BYU just picked up one of the biggest wins in program history. The No. 8 Cougars knocked off No. 2 Notre Dame 28-24 on Saturday night in Provo, staying undefeated and delivering a massive statement for both BYU and the Big 12 in the College Football Playoff race.
And Bear Bachmeier delivered when BYU needed him most.
BYU led 21-10 at halftime after Bachmeier scored twice on the ground and caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Kasper on a trick play.
But Notre Dame slowly worked its way back.
The Fighting Irish kicked two third-quarter field goals to cut the deficit to 21-16 before Jonaz Walton scored on a three-yard run with 9:36 remaining. Notre Dame added the two-point conversion to take its first lead of the night, 24-21.
That set up Bachmeier’s biggest drive of the season.
With BYU trailing late in the fourth quarter, Bachmeier led the Cougars down the field and connected with Walker Lyons for a six-yard touchdown with 1:53 remaining, putting BYU back in front 28-24.
BYU vs. Notre Dame Controversy?
Notre Dame still had one last chance.
CJ Carr drove the Irish deep into BYU territory in the final minute, eventually reaching the Cougars’ eight-yard line. But with four seconds remaining, Carr’s final pass fell incomplete in the corner of the end zone, and BYU survived.
Here was the final play of the game that some Irish fans insisted was pass interference, but looked like hand-fighting by both sides, and the ball may have not even been catchable. Watch and decide for yourself.
Bachmeier finished with 224 passing yards while accounting for four touchdowns, two rushing, one passing and one receiving.
BYU is now 6-0. More importantly, the Cougars just added a win over the No. 2 team in America to their résumé. And it’s the biggest win in the history of the 16-team iteration of the Big 12 Conference. It opens the door for the Big 12 to possibly add a second team to the College Football Playoff this year, if things break just right. But we’ll have to wait to see how the rest of the season plays out before coming to that conclusion.
