Two days before the most anticipated home game in decades, with "College Game Day" and the national spotlight turned toward BYU, coach Kalani Sitake wondered how many people had studied up on the program he led. "I don't think this is like one of those 'demand respect' type of things," Sitake told ESPN. "I don't know if people know enough about us or if we've done enough to make a splash."
The know-enough part was answered after BYU's 28-24 win over Notre Dame, which showcased talent on the field and passion in the stands, including a royal blue wave that spilled onto the field well after the game ended. BYU led the second-ranked Fighting Irish for most of the night. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier accounted for four touchdowns, and BYU converted all four red zone opportunities into scores while going 8 of 12 on third downs against a talented defense.
BYU entered the game with the third-best win percentage in the FBS since the start of the 2024 season (.875) and left at No. 2 (.879), trailing only Indiana. Still, the Cougars have not reached the College Football Playoff, while the teams ahead of them have. Safety Raider Damuni said BYU had been seen as a program that reaches big games but doesn't win them. "We do understand how big of a win this is for us, but it doesn't stop there," Damuni said. "We have bigger goals."
The next test is resetting after an emotional night. BYU resumes Big 12 play this week at UCF, a classic letdown scenario on a multiple time-zone trip against a team with a 3-1 record in its last four games and a 3-3 overall mark. Sitake pointed to a message from La Vell Edwards: "the will to prepare is more important than the will to win." Sitake said he likes what he sees in practice, calling the group "a really mature group."
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing