While Saturday night in Provo, Utah, was a calamity of errors for the entire Notre Dame football team, the performance of CJ Carr was possibly the most disappointing given the opportunities that were presented. Photo by IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect It all began with the expectations Carr had coming into this season. Whether it was the Heisman hype, the talk about his control of the offense in spring camp, the competitiveness coaches raved about, or the reports coming out of the Manning passing camp, Irish fans expected Carr would be his best in the big moments. Last Saturday was that big moment. And while the stat line shows nothing inherently poor, he didn't play well enough to win a tough road game. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! On the first drive of the game, Carr showed early signs that it was not going to be his night. Carr was able to put a solid drive together, getting Notre Dame in plus territory after BYU scored on the opening drive. Unfortunately for the Irish, they would have to match BYU's touchdown with a field goal after Carr missed a wide-open Jordan Faison for a touchdown. Faison was left unguarded on a seam route to the end zone. Carr did well to recognize the open man, but he completely missed the throw. As it became a theme all night, Carr put too much on the ball, overthrowing Faison by several yards. It was the start of a pattern of the Notre Dame offense having to settle for field goals in scoring opportunities, which is a major reason they lost this game. The play that everyone has pointed to as a perfect encapsulation of Carr's performance is the botched spike attempt at the end of the first half. Down 21-10 after a rough start to the game, the Irish had a chance at the end of the half to regain some momentum and cut the lead to one score. The offense did a good job of moving the ball quickly down the field for a touchdown or even three points. Before the fumble, Carr was off again on a throw to Jack Larsen in the corner of the end zone. Larsen was able to create some separation, but Carr overthrew him on what would've been a touchdown. Just a couple of plays later, Carr would then fumble the snap on the spike, denying Notre Dame any chance at points before halftime. A BYU defender later admitted to simulating a fake "hut" which may have confused Carr, leading to the fumble. Whether that was the case or not, Notre Dame fans expect a seasoned starter at QB, with first-round buzz, to have more composure than that on the road in a big-game environment. Mistakes like the one Carr suffered are often the difference in these sorts of games, and it was on Saturday night. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle The Faison missed throw and the fumbled spike are getting a lot of the attention as it relates to Carr's performance, but Carr was simply off the entire night. Carr is known for being surgically accurate, poised, and intelligent from the pocket. On Saturday night, Carr was consistently missing throws, forcing plays that weren't there, and making bad reads. Even when passes were caught, Carr was making catches harder than they needed to be for receivers. He seemed adamant about looking for an explosive play to open the game up instead of taking what the defense was giving him. Some of these decisions are ones that led to Notre Dame's deficiencies on offense. They settled for a field goal on the missed throw to Faison. They scored zero points at the end of the half after moving the ball inside the 10-yard line. In the second half, they once again settled for a field goal after special teams stopped a fake punt inside BYU territory. After that, they failed to capitalize on a BYU turnover, settling for a field goal for a third time. This is where Notre Dame lost the game. The offense, led by Carr, had plenty of chances to reduce the BYU lead and even build a lead, but the offense failed to execute. This has become a pattern in big games, and it simply won't cut it. By the end of the game, Carr went 27-49 for 261 yards and zero touchdowns. Against the eighth ranked team in the country on the road, he was just not good enough - but he was obviously not the only problem on the night. In games where the defense is not at its best, or the other team is playing really well, it is the star QB who is expected to put the team on their back. Instead, it looked like the moment may have gotten to Carr, leaving him jittery all night. Carr and the Irish offense have one final chance in an upcoming matchup against Miami to dispel the narrative surrounding their big game woes. Whether or not they can exorcise those demons will remain to be seen. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

On Saturday, October 19th, Notre Dame and BYU competed in a primetime battle in Provo, Utah. When the dust finally settled, the Irish faithful had more questions than answers. Photo via Rob Gray-Imagn Images The lead-up to the game sparked witty and fiery trash talk over social media, with both sides showing their passion for the two programs. The game did not disappoint and even concluded in chaos, thus adding yet another thrilling chapter to the Mormon vs. Catholic rivalry. The Fighting Irish lost to the Cougars 24-28 after QB C.J. Carr threw an incomplete pass in the red zone. However, the game itself was full of controversy. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The first half concluded when Carr's attempt to stop the clock with a spike resulted in a fumble. Irish fans knew this type of mistake is atypical of the usually collected and coherent QB and didn't seem fathomable to ever occur in such a major matchup. It turns out the presumption of the Irish faithful was accurate, with BYU DL Justin Kirkland admitting to having yelled "hut" on the play in a now-deleted podcast clip (which was recovered and reported by The Irish Tribune). This is a gross violation of the rulebook and, if called, would have resulted in a penalty. Although Coach Marcus Freeman and Irish Center Ashton Craig argued and pleaded with the referees, it was to no avail, as the Irish hit the locker room to end the half. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman confronts the referee after C.J Carr spiked the ball, via Rob Gray-Imagn Images However, as infuriating as the final play of the first half was, the real argument was over the final play. With just four seconds on the clock and eight yards to go, Carr rolled out of the pocket to the right and threw a spiral intended for WR Jaden Greathouse. Greathouse was unusually unprepared to make a play on the ball, which was later explained by obvious interference on Greathouse as he reached for the ball. Even Matt Austin (ABC rules analyst) noted that defensive pass interference "likely occurred". However, the absolute most infuriating and blatant mistake by the officiating staff also occurred on the last play. As the ball hit the ground, the game clock behind the end zone clearly displayed a 0:01 timestamp. This was reviewed by officials and the replay staff (while Cougar fans stormed the field), and it was decided that the original call for the game being over was correct. Photo via ABC Furthermore, the BIG 12 (which gained BYU in 2023/2024), released a statement regarding the clock controversy. "Following the Big 12's review of the final play of Saturday's Notre Dame-BYU game, it was determined that time remained on the clock when the ball hit the ground and the play was incorrectly cleared by the replay officiating crew. The Conference will conduct a complete review of its end-of-game officiating process in advance of next week's games."- Big 12 Conference This marks the second instance this season in which officials made a clearly incorrect ruling on the game clock (the first being the Western Michigan/Michigan contest). This is perhaps the most damning indictment of the referee's performance, and is perhaps the most consequential, as the extra second would have allowed Notre Dame another chance to score in the red zone. However, the game is over. Nothing can be done to change the outcome or the loss that now plagues Notre Dame's playoff resume. Irish fans can complain and shake their fist at the horrendous officiating, but even that won't change the result. Nobody respects a fanbase that constantly complains about calls and refereeing. At the end of the day, Notre Dame Football didn't play up to the standard of their program. They left doubt. Going forward, into next week, into Navy, and then at home against Miami and SMU, one thing is evident; The Fighting Irish have to "Leave No Doubt" to the question of whether they should be in the playoffs or not. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Rob Gray-Imagn Images “Then I will get on my knees to pray that we don’t get fooled again.” - Won’t Get Fooled Again, The Who “Fool me once, shame on you; Fool me twice shame on me. Fool me — you can't get fooled again.”- President George W. Bush Belief is fickle. You can believe in something, someone, tangible or not, and be let down. That care, and the inability to walk away, keeps us from turning cold and unwilling to abandon that belief. That is what being a fan of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football is: believing that faith and loyalty will eventually be rewarded with championship glory, only to have your heart ripped out consistently and constantly in the most painful ways possible. Saturday night in Provo, Utah, the heart of Notre Dame faithful was ripped out again. In the first half, it looked like another big game meltdown. The Irish were just out of sorts, conceding a 21-10 lead to the Cougars. In the second half, they gave hope they would get that long-wanted, top-ten road win. They chipped away at the BYU lead, even taking control 24-21. The Cougars would retake a lead late that they never relinquished, beating Notre Dame 28-24. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Cue the detractors, cue the cries of fraud, once again cue the heartache and disappointment of the Irish. What stings about this is not the obvious defensive pass interference in the end zone on the final play, or that there was a second left on the clock when the ball hit the turf; it was everything that was there for the taking. Notre Dame could have been ranked number one in the country; they could have made major strides to a playoff berth and, for a time, ended all the calls about preferential treatment, being overrated and not winning big games. Instead, it’s the same old story: Notre Dame didn’t get it done when it mattered most. In short, they fooled us again. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle This team fooled us, bamboozled us, and hoodwinked us into thinking this year would be different. That this team was one of the best Notre Dame squads in decades. That the talent was so overwhelming that there was no chance they would miss the playoffs. Now, they sit at 5-1 heading into a bye week filled with the same old Notre Dame criticisms, fair or otherwise. There is still time to right the ship. They do have a bye week to get over this loss. In three weeks, a potential top-ten showdown at home against Miami and another opportunity to give a fanbase thirsting for a reason to believe to do just that. However, this question should and will remain: Do we get fooled again? Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Via Rob Gray-Imagn Images PROVO, Utah -- No. 2 Notre Dame falls to the No. 8 BYU Cougars in an ugly, mistake-ridden game that puts the Irish in a must-win situation for the rest of the season. The Fighting Irish played a tale of two halves in this game, as the Notre Dame defense struggled mightily in the first half surrendering 21 points to the Cougars. The Irish were without key impact player Boubacar Traore for the entirety of the game after a bone-headed decision led to a targeting penalty and an ejection from the contest. Due to this, the Irish defensive front was unable to create any pressure on Bear Bachmeier, who torched the Fighting Irish for 224 passing yards, along with two rushing scores. Offensively, CJ Carr had one of the worst games of his career, missing two open receivers, Jordan Faison and James Flanigan, for easy access touchdowns, along with an extremely costly fumbled spike attempt before halftime that erased a Notre Dame scoring chance. He finished 27-49 for 261 yards. The Irish also didn't capitalize on BYU's mistakes. A muffed punt by BYU and a weird decision to run a fake punt gave Notre Dame two opportunities to score touchdowns on drives that started in Cougars territory. The Irish settled for three points both times. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Jaden Greathouse was the Irish's leading receiver, and played his best game since the 2024-25 playoff run, hauling in eight catches for 125 yards. Nolan James Jr. led the rushing attack for Notre Dame accumulating 77 yards and a touchdown run. Jonaz Walton added a touchdown of his own in the fourth quarter to give the Irish the lead. Following Walton's touchdown, the Irish got a crucial interception from Michigan transfer Jayden Sanders. After the Sanders' pick, Mike Denbrock played it extremely conservative, which resulted in a three-and-out and the BYU offense to head back out there. On that drive, the Irish were beat mostly when playing zone coverage and on an imperative 3rd & goal from the six yard line, Chris Ash sent an all-out blitz that didn't get home. The Irish suffered the consequence. With the game in the balance, Carr led the Irish down the field and set up a game-deciding play, a 50/50 jump ball to Greathouse, that fell incomplete, as the Irish left Provo with a loss and their season in jeopardy. A crushing loss and an agonizing familiar feeling that Notre Dame fans know all too well returns once again in a season that was supposed to be different. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Marcus Freeman is set to take the Fighting Irish under the lights in Provo, Utah, marking their first real test of the season in a game that could shape Notre Dame's season. Photo by USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect With College Gameday in town, a 7:30 EST kickoff, and No. 2 Notre Dame playing at No. 8 BYU, there is no shying away from the fact that this is a massive game for both teams. For Notre Dame, this is the exact opportunity that the team and its fans have been waiting for this season. The Irish have yet to be challenged this season, leaving the entire country eager to figure out just how good this team is. For BYU, the program seems motivated to finally prove that they have elevated from a good team to a team that can beat anyone in the country, especially a team that elected to decline an invitation to play them in last year's Pop-Tart Bowl. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle For the Irish defense, it starts with limiting BYU's star QB Bear Bachmeier. He is the engine that makes this Cougars' offense run, especially with their running back room being as depleted as it is. Bachmeier is one of the toughest playmakers to stop in the country, as he is a constant threat to beat defenses through the air and on the ground. Through the air, he has been efficient all year, getting the ball to his tight ends and playmakers in space without turning the ball over much. In five contests, he has thrown for just over 1,000 yards, eight touchdowns, and just one pick. Bachmeier's legs are what really make him hard to beat, however. It starts with his ability to manipulate the pocket and extend plays when he needs to. Notre Dame will surely try to get pressure, but the question will be whether they can successfully bring him down. On designed QB runs, he is a big, physical runner who is capable of breaking multiple tackles, so the Irish linebackers and defensive backs will have to be ready to tackle in space. This season, Bachmeier has accounted for 239 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The threat that Bachmeier presents is going to put a lot of the defensive responsibilities on the Notre Dame linebackers. While the defensive line is busy stopping the run and applying pressure and the secondary is stopping the pass, the linebackers will have to be the ones to stop Bachmeier. Whether it's Jaylen Sneed or Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Notre Dame's ability to spy the QB and limit the amount he runs will be crucial to their success. Luckily for Notre Dame, BYU's star running back LJ Martin will miss this game due to injury. Martin was a huge part of their success last season, running for 1,300 yards. This season, he was averaging a staggering 7.8 yards per carry before the injury. This is a huge loss for the Cougars, as Martin was the staple of a physical offense. Even without Martin, that physicality is not going anywhere. BYU's offense relies on getting their physical playmakers out in space. They have willing blockers at wide receiver and talented pass-catchers at tight end. With all of this, they want to match their opponent's speed with size and strength and force smaller defensive backs to tackle in space. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! On the offensive side of the ball, CJ Carr's plate is going to be full as well. The Cougars' defense loves to get after the QB in unique and creative ways. Not only do they blitz often, but they do a great job of disguising the pressure, making it hard for opposing QBs to identify. Carr has been great this season at being able to make checks at the line to alter the play call or protection, which will be critical in a game like this. BYU defensive end Tausili Akana ranks third in the Big 12 in sacks, making him a player the Irish will need to look out for. Overall, BYU ranks high in most defensive categories. This will, without a doubt, be the toughest test for a Notre Dame offense that has played a bit inconsistently at times. Carr will have to be sharp, and the revitalized run game will have to show up against a defense that excels at stopping the run. Lastly, Notre Dame will have to be ready for a raucous crowd and a team motivated to prove a point on the biggest stage. Provo is known to be a deceptively tough place to play, and when Notre Dame is in town, it will surely be at its best. The players of BYU will also have more to play for. BYU is in a similar boat to Notre Dame. They also believe they were unjustly left out of the CFP last season, causing them to go on their own "leave no doubt" campaign. On the Notre Dame side, this will be an adjustment game for them. BYU will be the first team that tests them physically. Notre Dame will have to be ready for that change of pace before it is too late. All in all, BYU will have the environment, the players, the coaches, and the motivation to beat Notre Dame if the Irish do not bring their best. Either way, Provo, Utah, is the site of what looks to be one of the most intriguing matchups of the season thus far. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! 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William Shakespeare wrote, “Discretion is the better part of valor,” in Henry the Eighth, Part 1. Though not widely attributed to him, the quote suggests that caution is often the better move. Photo by USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect Many seem to have forgotten that quote when discussing Notre Dame Football and its decision to opt out of a bowl game last season after being snubbed for the College Football Playoff. For a while, it seemed like a largely forgotten hot-button issue against the Irish. That is, until this week ahead of their top-ten showdown with BYU. On social media, I have seen many BYU supporters make quips like “No opting out this week for Notre Dame” or “Maybe the Irish won’t show up.” This is in reference to the fact that Notre Dame was selected to play BYU in the Pop-Tart Bowl when they opted out. As many saw on the NBC/Peacock series “Here Come the Irish”, the captains decided to do so since they would be missing many key players. It was looked at as an unheralded decision and groundbreaking. Except that it wasn’t. There was a time three years ago when it could have happened and, with hindsight, probably should have. In 2023, Florida State went 13-0, winning the ACC Championship. They seemed primed for a spot in the CFP; when selection day rolled around, the Seminoles were left out. Chairman Boo Carrington stated that the leg injury to starting Quarterback Jordan Travis (he has not played meaningful football since and has retired), Florida State potentially being on their third-string signal caller, and the offensive ineptness shown by the ‘Noles since then led to the snub. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Instead, Florida State was sent to the Sugar Bowl, where they took on a Georgia team (whose only loss was to Alabama in the SEC Championship game) that was angry over their own exemption from the playoff. The difference is that Florida State had over 20 opt-outs for the game, including defensive star Jared Verse and Wide Receiver Keon Coleman. Georgia had none, and when the game rolled around, that became evident as the Bulldogs steamrolled the overmatched Seminoles 63-0. These problems have seemingly continued for Florida State; they are 10-20 since that game. The year before, Head Coach Mike Norvell had the 12th-ranked recruiting class. In 2023, it was ranked 11th. In 2024 and 2025, they fell to 19th. They have been dominated by in-state rivals Florida and Miami. Now, there are other factors, but one fact is abundantly clear: the Seminoles were on the cusp of a return to glory and were derailed following that Sugar Bowl. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle So what did Notre Dame have to gain by playing in the Pop-Tart Bowl? It was rumored they would have been missing a third of their team. Somehow, a dancing toaster pastry and sprinkles on the football helmets don’t outweigh the potential to get boat raced on a national stage. Many will argue that Notre Dame is in better shape as a program and built to withstand a major loss such as the one Florida State suffered. That is true, but in today's day and age of college football and the transfer portal, a national-level program can ill afford to take the risk. Notre Dame did not run; they used discretion and relied on the past to make a sound decision. That is not running from BYU, hating Pop-Tarts, or any other ridiculous, asinine talking point that can be conjured up. It’s a respect for where we are at in college football and how one loss can bring a program down. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

All eyes will be on LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah, on Saturday night when a pair of unbeatens meet up for another edition of “Catholics vs. Mormons.” Rob Gray-Imagn Images The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 6-0 and ranked second in the country, head to the Rocky Mountains to prove they belong among the nation’s best against the eighth-ranked BYU Cougars. BYU Results (5-0) 63-7 win vs. Utah Tech 28-17 win vs. Arizona 41-23 win at Colorado State 17-10 win at TCU 24-10 win vs. Iowa State While the Cougars' offense is not one to be taken lightly, it is their defense that strikes fear into opponents. On offense, BYU will be missing its heartbeat, RB LJ Martin, along with starting LT Andrew Gentry for the second straight week. They were able to get by last week against Iowa State, in large part due to QB Bear Bachmeier’s dual-threat abilities, but the Notre Dame defense will provide a different level of test for this unit. Defensively, they were also able to maintain a high level of play against the Cyclones last week despite several key players with injuries. BYU Head Coach Kalani Sitake has expressed optimism that most of these players could be back for this Saturday’s matchup, most notably starting Nickel Cannon DeVries. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! BYU OFFENSE Sitake’s offensive playcaller is Offensive Coordinator and QB Coach Aaron Roderick, who has held these roles since 2021. A former BYU receiver himself, Roderick became a GA with the Cougars following his college career in 1999. Following a couple of stops at smaller programs, Roderick was hired by Utah in 2005 as their WRs Coach. He would spend 11 years with the Utes, serving as WRs Coach until 2013, before being promoted to co-OC and QB Coach in 2015. Following the 2016 season at Utah, Roderick finally returned to BYU as an offensive consultant. In 2018, he was officially hired by Sitake as the program’s Passing Game Coordinator and QB Coach. With BYU sitting at 5-0 for the third consecutive season, here are some key offensive statistics and their respective rankings: Stat Amount Big 12 Rank FBS Rank Total Yards per Game 433.4 9th 44th Yards per Play 7.1 2nd 10th Points per Game 34.6 9th tied-46th Passing Yards per Game 209.6 12th 88th Passing Touchdowns 8 tied-10th tied-80th Passing Yards per Attempt 8.81 6th tied-26th Rushing Yards per Game 223.8 5th 17th Rushing Touchdowns 14 tied-5th tied-21st Yards per Carry 6 tied-1st 8th 3rd Down Conversion Percentage 54.4% 5th 7th 4th Down Conversion Percentage 0% (0/4) 16th tied-136th Turnovers Lost 3 (2 interceptions, 1 fumble lost) 2nd tied-12th Sacks Allowed per Game 0.6 (3 total) 2nd tied-8th Now, we will go over BYU’s offensive personnel by position group: Quarterback Bear Bachmeier With star Running Back LJ Martin out for some time, it has been dual-threat QB Bear Bachmeier picking up the slack on the ground, and he will need to continue doing this for the Cougars to have success. The 6-2, 230-pound sophomore is in his second year at BYU. Bachmeier originally committed to, and early-enrolled at Stanford; however, he transferred to BYU after former Cardinal Head Coach Troy Taylor left the program prior to his freshman season. Safe to say, BYU got a good one as a former four-star recruit out of Murrieta, California. Bachmeier burst onto the scene last season, becoming the first true freshman QB to start a season-opener at BYU. He finished the season with over 3,500 total yards and 26 total touchdowns as he was named 2025 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year. This season, Bachmeier is 66.4% passing for 1,033 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception. After struggling in a rain-soaked game against TCU where he threw 11/24 for just 62 yards, the sophomore bounced back with a big-time, season-high 329 yards last week against Iowa State where he threw 22/30 with two touchdowns. Bachmeier has demonstrated solid downfield playmaking abilities with multiple 300-plus yard games featuring well-thrown, deep completions. In general, an efficient passer, the BYU QB did struggle to find completions in the red zone last week, featuring multiple missed fourth-down attempts, including two from within the five-yard line. On the ground, the dual-threat has rushed for 239 yards and four touchdowns across 36 carries this season. Bachmeier has at least four carries and 30 yards in four games, including a season-high 109 yards on nine carries against the Cyclones in the team’s first game without Martin. His 6.6 yards per carry is nothing to scoff at, as he is more than capable of turning a seemingly negative play into a positive gain, just like he did on his 21-yard touchdown run against TCU. I would recommend that Notre Dame utilize a spy on Saturday night, and I believe LB Drayk Bowen is up to the task. 21-yard touchdown run vs. TCU Highlights vs. Iowa State Highlights vs. Arizona Running Backs Journee Tonga With Martin out and backup RB Sione Moa unlikely to be at 100% on Saturday, the BYU RB room has struggled. The return of Moa should provide a bit of a boost after suffering a lower-leg injury in the team’s first game against Utah Tech. However, I would still expect Tonga and Preston Rex to have somewhat impactful roles this weekend. Tonga is a 5-8, 198-pound true freshman out of Leuzinger High School in Lawndale, California. Through four games played this season, the first-year RB has rushed for 176 yards and two touchdowns across 27 carries. He recorded a season-high 91 yards on 10 carries at Colorado State. Tonga struggled last week against Iowa State as he compiled just 19 yards on eight carries; however, he was able to find the end zone for a score. He also added his first reception of the season last week on a 13-yard grab. Touchdown vs. Iowa State The freshman RB has flashed some explosiveness in his young career, averaging 6.5 yards per carry with five carries of 10-plus yards on just 27 attempts. He showed this big-play potential on a 34-yard scamper in his first collegiate game. 34-yard run vs. Utah Tech Tonga has produced nicely despite his limited role, but overall is still relatively unproven as a potential lead back. Preston Rex The more experienced, but less explosive, of this mentioned RB duo is this 6-0, 200-pound redshirt senior. Rex is in his fifth year at BYU after originally committing to the Cougars as a three-star recruit out of San Clemente High School in California. A BYU legacy, Rex’s father Byron was an All-American Tight End with the Cougars, and his brother Isaac is currently on the roster as well. Last season, Rex moved from Safety to RB in an effort to maximize his skill set. This year, the San Clemente native has rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns across 24 carries in five games played. He recorded a season-high 38 yards and one touchdown across five carries against Utah Tech. The fifth-year RB has been decently efficient, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. However, he has struggled the last two weeks with just 53 yards across 15 carries. Rex has proven to be a capable receiver out of the backfield with six catches for 43 yards this season. He has at least one catch in three games, and tallied a season-high three receptions for 23 yards against Iowa State. Others to watch: Devaughn Eka, Sione Moa (questionable; returning from injury) Receivers Kyler Kasper One of Bachmeier’s top targets this season has been the Oregon transfer in his first year at BYU. Kasper, a redshirt junior, originally committed to the Ducks as a four-star recruit out of Chandler, Arizona. The Irish did have interest and offered the receiver as a recruit. Kasper’s NFL genetics are obvious from his 6-6, 212-pound frame, as his father, Kevin, played receiver at Iowa and in the NFL for eight seasons. Through five games played at BYU, including two starts, Kasper has 14 receptions for 178 yards and three touchdowns. The redshirt junior has at least one catch and 20 yards in each game, and recorded a season-high four catches, 51 yards, and two touchdowns against Arizona. Touchdown #2 vs. Arizona Given his elite mix of height and length, Kasper is a true red zone mismatch, as he demonstrated on his touchdown last week against Iowa State. The Oregon transfer’s 12.7 yards per catch are solid, but he is not a very high-volume receiver yet. Red zone touchdown vs. Iowa State Legend Glasker BYU’s leading receiver through five games has been standout true freshman Legend Glasker. The 6-1, 175-pound versatile weapon committed to the Cougars as a three-star recruit out of Lehi High School in Utah. Glasker has racked up 378 yards and three touchdowns on 19 receptions this season, including at least three catches in each game. He tallied a season-high 131 yards on five catches at Colorado State and recorded a season-high two touchdowns on three receptions for 65 yards against Utah Tech. The freshman has also produced in the ground game with 11 carries for 83 yards and two touchdowns this season. Glasker has at least one carry in each game, and finished with a season-high four carries and 26 yards at TCU. Highlights vs. Utah Tech (3 total TDs) Glasker has repeatedly shown off his elite big-play ability, averaging 19.9 yards per reception. He owns a 61-yard catch against Arizona, a 70-yard snag against Colorado State, and a 75-yard touchdown against Iowa State. Legend Glasker will be a name to know in a few years if your favorite NFL team is looking for a receiver once he develops physically. 61-yard catch vs. Arizona 75-yard touchdown vs. Iowa State Jojo Phillips Another red zone threat that Bachmeier has at his disposal is this 6-5, 205-pound redshirt junior. Phillips is in his fourth year at BYU after originally committing to the Cougars as a three-star recruit out of Sierra Canyon High School in California. This season, the Lancaster, CA, native has recorded nine receptions for 66 yards and one touchdown in five games played, including two starts. Phillips has at least one catch in each game, and tallied a season-high three receptions and 21 yards against Iowa State last week. Touchdown vs. Utah Tech Phillips possesses a strong, physical frame but has not consistently produced enough to establish himself as a true threat. His longest reception this season is just 14 yards, and 7.3 yards per catch and 13.2 yards per game are not going to help his case for more targets. Others to watch: Reggie Frischknecht Tight Ends Walker Lyons BYU’s featured TE this season has been USC transfer Walker Lyons. The Folsom, California native originally committed to the Trojans out of high school as a four-star recruit and 2023 Under Armour All-American. Lyons, in his first year with the Cougars, is a BYU legacy as his father, Tim, formerly played in Provo. Additionally, Walker’s brother, Ryder, is a highly-touted BYU QB signee. Lyons has started all five games played this season, posting 13 receptions for 150 yards during this time. The 6-4, 245-pound TE has at least one catch in each game and recorded a season-high five receptions and 61 yards against Iowa State last week. He has shown he can be a reliable receiver, and his 11.5 yards per catch demonstrates he can do more than just checkdown. The USC transfer has benefited from his experience with the Trojans and uses his solid, physical frame in an effective manner. Others to watch: Roger Saleapaga II Offensive Line LT Paki Finau BYU’s starting LT this season has been 6-5, 310-pound redshirt sophomore, Paki Finau. The Hesperia, California native is in his first season with the Cougars as a transfer from Washington. After starting four of 12 games played at guard with the Huskies in 2025, Finau has made the transition to tackle at BYU in ‘26. He has a good frame and size for a tackle, while also offering the versatility to move inside if needed. Overall, Finau has played well this year. LG Sonny Makasini Another piece of this line that has played well this season is LG Sonny Makasini. The redshirt senior is in his fifth year at BYU after originally committing to the Cougars as a three-star recruit out of Timpview High School in Provo. Last season, Makasini allowed no sacks across 14 games played, including two starts. The 6-4, 315-pound lineman possesses a good mix of size and strength that has lent to his strong start to 2026. C Bruce Mitchell After starting all 14 games a year ago, Mitchell entered 2026 with expectations as one of the better overall centers in the country. The 6-4, 305-pound redshirt senior has not necessarily met these expectations as of now, especially after a rough TCU performance featuring multiple errant snaps and penalties. Mitchell is in his fifth year at BYU after originally committing to the program out of South Summit High School in Kamas, Utah. Prior to the 2024 season, he changed sides of the ball from defensive to offensive line. In general, this move has paid off as Mitchell does remain one of the better centers that the Irish will go against this year. RG Kyle Sfarcioc Starting at RG this season for the Cougars has been the 6-4, 305-pound redshirt senior. Sfarcioc is in his second year at BYU as a former Southern Utah transfer. The Peoria, Arizona native started five of 14 games played in his debut season in Provo last year. Sfarcioc has good size and excels as a pass blocker compared to the run. RT Bott Mulitalo The right tackle position has been one of uncertainty for the Cougars since Andrew Gentry has been out with injury. Mulitalo and Siosiua Latu-Finau have shared snaps at this position in Gentry’s absence. Bott Mulitalo is a 6-5, 310-pound true freshman who committed to BYU as a four-star recruit out of Lone Peak High School in Utah. The Lehi, UT native possesses good size but is clearly still adjusting and developing at the college level. He finished with two false starts in his first start at TCU. Others to watch: RT Siosiua Latu-Finau BYU DEFENSE As we move to the defensive side of the ball, the playcaller of this highly-touted defense is Defensive Coordinator and Inside Linebackers Coach Kelly Poppinga. Poppinga is a BYU legacy as his father, Dennis, played TE from 1968-71 and his older brother, Brady, played Defensive End from 2001-04 in Provo. As for himself, Kelly Poppinga began his collegiate playing career at Utah State before transferring to BYU for the 2006 and ‘07 seasons, when he was named a 2007 Second-Team All-Mountain West Linebacker. After spending one year bouncing around in the NFL, he returned to Provo in 2009 as a defensive intern. After spending time in various assistant roles at BYU from 2010-15, Poppinga followed Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall to Virginia in 2016. He was eventually elevated to co-DC at Virginia from 2018-21 until Mendenhall stepped down from coaching and Poppinga was not retained by the new staff. Then, he spent the 2022 season at Boise State as co-Special Teams Coordinator and EDGEs Coach. Prior to the 2023 season, Poppinga was finally hired back at BYU as the team’s STC and DE Coach. He served in these roles through the 2025 season, and is now in his first year as the program’s DC and ILB Coach. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Under Poppinga, the BYU defense has been stout and ranks not just among the best in the Big 12, but the entire country. Below are some key defensive statistics for the Cougars this season: Stat Amount Big 12 Rank FBS Rank Total Yards per Game Allowed 254.4 1st 8th Total Yards per Play Allowed 4.3 1st 12th Total Points per Game Allowed 13.4 tied-2nd tied-9th Total Touchdowns Allowed 8 tied-2nd tied-5th Passing Yards per Game Allowed 174 4th tied-27th Passing Touchdowns Allowed 5 tied-4th tied-24th Interceptions 6 tied-2nd tied-20th Passing Yards Allowed per Attempt 5.54 1st tied-4th Rushing Yards Allowed per Game 80.4 3rd 10th Rushing Touchdowns Allowed 3 tied-2nd tied-9th Rushing Yards per Carry Allowed 2.9 tied-1st 19th Now, we will go over BYU’s defensive personnel by position group: EDGEs Nusi Taumoepeau The first Cougar defensive player to highlight is 6-3, 242-pound sophomore, Nusi Taumoepeau. He is in his second year at BYU after originally committing to the program out of Westlake High School in Saratoga Springs, Utah. Nusi’s brother, Daniel, is also on the team’s roster. This season, Taumoepeau has recorded nine tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and one sack across five games played, including four starts. The sophomore has at least one tackle in four games, and tallied a season-high five tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and one sack in the win at TCU. Sack vs. TCU Taumoepeau offers the versatility to line up at linebacker, and he possesses a good motor. He has good pass rush potential and is capable of making plays behind the line of scrimmage; however, the Utah native has been limited in these facets and needs to be more consistently disrupting opposing offenses. Tausili Akana BYU’s more explosive pass-rushing EDGE is Tausili Akana. The 6-3, 235-pound redshirt junior is in his second year with the Cougars as a former Texas transfer. Akana originally committed to the Longhorns as a four-star recruit out of Laie, Hawaii. Akana has started all five games played this season at BYU, entering Saturday’s matchup with 11 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery. He has at least two tackles in four games and recorded a season-high four tackles and 2.5 sacks against Arizona. Highlights vs. Arizona I’m sure BYU would like to see a little more pass rush production outside of the Arizona game, but Akana remains a threat regardless. The former Longhorn is strong and athletic, and plays with good physicality and speed. He has been solid against the run and is obviously capable of creating negative plays. Interior Linemen Keanu Tanuvasa On the interior, BYU was able to retain some key experienced starters from a year ago, beginning with Keanu Tanuvasa. The 6-4, 300-pound lineman is in his second with the Cougars as a former Utah transfer. Tanuvasa originally committed to the Utes out of high school as a native of Mission Viejo, California. This season, the redshirt senior has 10 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 0.5 sacks, and two PBUs. Tanuvasa has recorded at least one tackle in four games, including a season-high four tackles, two TFLs, and two PBUs in last week’s win against Iowa State. The former Ute also had a nice outing against Arizona when he finished the victory with three tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and was credited with half a sack. Tanuvasa is a powerful presence who is able to disrupt plays behind the line of scrimmage. He offers the versatility to line up at nose tackle or three-technique and gained valuable experience from starting all 14 games in 2025. The lineman did a good job affecting passing lanes against the Cyclones; however, he can get moved off his feet easily at times, and his pass rush production has been somewhat limited this season. Bodie Schoonover This 6-3, 275-pound redshirt senior is more of a natural DE who rotates inside. Schoonover is in his fifth year at BYU after originally committing to the program as a three-star recruit out of American Fork High School in Utah. Across five games played this season, including one start, Schoonover has recorded 12 tackles and two TFLs. He has tallied at least three tackles in each of the past three games, including a season-high of six on the road at TCU. Schoonover also had solid performances against Colorado State and Iowa State, notching three tackles and one TFL in each of these wins. The redshirt senior possesses good size and physicality, and he holds valuable experience from starting 10 of 14 games played in 2025. Schoonover is capable of creating negative plays, as evidenced by his 6.5 TFLs a year ago, but the Cougars would like more consistency in this aspect in 2026. The lineman has been solid against the run this year. Others to watch: Viliami Po’uha, Justin Kirkland, Anisi Purcell Linebackers Cade Uluave BYU’s most impactful transfer from this past offseason was this 2025 First Team All-ACC LB from Cal. Cade Uluave is a 6-1, 230-pound senior in his first season with the Cougars. The South Jordan, Utah, native was also named the 2023 PAC-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year during his time with the Golden Bears. Uluave has started all five games played this year, tallying 26 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 0.5 sacks, and one interception. He had three tackles and a season-high two TFLs against Utah Tech, while also notching at least three tackles in each game played. The Cal transfer impressed with six tackles and an interception against Arizona, and against Iowa State when he finished the win with six tackles and was credited with half a sack. Interception vs. Arizona BYU’s star LB is clearly a consistent and productive tackler; however, his physical playing style can lead to some missed tackle opportunities. He obviously has good experience from his time at Cal and plays with good instincts. In general, Uluave is a solid playmaker in coverage with limited pass rush production who needs to become a more consistent backfield disruptor. Jake Clifton As Isaiah Glasker, Legend’s brother, sets to return from injury, it has been Jake Clifton stepping up in his place. The 6-2, 230-pound LB made his presence known to the Notre Dame public when he mentioned giving Notre Dame QB CJ Carr “a little elbow every now and then,” during his Wednesday media availability. Time will tell how that comment fares. Clifton is a Kansas State transfer in his first season at BYU. The junior LB originally committed to the Wildcats out of high school as a native of Owasso, Oklahoma. In two starts across five games played this year, Clifton has 15 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two PBUs. He has at least one tackle in each game, including a season-high six tackles and one sack against TCU. The junior also impressed last week against Iowa State when he finished the win with five tackles, half of a sack, and two PBUs. Sack vs. TCU Clifton is a physical playmaker with good pass rush potential who offers the versatility to play across any linebacking position. Others to watch: Braxton Lindsey, Isaiah Glasker (likely game-time decision) Defensive Backs S Faletau Satuala BYU’s featured safety, and potentially one of the best in the country, is Faletau Satuala. The 6-4, 215-pound junior is in his third year with the Cougars. Satuala originally committed to the program as a four-star recruit out of Bountiful High School in Utah. Satuala has started all five games played this season, recording 23 tackles, two TFLs, two passes defended, and one interception. He has at least one tackle in each game, but his best performance came against TCU when he finished the rain-filled win with four tackles, one TFL, and an interception. Additionally, Satuala impressed with seven tackles and one TFL against Arizona, and last week against Iowa State when he had seven tackles and one PBU. Interception vs. TCU The junior safety possesses elite size with good length and frame. He also has good ball skills and offers the versatility to help against the run and as a pass rusher. Satuala has also been a reliable tackler this season. S Tommy Prassas Next to Satuala in the BYU secondary this season has been redshirt sophomore Tommy Prassas. The 6-2, 200-pound safety is in his third year with the Cougars after originally committing to the program as a three-star recruit out of Basha High School in Chandler, Arizona. This season, Prassas has 20 tackles and three PBUs across five games played, including four starts. He has at least four tackles in four games, and tallied a season-high of seven tackles at TCU. The Arizona native impressed in last week’s win over Iowa State when he finished the game with four tackles and a season-high two PBUs. Overall, Prassas has good coverage instincts and is a dependable tackler; however, his takeaway and backfield production have been limited this season. Fourth-down stop vs. Arizona CB Evan Johnson BYU’s top, and most feared, corner is redshirt senior Evan Johnson. The 6-0, 185-pound CB is in his fifth year with the Cougars after originally committing to the program as a three-star recruit out of Monterey, California. No. 7 player on this preseason list The 2025 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention has recorded seven tackles, three passes defended, two PBUs, and one interception through five games this season. Johnson has at least one tackle in three games, including a season-high four-tackle performance against Arizona. The California native opened the year with a season-high two passes defended and one interception against Utah Tech. Interception vs. Utah Tech Johnson has good ball-hawking instincts, as evidenced by his 2025 season when he tied for the conference lead with five interceptions to go along with his eight PBUs. He obviously gained valuable experience during that 2025 season, starting 13 games for the Cougars' highly regarded defense. Additionally, Johnson has good athleticism; however, his 2026 production has declined from a year ago, perhaps a result of not being targeted as often. CB Therrian Alexander III Another full-time starting corner for the Cougars is this 6-2, 175-pound junior. Alexander is in his third year at BYU after originally committing to the program as a three-star recruit out of Southwest Dekalb High School in Georgia. This season, the Ellenwood, GA native has recorded 10 tackles, one TFL, two passes defended, and one interception. Alexander has at least one tackle in four games, including a season-high four tackles, 0.5 TFL, and one pass defended against Iowa State. The junior tallied his interception in the team’s season-opener against Utah Tech. Alexander is another DB in this group with good size, featuring valuable length and frame. He gained valuable experience last season when he started 12 games for the Cougars. His pass defense production has been somewhat limited this season, which could be something to keep an eye on Saturday. CB Jayven Williams Jayven Williams has been tasked with stepping up in the wake of some DB injuries for the Cougars. The 6-2, 175-pound redshirt senior is in his first year at BYU as a former Kennesaw State and Mississippi State transfer. This season, the Mobile, Alabama native has recorded 12 tackles, one TFL, and three PBUs in five games played, including two starts. Williams has at least one tackle in four games, including a season-high of six tackles against Arizona, where he also added a PBU in the win. The Bulldog transfer tallied a season-high two PBUs in last week’s victory over Iowa State. Williams possesses good length and speed, and his pass defense production has been solid this season. He could see his role reduced this week with the expected return of Cannon Devries. Others to watch: Nickel Cannon Devries (likely returning from injury), S Raider Damuni (likely returning from injury) Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! 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Via Michael Caterina-Imagn Images As the No. 2 Notre Dame Fighting Irish prepare for their first true test of the season against the No. 8 BYU Cougars, Marcus Freeman’s team is looking to make a statement. A lot can be said about the Irish’s 2026 schedule, and how the first six games of the season were de facto preseason tune-up games for the highly talented Notre Dame roster. The Irish come into this test with a better understanding of this team’s identity. It took two-and-a-half games last year for Notre Dame to begin hitting their stride. Unfortunately, that resulted in two losses to start the season, which sank the Irish’s National Championship hopes. The way the schedule presented itself this year allowed Notre Dame to figure out “who they are” after losing two first-round running backs. While they have dogpiled on the likes of Rice, Stanford, and Purdue, tougher matchups against Wisconsin, Michigan State, and North Carolina tested the Irish and forced them to bend into shape. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! These early-season lessons can be beneficial in the long run, but also when Notre Dame plays against an opponent who has a similar level of talent. As it stands now, the Irish will enter Provo, Utah, as 10.5-point favorites against a Top-10 team. They have a quarterback, in CJ Carr, who dazzles NFL scouts with his accuracy, football IQ, and command of the offense. It should be interesting to see how Carr, who loves to make adjustments at the line of scrimmage, will be able to operate in a frenzied crowd. LaVell Edwards Stadium should be extremely loud under the lights on Saturday night, but this is an environment where great teams thrive. Defensively, the Irish are still waiting on confirmation for star cornerback, Leonard Moore’s status coming out of concussion protocol. Freeman said he is trending in the right direction to play on Saturday night, but is unsure of how many snaps he will be ready for. The altitude will be playing an enormous factor as well, but Loren Landow, Notre Dame’s Strength & Conditioning coach, has previous experience with the Denver Broncos (2018-2023) and is well-equipped to handle the situation. If the Irish want to break their 37-year National Championship drought, Notre Dame has to bring their A-game against the Cougars and display that they have the ability to dominate good competition. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

There comes a point during a good road trip when you almost forget what brought you there in the first place. Shot by Mary Harris Come for Football. Stay in the Mountains. For us, that happened somewhere around Sundance Mountain Resort. The Irish Tribune traveled to Utah Valley ahead of Notre Dame’s October 17 matchup with BYU, courtesy of Explore Utah Valley, to see what Irish fans could expect when they make the trip west this fall. After touring BYU, exploring downtown Provo and hiking the Y, we made our way through Provo Canyon and eventually arrived at Sundance. This is where the trip stopped feeling much like a college football media trip. Over the next couple of days, we fly fished the Lower Provo River, descended more than 2,100 vertical feet on the ZipTour, rode horses beneath Mount Timpanogos, ate considerably better than any of us expected to eat on a football trip and eventually laid our heads beside a mountain stream. Sundance is close enough to Provo that Notre Dame fans can visit for a few hours or make it their Friday or Sunday excursion. But there’s enough hiding up Provo Canyon that you could just as easily make Sundance half of the vacation. Shot by Mary Harris For Notre Dame fans looking to turn the October 17 game into a full Utah vacation, here’s what Sundance offers and how to work it into your weekend. The Story Behind Sundance Sundance’s identity begins with the late Robert Redford, who first came through Provo Canyon in 1961 and purchased a small piece of land beneath Mount Timpanogos. Over the following years, Redford acquired thousands of surrounding acres and began developing what would become Sundance Mountain Resort. His vision was never simply to build another ski destination. Art, recreation and conservation were intended to coexist, with development kept relatively restrained within the surrounding landscape. That philosophy remains a major part of Sundance today. Roughly 70 percent of the resort’s land is permanently protected as wilderness, while the Resort Village combines lodging, restaurants, shops and art facilities with access to thousands of acres of mountain terrain. It helps explain why Sundance doesn’t feel like a conventional hotel complex dropped into the mountains. The mountains are the complex. Where to Stay Sundance offers three primary lodging experiences: The Inn, Cottages and private Mountain Homes. The Inn The Inn is the newest and most conventional hotel option, with 63 rooms and suites located in the heart of the Resort Village. Restaurants, shops, the Art Studio and mountain activities are all within easy walking distance. Rooms are divided largely by their surroundings, including Mount Timpanogos, ridge and river views. During our stay, we had riverside accommodations where the North Fork Creek could be heard running immediately outside. Photo via Sundance Mountain Resort Guests also receive access to The Springs, a collection of three outdoor soaking pools accompanied by a sauna and cold-plunge shower, along with the resort fitness center and wellness programming. For couples or anyone spending only a night or two at Sundance, The Inn offers the simplest way to stay in the middle of everything. The Cottages For something more secluded, Sundance’s Cottages are scattered throughout the woods surrounding the Resort Village while remaining within roughly a five-minute walk of its center. Accommodations range from individual rooms and studios to larger suites and lofts, with various combinations of fireplaces, decks, kitchenettes and living spaces. Photo via Sundance Mountain Resort This is the option for visitors looking for more of the traditional rustic Sundance experience without separating themselves from the resort. Mountain Homes Families and larger groups should look at Sundance’s collection of private Mountain Homes. The properties range from two to six bedrooms, with some accommodating as many as 16 guests. Full kitchens, living areas and private decks come standard, while select homes also offer private hot tubs. Photo via Sundance Mountain Resort For a large group splitting the cost of Notre Dame weekend, this is where the math can start getting considerably more interesting than booking several separate hotel rooms. What to Do Sundance is probably best known as a ski resort, but there’s plenty to do well before the snow arrives. Fly Fishing This would be near the top of my list. Sundance offers guided fly fishing year-round on the Provo River, a designated Blue Ribbon fishery known especially for its brown trout. Four-hour guided outings are available for beginners and experienced anglers, with equipment and instruction available through Sundance. Shot by Mary Harris We spent part of our stay wading into the Lower Provo River with Sundance guides, casting beneath the Wasatch Mountains. Even if you’ve never touched a fly rod before, this is one of the most accessible ways to experience the landscape surrounding the resort. More importantly for Notre Dame fans, it’s one of the Sundance activities that remains available into October. ZipTour For something considerably less relaxing, there’s the ZipTour. Sundance’s system descends more than 2,100 vertical feet and allows riders to travel side-by-side while controlling their own speed, reaching up to approximately 65 mph. Photo via Sundance Mountain Resort We did it during our August visit, and the scale is difficult to appreciate until you’re actually standing above the resort looking down. ZipTour operates seasonally, however, so Notre Dame fans should confirm October availability before making it part of their plans. Horseback Riding Sundance also offers guided horseback rides through the forests, meadows and mountain terrain surrounding the property. Depending on the season, options range from shorter beginner-friendly rides to longer excursions toward Stewart Falls and sunset rides. Shot by Mary Harris It was one of the highlights of our stay, but horseback riding is a seasonal offering and should not be assumed to be available during Notre Dame weekend without checking with the resort. Hiking, Biking and Lift Rides More than 20 miles of hiking trails run through Sundance, including routes toward Stewart Falls, while the resort also operates lift-served mountain biking during its warmer season. Scenic lift rides offer another way to get above the resort without committing to a substantial hike, although regular lift and mountain-bike operations are seasonal and typically wind down before Notre Dame arrives in mid-October. There is one particularly well-timed exception: Sundance currently has its Halloween Lift Rides scheduled for October 15–17, directly overlapping Notre Dame-BYU weekend. Art at Sundance Outdoor recreation is only half of the Sundance identity. Redford envisioned the property as an artistic community as well as a mountain resort, and that remains visible through the Sundance Art Studio & Gallery. Visitors can participate in classes and workshops involving pottery, jewelry making, painting, printmaking, photography, perfume and soap making. Shorter projects are also available for people who want to make something without sacrificing half of their day. Photo via Sundance Mountain Resort The property also maintains a glassblowing operation, where visitors can watch artisans work and purchase pieces made from recycled glass. It makes Sundance particularly useful for groups or couples who don’t necessarily want to spend the entire weekend hiking, fishing or throwing themselves down a mountain at 65 mph. Where to Eat and Drink You could easily spend several days at Sundance without leaving the property for a meal. Foundry Grill Foundry Grill is the resort’s primary full-service restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with an emphasis on seasonal American comfort food. We ate there during our stay, and it’s probably the easiest recommendation for somebody who wants one dependable sit-down meal without turning dinner into a formal occasion. Shot by Mary Harris The ‘Dirty Fries’ and the ‘Wagyu Burger’ were top-notch and both a must-try. If you’re feeling up to drinks, the ‘Copper Cherry Mule’ was a really fun, refreshing take on the classic Moscow Mule. And while you’re at it, give the ‘Mango Coconut Cheesecake’ a try, because you deserve dessert at both lunch and dinner. Tree Room For a more upscale dinner, the Tree Room is Sundance’s flagship fine-dining restaurant. Opened in 1970 and constructed around a living tree, the restaurant serves seasonal American cuisine alongside an extensive wine program and pieces from Sundance’s art collection. Photo via Sundance Mountain Resort If you’re turning Notre Dame-BYU into a couples trip and want one legitimate date-night dinner in the mountains, this is the move. Owl Bar The Owl Bar is the place I’d make sure to visit before leaving. The 21-and-up bar serves cocktails, beer and food in a rustic building centered around an antique bar that Sundance says once served Butch Cassidy. Live music is regularly part of the schedule. Photo via Sundance Mountain Resort It was where we finished our final night at Sundance, sitting beside the fireplace with cocktails after spending the previous two days bouncing between just about every activity we could fit into the itinerary. Let’s just say the Rhuby Road and the Owl Bar Old Fashioned are worth getting… a few of. Everything Else For something quicker, The Deli offers coffee, sandwiches, pizza and provisions, while The Lookout provides casual food in the Resort Village. The Library Lounge offers cocktails and smaller plates in a quieter setting. Higher on the mountain, Bearclaw Cabin serves casual food and drinks with sweeping Wasatch views when seasonal mountain operations allow access. Spa, Wellness and Shopping You also don’t have to spend every available hour doing something. The Spa at Sundance offers massages, facials and body treatments, while lodging guests can use The Springs’ outdoor soaking pools, sauna and cold-plunge shower. Sundance also offers wellness programming that can include yoga, Pilates, meditation and sound-bath experiences. Photo via Sundance Mountain Resort The General Store carries Sundance apparel, outdoor gear, handcrafted goods and local artisan work, while the Art Gallery sells pottery, jewelry, paintings, sculptures and glasswork. The Spa also has its own collection of skincare, aromatherapy and home products. But the souvenirs that make the most sense at Sundance aren’t necessarily the ones with SUNDANCE printed across the chest, although there are some really great options in that vein. Buy the piece of pottery. Buy the hand-blown glass. Buy something made at Sundance. How to Build Sundance Into Notre Dame-BYU Weekend How much of your trip you dedicate to Sundance really depends on what kind of weekend you want. The quick visit: Drive through Provo Canyon on Friday, stop at Bridal Veil Falls, spend the afternoon exploring Sundance’s Art Studio and shops, grab dinner at Foundry Grill and finish with a drink at Owl Bar before returning to Provo. Shot by Mary Harris The one-night excursion: Check into Sundance on Friday, spend the afternoon doing an activity, have dinner and drinks in the Resort Village and spend the night in the mountains. Wake up Saturday, grab breakfast and head back to Provo for Notre Dame-BYU. For a couple turning the game into a long weekend, this is probably the option I’d recommend. The full vacation: Arrive Thursday, dedicate Friday to Sundance, spend Saturday in Provo for BYU and the game, then return to the mountains Sunday for fly fishing, brunch, the Spa or an Art Studio class before flying home Monday. Somewhere Along the Way, It Became About More Than Just Football On our final night at Sundance, as I sat with a cocktail in hand by the fireplace in Redford’s renowned Owl Bar, it occurred to me how ridiculous our itinerary would sound if you stripped away the context. We had come to Utah Valley to see where Notre Dame would play football in October. By the time we were sitting beside that fireplace, football wasn’t really what any of us were talking about anymore. That’s probably the best argument I can make for Sundance. Notre Dame-BYU gives Irish fans a reason to come to Utah. Sundance gives them a reason to turn the game into something considerably larger. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Anticipation is sky-high for the matchup between No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 8 BYU this Saturday, October 17th, in Provo, Utah. It's no surprise that both teams have had this game marked on the calendar for some time now, given that the Irish declined to take on the Cougars last season in the Pop-Tart Bowl after a controversial playoff committee decision. Throw in a series of matchups that featured legendary head coaches Lou Holtz and LaVell Edwards at its conception, and a storm of Twitter beef and trash talk emerges. The Notre Dame fanbase is quite accustomed to hate from opposing fans; however, the banter from the BYU faithful has been more reserved and intelligent than the average weekly feud. The main focus of the Cougar trash talk has largely been centered upon Notre Dame's independent status and controversial strength of schedule. "Notre Dame finally plays a non-ACC or G6 opponent and finds out what it’s like to play in the big leagues"- via @garyfattersonBU on X However, the remainder of Notre Dame's schedule features teams such as No. 3 Miami and No. 24 SMU after playing the eighth-ranked Cougars. In fact, Notre Dame's strength of schedule (S.O.S.) is currently ranked 20th. On the other hand, BYU's S.O.S. is ranked 37th, while the remainder of the Cougars' season features only one other ranked team, No. 11 Utah, outside of Notre Dame. Other instances of trash talk have been more pessimistic, with fans noting that they know BYU will "play hard" whilst comparing the Fighting Irish to the likes of "green Jell-O". One of the most valid arguments made in support of the Cougars against the Irish comes from a geographic standpoint. Notre Dame's campus in South Bend sits in northern Indiana, objectively not as beautiful as Provo, Utah (as the Irish Tribune staff can attest). One X user even claimed, "I'd rather cheer on my 'mid' football team than live in... South (B)end, Indiana". It's evident that the unusually intelligent and witty trash talk from a regular-season opponent is agitating many Irish fans online. However, not all BYU fans are coming up with quality jabs and are instead opting to engage in baiting Irish fans with absurd takes or laughable observations. With some takes focusing on the weather and climate of Utah, others aim at the Notre Dame defense (which is ranked the best in the country). The absurd takes apparently get under fans' skin more than the witty snarks. "It's one thing to have a joke made about Coach Freeman's hairline or something of that sort," Longtime Notre Dame fan Beau Warg explains. "But the talk about our defense being bad is just laughable." Finally, a large portion of the ammunition for the Cougar vs. Catholic Twitter war is supplied by Notre Dame opting out of the Pop-Tart Bowl. @ESPNCFB tweeted regarding the Pop-Tart Bowl connection to this week's game, and the post had over 141k views in under four hours. BYU fans are clearly taking this ammo and running with it, with multiple posts mocking the program's decision last December. While the majority of jokes made against the Irish have been focused on the Pop-Tart Bowl, Independence, or the geographic location of South Bend, a small minority of trash talk has just been plain ole' fashioned hate (which I personally enjoy the most). Although the online presence of BYU has been more thought out and intelligent than other fanbases, one would be ignorant to think the actual game on Saturday will be tame. As gorgeous and aesthetically pleasing as Provo may be, we are talking about a top-ten matchup between two programs that have a historical and well-established rivalry. I expect the tweets and posts to only increase in entertainment value as the countdown to game day approaches zero. Kudos to BYU for having some quality roasts. It's been a joy to read them all while researching for this article. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

If you’re flying halfway across the country to watch Notre Dame play football, don’t make the mistake of seeing nothing but your hotel room, a tailgate, and LaVell Edwards Stadium. Shot by Mary Harris The Irish haven’t played in Provo in more than two decades, and part of what makes the October 17 road game worth the trip is everything sitting around it. The Irish Tribune spent several days in Provo and its surrounding area, courtesy of Explore Utah Valley, and we came home with a much better understanding of how to build an entire weekend around three hours of football. So, if you’re making the trip west this fall, consider this an insider’s starting point: five things we actually saw, climbed, ate, toured, and experienced that can help turn Notre Dame-BYU from another road game into a road trip worth remembering. Hike the Y You may consider yourself an athlete, but if you’ve ever wanted to put that to the test, braving the considerable altitude change to climb more than 1,000 vertical feet along a trail of rocky switchbacks up to this iconic local landmark may make you reconsider that notion. Shot by Mary Harris The Y Mountain Trail is only about 1.1 miles each way, but Provo itself classifies it as difficult. That's not just due to the 1,000-foot incline, but also because there’s effectively no leisurely warm-up; you start climbing and continue climbing. But the payoff is spectacular. From the Y, Utah Valley spreads out beneath you: BYU’s campus and LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo and Orem, Utah Lake in the distance and mountains wrapping around nearly everything else. In most college towns, the stadium is the centerpiece of the trip. In Provo, it feels more like the centerpiece of something much larger. Connor's practical box: Allow 1½–2 hours so you’re not rushing; bring water; wear actual walking/hiking shoes; remember that you’re starting around 5,200 feet; and prepare yourself emotionally to be humbled by an aging dog, a group of children, or someone’s grandmother passing you briskly with a warm hello. Dreamwalk Park The Irish Tribune kicked off our trip by escaping the August heat into one of the most unique attractions I’ve had the pleasure of visiting – Dreamwalk Park. This 50,000-square-foot, indoor immersive art and walk-through entertainment venue is located inside the University Place mall. It’s a family-friendly walk of nearly half a mile through hand-sculpted, cinematic sci-fi and fantasy environments. Shot by Mary Harris Dreamwalk opened in late 2024 after roughly three years and more than 150,000 hours of work, according to its creators. Rather than an art museum where you’re looking at pieces on walls, the idea is to physically walk through a succession of hand-built worlds—sci-fi environments, fantasy landscapes, lighting and sound installations and interactive elements. There are also optional puzzle/scavenger-hunt components built into the experience. Part of what makes Dreamwalk so special is how unique it really is. There’s a pretty high chance you’ve never experienced anything quite like it. Every corner of the facility is thoughtfully and artistically built to indulge the senses, tickle your curiosity, and give you multiple moments where you just say “Wow.” Shot by Mary Harris It’s also a useful Friday activity because it’s completely weather-proof. If Utah’s weather decides not to cooperate with your carefully planned football weekend, this stop doesn’t care. For the record, Dreamwalk is technically in Orem, but is very close to Provo proper. Bridal Veil Falls One of the strangest things about Utah Valley is how quickly civilization seems to disappear behind you. Just a short way up Provo Canyon lies Bridal Veil Falls, a 607-foot-tall double-cataract waterfall that makes you immediately feel like you’ve entered a completely different world. Shot by Mary Harris The beauty of the Falls is that it gives you absurd scenery for almost no physical investment. The two-tiered waterfall cascades down the south wall of Provo Canyon, and unlike the Y, you’re not required to question your cardiovascular fitness to see it. Historically, the main viewing area has been reached by a short, essentially flat paved walk. Note for October 2026: Utah County is in the middle of a multi-year, roughly $7 million reconstruction around the falls. Current reporting says Phase 2 affects access around the base while the waterfall itself remains visible from the canyon road and portions of the Provo River Parkway. Because construction schedules can move, double-check the county’s current access notice again immediately before game week. Just a few minutes from town, this is a great and easy way to experience some of Utah’s unique natural landscape without having to go far . Explore BYU Campus and LaVell Edwards Stadium A road trip should feel like a road trip. You should know that you left home. And when it comes to BYU’s campus and LaVell Edwards Stadium, the mountains do not feel like a distant backdrop. They tower over the place. They aren’t merely a photogenic landscape complementing the scene – they’re reminiscent of a painting commissioned for this very place. Make sure to get a sneak peek of the stadium before the game so you can fully experience its unique features before the crowds descend. Shot by Mary Harris For Notre Dame fans, I’d encourage spending some time around BYU before Saturday’s game-day crush rather than treating campus as something you see exclusively while walking to your seat. BYU’s own visitor map identifies LaVell Edwards Stadium, the Brigham Young statue, Bell Tower, Harold B. Lee Library, Maeser Building, Y Mountain and the BYU Welcome Sign among its campus picture stops. And there is a particularly cool wrinkle for this specific game: BYU currently lists purchasable Notre Dame-game experiences including pregame field access, a locker-room/media-room photo experience and the Cougar Walk. Those require a game ticket and are separate add-ons, so check availability well in advance before arriving. The larger point, though, is cultural. Notre Dame and BYU are two universities whose identities make considerably more sense when you actually walk their campuses. If you’re traveling all this way, give BYU the same curiosity you’d hope visiting fans bring to Notre Dame. Spend a Few Hours in Downtown Provo One of my biggest misconceptions before visiting Utah was that Provo would feel more like a collection of buildings surrounding BYU than an actual living city. Downtown changed my mind pretty quickly. We toured it with local legend Quinn Peterson, Executive Director of Downtown Provo Inc., who picked us up in his one-of-a-kind open-top dune buggy and proceeded to show us a side of the city I hadn’t expected to find. Now, Quinn probably doesn’t have enough room in the buggy for every Notre Dame fan coming to town, so you’ll have to recreate some of the experience yourself. Start with Thrifthood, especially if you’re a college football junkie. What began in an unfinished basement in 2018 has evolved into a highly curated vintage, streetwear and sneaker shop specializing in pieces from the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s. They’re known for old-school BYU gear, but what surprised us was the amount of vintage Notre Dame clothing hiding among the racks. Even if you don’t buy anything, digging through decades of college sportswear is a pretty entertaining walk down memory lane. Photo via Explore Utah Valley From there, wander Center Street rather than immediately getting back in the car. Pioneer Book has been selling used and rare books since 1980, while the almost-hidden Tiny Gallery offers exactly what the name suggests: a miniature street-facing gallery with rotating art exhibits. Music fans can check what’s happening at Velour Live Music Gallery or B-Side HiFi, an intimate listening room built around the increasingly novel concept of sitting down and actually listening to an entire record. There’s history mixed into those same few blocks. Much of Center Street runs through Provo’s historic downtown district, while the Provo City Center Temple rose from the remains of the historic Provo Tabernacle after it was gutted by fire in 2010. You don’t need an itinerary for every building; part of the fun is simply looking up from the storefronts every once in a while. Then eat. Guru’s Cafe is a great option for a group, with an enormous menu covering just about every possible preference. Owner Dean Judd recommends the signature sweet potato fries with Utah fry sauce, while I personally suggest ordering the skillet cookie for the table — which I may or may not have eaten nearly all of. Shot by Mary Harris For something considerably different, Black Sheep Cafe serves Native American Southwestern fusion, with roughly 80 percent of its food made from scratch. Try the Navajo taco, traditional frybread, green chile frites and prickly pear lemonade. And if you’re downtown in the morning, make a stop at The Kolache Place. The family-owned Provo staple began in 2014 as Hruska’s Kolaches before rebranding in 2026 and still makes its Texas-style sweet and savory kolaches from scratch each morning. I’d go sausage and gravy, blackberry and cream cheese, or the Monte Cristo – or, if you’re operating under the same lack of restraint we were, several of them. If you’re around Saturday morning before the game, the Provo Farmers Market is scheduled to run at Pioneer Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through the end of October. Depending on kickoff time, that gives Irish fans another distinctly local way to spend a few hours before heading toward BYU. Don’t treat downtown as the place you pass through between your hotel and the stadium. Give yourself a couple of hours without much of a plan. Eat something you haven’t had before. Dig through racks of 30-year-old college football gear. Wander Center Street. Duck into whatever catches your attention. Let Provo actually feel like the college town you flew across the country to visit. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports This Saturday, October 17th, No. 2 Notre Dame will travel westward to take on No. 8 BYU in front of ESPN College GameDay in Provo, Utah. This matchup will mark the second instance in which both teams are currently ranked for the matchup. The Irish have dominated the series, beating the Cougars seven out of the nine total games played between the two. Now, the tension and anticipation rise as incense in front of the Golden Canyon backdrop; let's visit what makes this top-ten matchup special. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The First Holy War - 1992 The first iteration of the rivalry took place on a sunny and brisk late November afternoon, underneath the Golden Dome at Notre Dame Stadium, as Lou Holtz led his tenth-ranked Fighting Irish out of the tunnel to take on the struggling 4-3 Cougars, led by legendary Head Coach LaVell Edwards. Notre Dame had just been upset at home two games prior by Stanford, and were knocked out of championship contention. However, the sting of defeat sparked a deep flame of pent-up aggression inside Holtz's team, which they used to burn down the Cougar defense in a 42-16 victory. The game would end up becoming infamous when Holtz put referee Thomas Thamert in a headlock following a horrendous missed holding call against the BYU offensive line. Notre Dame would only record one loss for the season, beating No. 4 Texas A&M to win the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. On the contrary, BYU would suffer a loss to Kansas on Christmas Day in the Aloha Bowl. Although the first matchup wasn't thrilling for anyone but Irish fans, it set the stage for what was to come. Catholics vs. Mormons The following season, in 1993, No. 3 Notre Dame and BYU would face off again, this time in Provo. The Cougars were on an upward trajectory, starting the season 4-0 before getting upset in landslide fashion when No. 19 BYU lost to No. 25 UCLA 68-14 the week preceding the meeting with the Irish. The tumultuous loss prompted aftershocks, as the Irish decimated the Cougars 45-20. The game that fueled the fire for the "Holy War" occurred the following season, in 1994, when unranked BYU traveled eastward once again to South Bend. Notre Dame was having trouble finding its feet after a week two loss to Michigan and a tragic home upset to Boston College the week prior. However, BYU had also been upset earlier in the season by Colorado State, which relaxed many Irish fans' nerves heading into the matchup. Notre Dame got off to a favorable start when RB Randy Kinder ran in a 41-yard touchdown on the opening drive. Both teams would trade punts before the Cougars closed the first quarter with a 49-yard field goal. The second quarter would feature another field goal kick by the Cougars paired with a passing touchdown before Notre Dame found the goal line in a red zone passing touchdown to close the first half with a narrow 14-13 lead. The third quarter would be a defensive masterclass, where neither team scored. Notre Dame's prevalent passing attack was stuffed by Edward's 4-3 defense, which is when Holtz opted for a ground assault. The Irish moved the ball to midfield well, but struggled to capitalize past that point. On the other hand, BYU was struggling to establish a run game, which wasn't a problem after John Walsh completed checkdown after checkdown. At the start of the final quarter, a goal-line stand ended after BYU superstar senior RB Jamal Willis dove into the end zone for a two-yard rushing touchdown to give the Cougars a 19-14 lead. Coach Edwards opted for a two-point conversion attempt instead of kicking an extra point. It would prove to be an excellent decision when Walsh earned the two points after a successful pass. The remainder of the game would feature the Cougar defense stiffing any hope for an Irish victory. Notre Dame would finish the 1994 season 6-5-1, which was Coach Holtz's worst season since his first in 1986 and would become the worst season ever under Holtz. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Aftermath Since the famous 1994 upset, the two programs have faced off six other times, with Notre Dame winning all but one (although two wins in 2012/2013 were later vacated). BYU did best Notre Dame in Provo in 2004, when the Cougars outlasted the Irish 20-17. The following year, Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn threw a school-record six touchdown passes in the 49-17 beatdown. In 2012 and 2013, Notre Dame would defeat BYU both times, although the pair of wins were later vacated. Finally, in 2022, the two religious institutions would meet in Sin City for the Shamrock Series. First-year Head Coach Marcus Freeman and his men were repping white and gold jerseys for the matchup. The new threads proved to be beneficial for the Irish, as QB Drew Pyne threw for 262 yards and TE Michael Mayer brought in 118 receiving yards in the 28-20 thriller against No. 16 BYU. Both Irish and Cougar fans are stereotyped as "always living in the past." Perhaps the stereotype might possess some truth to it, which is why this top-ten matchup is as intense as it is. Now, add all the religious differences, historical upsets, and online beefs, and mix it together with modern playoff implications. We are all in for a treat this upcoming Saturday, and I look forward to telling my future children about the 2026 edition of 'Catholics vs Mormons.' Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!