Bachmeier delivers for BYU; Notre Dame loses a final second

Bear Bachmeier threw an interception in the fourth quarter, giving Notre Dame a chance to protect a three-point lead. BYU’s defense forced a three-and-out instead. On the next possession, Bachmeier took the Cougars 55 yards in ten plays and threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Walker Lyons with 1:47 remaining.

That throw gave No. 8 BYU a 28–24 victory over No. 2 Notre Dame at LaVell Edwards Stadium. It also completed an unusual night for Bachmeier: two rushing touchdowns, a receiving touchdown on a pass from Kyler Kasper, and the passing touchdown that decided the score.

BYU finished all four of its red-zone possessions with touchdowns. Notre Dame scored on three of five trips inside the 20, despite outgaining the Cougars 376–360. The Irish’s last possession reached the BYU nine, where an incomplete pass appeared to end the game.

On Sunday, the Big 12 acknowledged that replay officials had erred and one second should have remained, according to Field Level Media and Deseret News. Notre Dame should have received another snap. ABC rules analyst Matt Austin separately said he “would have supported a DPI,” Deseret News reported. The conference’s acknowledgment addressed the clock, not the contact on the pass.

Notre Dame had spent the second half recovering from a 21–10 deficit. Two field goals brought the Irish within five. Jonaz Walton’s touchdown and the ensuing two-point conversion put them ahead 24–21 with 9:31 left. Bachmeier’s interception followed, but the Irish could not extend the possession that came from it.

Bachmeier finished with 224 yards passing and 45 rushing. His offense converted eight of 12 third downs, helping BYU reach the end zone four times despite holding the ball for less than half the game.

CJ Carr completed 27 of 49 passes for 261 yards for Notre Dame. Jaden Greathouse caught eight for 125. The Irish converted all four of their fourth-down attempts.