BYU's defense delivered when it mattered most. The No. 8 Cougars stopped Notre Dame at the goal line on the final play to secure a 28-24 upset over the No. 2 Fighting Irish on Saturday. It was Notre Dame's first loss of the season, a shock result that sent BYU to 6-0.
The Cougars forced the issue in the end zone on that last-ditch defensive stand, keeping Notre Dame out of the paint when a touchdown ends the game. BYU's defense tightened up when it counted, refusing to break on a play that will define this rivalry meeting for years.
This win flips the script for the Cougars, who entered as double-digit underdogs against an undefeated Notre Dame team. BYU's perfect record now carries real weight in the playoff picture, and Notre Dame faces its first adversity after a clean run through the schedule. The defensive stop in the red zone wasn't just a win. It was a statement that BYU belongs in the conversation with the nation's elite teams.