BYU came into the game running the ball very well, averaging 223.8 yards per game; they had their season low against Notre Dame of 121 yards, but still average 206.7 per game this year. Their passing game was solid, too. They were averaging 209.8 per game through the air, totaled 239 against the Irish, and now average 214.5 per game. Turnovers were a bit rougher. They had three all year, and then had two in the 28-24 win. Total offense was 433.4 yards at the beginning of this battle, and their 360 yards on Saturday night now makes that average 421.2 yards per game. Finally, in the most important stat for an offense, they were averaging 35 points per game, and their 28 on Notre Dame makes that average 33.8 points per game now.
What the Offense Needs to Improve On
Maintaining positive momentum and rewarding the defense. It was a collective effort from the entire team, players and coaches, in BYU’s win. It was also a collective effort when they hit their most significant speed bump. After Cannon DeVries’ fumbled punt, the offense played terribly on their next three possessions. Eleven plays for 38 yards, an interception, and a turnover on downs just kept giving momentum back to Notre Dame and putting BYU’s defense in an ever-tightening spot. After giving Notre Dame drives starting at the BYU 41 and 24, the defense held the Irish to two field goals, and the offense still couldn’t reward them until the final, do-or-die drive of the night. While late is always better than never, improving in situations like that going forward could be huge for the Cougars' offense and the team.
What the Offense Did Right
They found ways to let Bear Bachmeier carry them to success. This is what I refer to as their Bear Raid offense. From the start, the game plan was to live and die by how their Heisman-candidate quarterback played. BYU has been pretty run-heavy with LJ Martin as their running back. It would have been an easy mistake to try to stay that way with Martin out injured. It might have even been tempting with how well running back Preston Rex was doing in his stead. Rex had 10 carries for 60 yards for BYU. Kalani Sitake, Aaron Roderick, and the BYU offense trusted their quarterback, got creative in finding ways for him to carry them, and let him battle. Bachmeier repaid that trust with an epic game and a huge win.
Offensive Play of the Game
The go-ahead score on the touchdown pass from Bear Bachmeier to Walker Lyons was a thing of beauty. It was a strike over the middle when Notre Dame was bringing a blitz. The BYU offensive line picked up (more on them in a bit), Bachmeier stepped into the pocket and into the throw, and found Lyons for what would prove to be the game-winning score.
This was so beautiful...https://t.co/HnWL8tFjt4
— Phillip Riggs (@phillipriggs85) October 18, 2026
Offensive Player of the Game
Bear Bachmeier did it all. He was the first player in 30 years to score touchdowns by throwing, running, and receiving in a win over a top-five team. He was 23 of 36 for 224 yards, with the touchdown pass to Lyons. He had a 15-yard touchdown reception! And he ran hard for 13 carries for 45 yards and two rushing touchdowns. 284 yards of offense and four touchdowns against a great defense is beyond impressive; it’s a Heisman statement. He is 100 of 152 for 1,257 yards and nine touchdowns passing. Bachmeier has 49 carries for 284 yards and six rushing touchdowns. He also has a 15-yard receiving touchdown. Bear Bachmeier is one of the top three quarterbacks in college football right now.
Offensive Stats of the Game
Notre Dame came into the game averaging 2.5 sacks and 5.7 tackles for a loss per game this season. The BYU offensive line allowed zero of either. They protected Bachmeier from a ferocious defense that excels at getting takedowns behind the line of scrimmage. Bear doesn’t make his nearly three hundred yards of offense and four total touchdowns without this offensive line playing this well. The other big offensive stat of the game is that, because of this line, BYU was 4-for-4 in the red zone. BYU was perfect when they got into the red zone, in no small part because of this offensive line and their sensational quarterback. Another stat just for fun: BYU is now 41-1 under Kalani Sitake when leading at halftime at home.
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