock.

How does the loss affect Notre Dame’s chances for a New Year’s Six bowl?

The defeat drops Notre Dame to 6‑1, pushing them out of the top‑four and requiring a win in the final regular‑season game plus a favorable committee decision to secure a New Year’s Six berth.

Where can fans watch the full BYU upset replay?

The full game replay is available on ESPN+ and the official Notre Dame athletics website starting at 8:00 p.m. ET on October 18, 2026.