Notre Dame Loses to BYU 28-24: Coaching Questions and Controversial Ending Raise Playoff Concerns
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish suffered a heartbreaking 28-24 loss to the BYU Cougars on Saturday, October 17, 2026, in a game that could have significant consequences for Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff hopes. The No. 2-ranked Irish entered the matchup with an opportunity to strengthen their postseason résumé against No. 8 BYU, but instead left with a frustrating defeat, serious questions about their coaching decisions, and a controversial finish that has sparked widespread discussion.
Notre Dame’s loss was disappointing for several reasons. The offense struggled to capitalize on opportunities, the defense surrendered too many points, and the coaching staff faced criticism over its play calling and adjustments. To make matters worse, the Big 12 Conference subsequently admitted that an officiating error incorrectly ended the game with one second remaining on the clock.
Although Notre Dame should have had another opportunity to run a final play, the Fighting Irish also need to examine their own performance. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and defensive coordinator Chris Ash will face questions about their respective game plans, while head coach Marcus Freeman must determine how to get his team back on track.
With playoff ambitions on the line, this defeat could become one of the defining moments of Notre Dame’s 2026 season.
Notre Dame’s Offensive Play Calling Comes Under Fire
Scoring 24 points against a top-10 opponent can be enough to win, but Notre Dame’s offense needed to be more consistent against BYU. The Fighting Irish had opportunities to control the game, yet they ultimately fell four points short.
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock deserves scrutiny for how the offense approached critical situations. His responsibility is to develop an effective game plan, identify weaknesses in opposing defenses, and make adjustments when the initial strategy is not producing results.
Against BYU, Notre Dame needed a balanced offensive attack that kept the Cougars guessing. Establishing the running game, creating opportunities for receivers in space, and mixing in well-timed passes could have helped the Irish maintain momentum and sustain drives.
The coaching staff also needed to be more effective in high-pressure situations. Predictable play calling can make it easier for a defense to anticipate what is coming, particularly on third downs and near the goal line.
Notre Dame eventually took a 24-21 lead with 9:31 remaining in the fourth quarter, putting the Irish in position to finish the game with a victory. However, they were unable to close it out.
That raises important questions about the offensive approach. Did Denbrock make the right adjustments? Were Notre Dame’s playmakers put in the best positions to succeed? Could the Irish have done more to maintain possession and protect their late lead?
These are questions the coaching staff must answer during its review of the game.
The offense needed to finish the job
Notre Dame cannot expect its defense to deliver a perfect performance every week. When the Irish take a late lead against a ranked opponent, the offense must find ways to sustain drives, run valuable time off the clock, and give the defense a chance to finish the game.
The inability to put the contest away was especially costly because BYU remained within striking distance. Every stalled drive and missed opportunity gave the Cougars another chance to take control.
Denbrock and the offensive staff need to evaluate their situational play calling, their use of personnel, and their ability to adapt under pressure. Notre Dame has the talent to compete with the nation’s best teams, but talent alone will not be enough if the offense fails to execute when it matters most.
Chris Ash’s Defense Failed to Contain BYU
Notre Dame’s defensive performance was another major concern. The Fighting Irish surrendered 28 points to the Cougars, including 21 points before halftime.
Defensive coordinator Chris Ash now faces the task of identifying what went wrong and determining how his unit can become more effective against quality opponents.
Notre Dame needed to disrupt BYU’s offensive rhythm, make timely stops, tackle consistently, and prevent the Cougars from exploiting weaknesses in the defensive scheme. Instead, BYU scored enough points to secure the victory.
A defense does not have to shut out an opponent to win a football game. However, it must respond when the opposing offense begins finding success. That means adjusting coverages, varying pressure packages, improving communication, and making sure players understand their assignments.
If BYU was finding ways to exploit Notre Dame’s defensive approach, Ash needed to find answers. The coaching staff must examine whether its defensive formations, personnel groupings, and pressure decisions gave the players the best possible chance to make stops.
Defensive adjustments must improve
Notre Dame’s defense will face more talented offenses as the season continues. If the Irish want to remain in the College Football Playoff conversation, they cannot afford to repeatedly allow opponents to dictate the pace of a game.
Ash needs to review the defensive breakdowns that contributed to BYU’s scoring opportunities and determine whether different calls or adjustments could have produced better results.
The players also share responsibility for missed tackles, communication errors, and failures to execute their assignments. However, the coaching staff must ensure the defensive strategy is designed to maximize the team’s strengths and minimize its weaknesses.
Against BYU, Notre Dame needed more stops at critical moments. The defense did not do enough to protect the late lead, and that must be addressed before the next game.
Marcus Freeman Must Hold the Coaching Staff Accountable
Although Denbrock and Ash deserve attention for their respective sides of the football, head coach Marcus Freeman also has responsibility for the team’s preparation and overall performance.
Notre Dame entered the game ranked No. 2 nationally, bringing enormous expectations into a matchup with the No. 8 Cougars. Games between highly ranked opponents often come down to a handful of decisions, and coaches must be prepared to make the right calls under pressure.
Freeman and his staff need to review the entire game, including offensive strategy, defensive adjustments, personnel decisions, situational awareness, and the team’s execution in the fourth quarter.
The objective should not be to place all the blame on one coach or one player. Rather, Notre Dame needs an honest assessment of why it lost a game it had an opportunity to win.
The Fighting Irish still have time to respond, but the coaching staff must turn this disappointment into meaningful improvements. If the same problems continue, the BYU defeat could become the beginning of a much more damaging stretch.
Big 12 Admits Notre Dame Should Have Had One More Second
The most controversial part of Notre Dame’s loss emerged after the game, when the Big 12 Conference acknowledged that its replay officials made an error in the final sequence.
With Notre Dame trailing 28-24, quarterback CJ Carr threw a pass intended for wide receiver Jaden Greathouse in the end zone. The pass fell incomplete, and officials signaled the end of the game.
However, the replay showed that the ball hit the ground with one second remaining on the clock.
On Sunday, October 18, the Big 12 acknowledged that the game should not have ended at that moment. The conference confirmed that its replay officiating crew incorrectly cleared the play and said it would review its end-of-game officiating procedures.
The admission added another layer of frustration for Notre Dame fans. The Fighting Irish should have been given one more play to attempt to score a touchdown and potentially change the outcome.
The final sequence also prompted debate over possible defensive pass interference against BYU defensive back Evan Johnson, who was covering Greathouse. ESPN/ABC rules analyst Matt Austin indicated that he would have supported a pass interference penalty on the play.
The combination of the clock error and the disputed contact made the ending particularly controversial.
Could the final second have changed the result?
There is no way to know whether Notre Dame would have scored if the officials had correctly restored the remaining second. The Irish had reached the BYU 8-yard line, giving Carr and the offense a final opportunity to attempt another play.
That play might have resulted in a touchdown, another incomplete pass, or a defensive stop by BYU. Football is unpredictable, and the outcome cannot be assumed.
Nevertheless, Notre Dame should have been allowed to run the play under the correct rules. The Big 12’s admission confirms that the game ended prematurely because of an officiating mistake.
The conference did not overturn BYU’s victory, and the official result remained 28-24. But the acknowledgment validates Notre Dame’s complaint that it was denied a final opportunity to compete.
The error does not erase the Irish’s offensive and defensive shortcomings throughout the game. It does, however, mean the final outcome was affected by a preventable officiating failure.
For a team with national championship ambitions, that is an especially painful way to lose.
How the BYU Loss Could Hurt Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff Chances
Notre Dame’s defeat could have major implications for its postseason hopes. Entering the game ranked No. 2, the Fighting Irish had an opportunity to strengthen their résumé with a victory over a top-10 opponent.
Instead, they now have a significant loss that the College Football Playoff selection committee will consider when evaluating their season.
1. Notre Dame missed an opportunity for a signature win
Defeating BYU would have given Notre Dame an important victory against a highly ranked opponent. That result could have strengthened the Irish’s case for a favorable playoff position.
The loss means Notre Dame must look to its remaining schedule for opportunities to demonstrate that it belongs among the country’s elite teams.
2. The selection committee will evaluate the entire résumé
The playoff committee considers a team’s overall record, strength of schedule, quality of wins, losses, and other relevant factors.
Notre Dame’s ranking entering the game will not guarantee postseason selection. The Irish must continue producing strong results and demonstrate that their overall body of work compares favorably with other contenders.
The controversial ending may generate sympathy among fans, but the officiating error does not automatically remove the loss from Notre Dame’s record.
3. The margin for error has narrowed
Notre Dame cannot afford to assume that one loss will have no consequences. Another defeat could significantly complicate the team’s postseason chances, particularly if other contenders finish with fewer losses and impressive victories.
The Irish need to focus on winning their remaining games while improving the weaknesses exposed against BYU.
4. Other playoff contenders can strengthen their résumés
Notre Dame’s loss creates an opportunity for competing programs to move ahead in the national rankings.
Teams with strong schedules and fewer losses could become more attractive candidates for playoff selection. Depending on how the rest of the season unfolds, Notre Dame may find itself competing for a limited number of at-large positions.
The Fighting Irish remain in contention, but their path to the playoff may be more difficult than it was before the BYU game.
What Notre Dame Must Do to Recover
Notre Dame’s response to this defeat will be critical. The Irish still have an opportunity to put together a strong finish, but the coaching staff must make meaningful changes where necessary.
First, Mike Denbrock must improve offensive consistency. Notre Dame needs more effective situational play calling, a balanced attack, and better execution when protecting a lead.
Second, Chris Ash must address the defensive breakdowns. The Irish need improved communication, sound tackling, and timely adjustments to prevent opponents from sustaining scoring drives.
Third, Marcus Freeman must ensure better game management. Preparation, personnel decisions, and the ability to respond to unexpected situations can determine the outcome of close games.
Finally, Notre Dame must move forward. The officiating controversy is understandable grounds for frustration, but the team cannot allow it to distract from the improvements required on both sides of the football.
The Irish must concentrate on winning their remaining games and rebuilding momentum in the playoff race.
Final Thoughts: Notre Dame Has Questions to Answer After BYU Defeat
Notre Dame’s 28-24 loss to BYU was a damaging setback for a team with national championship aspirations. The offensive play calling under Mike Denbrock, the defensive performance under Chris Ash, and the team’s late-game execution all deserve serious examination.
At the same time, the Big 12’s admission that one second remained on the clock adds a legitimate officiating controversy to the story. Notre Dame should have had another opportunity to attempt a final play, even though nobody can know whether that play would have changed the result.
The Fighting Irish must acknowledge their own mistakes while recognizing that the game did not end according to the correct timing procedures.
This defeat could complicate Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff chances, making the remaining schedule even more important. The coaching staff must identify its shortcomings, make the necessary adjustments, and prepare the team for the challenges ahead.
Notre Dame still has an opportunity to recover. But if the Irish want to compete for a national championship, they must demonstrate better execution, smarter play calling, stronger defensive adjustments, and improved decision-making in the biggest moments.
The loss to BYU could become a wake-up call for the Fighting Irish. What happens next will determine whether it becomes a turning point or a costly missed opportunity.
Here is the Marcus Freeman post game press conference:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What was the final score of Notre Dame vs. BYU on October 17, 2026?
BYU defeated Notre Dame 28-24 on Saturday, October 17, 2026, handing the Fighting Irish a four-point loss in a matchup between two highly ranked teams.
Why did Notre Dame lose to BYU?
Notre Dame struggled with offensive consistency, defensive stops, and execution in critical situations. The coaching staff’s play calling and adjustments came under scrutiny, while a controversial officiating error affected the final sequence.
Who is Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator?
Mike Denbrock is Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator. His responsibilities include developing the offensive game plan, calling plays, and making adjustments to help the offense succeed.
Who is Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator?
Chris Ash is Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator. He oversees defensive preparation, strategy, personnel usage, and in-game adjustments.
What did the Big 12 admit about the final second?
On October 18, 2026, the Big 12 acknowledged that one second remained on the clock when CJ Carr’s final pass fell incomplete. The replay officials incorrectly cleared the play, prematurely ending the game.
Should Notre Dame have received another play against BYU?
Yes. The Big 12 acknowledged that the game should not have ended when it did because one second remained. Notre Dame should have been allowed to run another play, although the outcome of that play is unknown.
Did the Big 12 overturn BYU’s 28-24 victory?
No. The conference acknowledged the officiating error but did not overturn the result. BYU’s 28-24 victory remained the official outcome.
Could Notre Dame still make the College Football Playoff?
Yes. One loss does not automatically eliminate Notre Dame from playoff consideration. The Irish’s chances will depend on their final record, remaining schedule, quality of wins, other teams’ results, and the selection committee’s evaluation.
How could the loss to BYU affect Notre Dame’s playoff ranking?
The defeat could cause Notre Dame to lose ground to other contenders and weakens its résumé by eliminating an opportunity for a top-10 victory. A strong finish could help the Irish recover their position.
What must Notre Dame improve after the BYU game?
Notre Dame needs more consistent offensive play calling, better defensive adjustments, stronger situational execution, and improved late-game management. The coaching staff must review the mistakes and prepare the team to perform better in upcoming games.
Who is responsible for Notre Dame’s loss?
Responsibility is shared by the players and coaching staff. Mike Denbrock must evaluate the offense, Chris Ash must address the defense, and Marcus Freeman must oversee the team’s overall preparation and performance. The officiating error also contributed to the controversy surrounding the ending.