Bachmeier leads BYU upset of Notre Dame amid officiating error

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 19, 2026

Brigham Young University defeated No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24 on Saturday night with a late touchdown pass from quarterback Bear Bachmeier and a key defensive stop in the final moments. The game ended amid controversy as the Big 12 Conference acknowledged a timing error on the final play, prompting a review of officiating procedures before the next round of games.

Brigham Young University secured a dramatic 28-24 victory over No. 2 Notre Dame on Saturday night in Provo, Utah, highlighted by a late touchdown pass from BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier and a critical defensive stand at the goal line. Bachmeier connected on a go-ahead touchdown with just 1:47 remaining, and the Cougars’ defense prevented the Fighting Irish from scoring on their final possession.

However, the closing moments of the game featured an officiating controversy. According to the Big 12 Conference, a review revealed that time remained on the clock after the final play, which was ruled an incomplete pass in the end zone. The replay officiating crew prematurely ended the game, a procedural error the conference acknowledged in a statement. The Big 12 announced it would conduct a thorough review of its end-of-game officiating protocols before the upcoming week of games.

The result came amid a turbulent day for college football’s elite, as five of the top eight teams in the Associated Press Top 25 suffered defeats. This included No. 1 Georgia’s close 27-24 loss to Auburn, marking the first time since 2012 that the top two ranked teams lost on the same regular-season day.

Bachmeier, who had a standout performance, contributed significantly to BYU’s sixth consecutive victory. He threw for 224 yards, ran for two touchdowns, and caught another, energizing the Cougars’ offense. Running back Preston Rex also had a strong game, rushing for 66 yards on 10 carries. BYU improved to 6-0, matching its best start in three seasons, and claimed its first victory over a top-10 opponent since 2018. The Cougars’ win over Notre Dame also marked their first over the Fighting Irish since 2004.

“We’re tired of being disrespected,” Bachmeier said after the game. “We know who we are. This was a great win for sure.”

Notre Dame was unable to capitalize on its opportunity in the final seconds, as its last pass from inside the 10-yard line fell incomplete, though the timing issue raised questions about whether the contest had truly concluded. The incident and subsequent review by the Big 12 spotlight the challenges officials face in tightly contested games and the importance of accuracy during crucial moments.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.