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The box score indicates that this performance from the Notre Dame defense was a tale of two halves. To some degree, that's correct. After allowing 21 first half points to the BYU offense, the Fighting Irish defense stiffened and held the Cougars to just seven points in the final 30 minutes of play. Unfortunately, that seven points was on their final possession of the game. It was a sloppy game from the Notre Dame defense last night in Provo. 

I don't question their effort or physicality in this matchup, but similar to the offense, poor preparation by the coaching staff throughout the week and poor execution on the field inside of LaVell Edwards Stadium sealed their fate. This was the No. 1 defense in the country in yards allowed per game (216.4) and BYU racked up 249 yards in the first half alone. These are my key takeaways from the Notre Dame defense in their 28-24 loss to the Cougars. 

PERFORMANCES IN THE BIGGEST MOMENTS HAVE TO CHANGE 

What is the mark of an elite defense? I firmly believe that the mark of an elite defense, or championship-caliber defense, is the ability to shine in the biggest moments. Last night, Notre Dame's defense did not play at a championship caliber. There's big picture statistics you can hang your hat on, but similar to the Miami game in 2025, when they needed to get off of the field most, they weren't able to get the job done. 

On BYU's first four drives of the second half, the Irish forced two punts and two turnovers, one on downs and one interception. But their final defensive possession of the game, BYU drove 55 yards in 10 plays and scored what would end up being the game winning touchdown. The defense did enough to get the offense back in the game, but when it was their turn to end the game, the came up short. 

PHYSICAL, BUT UNDISCIPLINED 

At no point throughout the night did I question Notre Dame's toughness or physicality against BYU. But their ability to remained disciplined, especially in the key moments, proved to be detrimental. On the fifth play of the game, star defensive end Boubacar Traore was disqualified for the rest of the game after being found guilty of a targeting call. It was an uncharacteristic mistake for their most experienced edge rusher. Early in the game, there were multiple blown coverages and lapses in execution that caused tight end Walker Lyons and wide receiver Kyler Kasper to run free. 

With Traore out of the game, the lack of a pass rush gave quarterback Bear Bachmeier plenty of time to throw for 224 yards and a touchdown. We saw missed tackles from some of the most veteran players on the roster and some suspect play from members of the back seven. The inability of the coaches to prepare them against trick plays that we assumed they would see in this game, allowed receiver Legend Glasker to rush for an 11-yard gain on an end-around and Bachmeier to record one passing touchdown, two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown. BYU had four touchdown drives on the night, Bachmeier accounted for every one of them. 

LUKE TALICH CONTINUES TO IMPRESS

One of the lone bright spots on Notre Dame's defense last night was senior safety Luke Talich. He's been, by far, their best safety of 2026 and it isn't all that close. He came to play in the first half, made some crucial open field tackles against Bachmeier and was the lead player that stopped the fake punt attempt at the end of the third quarter. Talich continues to impress week in and week out. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has stated that he views Talich as a starter prior to an injury which thrusted him into the starting lineup and he's been backing up that sentiment on a weekly basis. 

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