BYU defeated No. 2 Notre Dame in a game that ended with a disputed final play, capping a weekend where the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs fell to Auburn and Notre Dame lost its 16-game winning streak. The result leaves the College Football Playoff picture unsettled, with both teams facing immediate scheduling adjustments.
Notre Dame entered the game with a chance to claim the top ranking but played on the road against unbeaten No. 8 BYU. The Fighting Irish started without defensive lineman Boubacar Traore, who was called for targeting on BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier during the first series. The penalty allowed BYU to march downfield, forcing a timeout before Bachmeier scored to open the game.
Notre Dame responded with a first-quarter field goal and a second-quarter touchdown by running back Nolan James Jr. to take a 10-7 lead. BYU regained control through Bachmeier’s versatility; he scored on a trick play and another rushing touchdown before halftime, giving the Cougars a 21-10 lead. With nine seconds remaining in the first half, Notre Dame was on the BYU 5-yard line. Quarterback C.J. Carr attempted to spike the ball but lost control, resulting in a fumble on review that ended the half without additional Irish points.
In the second half, Notre Dame closed the gap to within a field goal. BYU answered with its first passing score of the game when Bachmeier found tight end Walker Lyons with under two minutes remaining, extending the lead to four points. The extra point made a field goal insufficient for Notre Dame to win. The Irish converted a fourth-and-two to keep their drive alive but faced a fourth-and-five with ten seconds left. They converted again with four seconds on the clock, setting up the final play.
The final sequence involved contact, but no flags were thrown. The play concluded the game, yet social media users questioned whether the clock had fully expired. The controversy emerged after both teams had already returned to the locker room, reigniting debate over the game’s ending. The loss snaps Notre Dame’s 16-game winning streak and contributes to significant shifts in the rankings.
Notre Dame will take a week off before playing Navy, while BYU travels to Orlando to face the UCF Knights.