Kalani Sitake has spent all season preaching a one-week-at-a-time approach, but after BYU knocked off No. 2 Notre Dame, even he could not hold back. As the No. 8 Cougars celebrated their 28-24 win at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday night, Sitake was swarmed by fans on the field.
When he was told to go have fun with his team, the BYU head coach answered with two words. “Let’s go!” he shouted.
Before that, Sitake was quick to credit his players for rising to the moment. “They showed out, so really proud of the guys and happy for our fans,” he said.
Asked how a win over Notre Dame changes BYU’s place in the national conversation, Sitake stuck to his usual message.
“We’re going to stay humble and hungry and keep working,” he said. “Hats off to Notre Dame. I appreciate them giving us a chance to play them. But we’re just going to get up one week at a time. I know it’s coach’s talk, but it’s worked so far.”
It took everything BYU had. Notre Dame took a 24-21 lead in the fourth quarter on a three-yard touchdown run from freshman Jonaz Walton and a two-point conversion. Bear Bachmeier answered by leading the Cougars down the field and finding Walker Lyons for a six-yard touchdown with 1:53 remaining.
The Irish still had one last shot. Notre Dame drove inside the BYU 10-yard line, but C.J. Carr’s final pass toward Jaden Greathouse in the end zone fell incomplete with no flag thrown, sealing the upset.
Article Continues BelowBachmeier was the star of the night, scoring touchdowns three different ways. He ran for two scores, caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Kasper and threw the game-winner to Lyons.
The win moves BYU to 6-0 and improves the program to 29-4 since the start of the 2024 season. It also hands Notre Dame its first loss of the year, snapping the Irish’s 16-game winning streak.
The Cougars will now try to keep it rolling when they visit UCF on Oct. 24. If Saturday night was any indication, Sitake and BYU will have plenty of energy to carry into that trip.