Notre Dame looks to end 14-year top-10 road drought as defense faces major test against BYU

PROVO, Utah -- No. 2 Notre Dame enters Saturday’s showdown against No. 8 BYU looking to accomplish something the program hasn’t done since 2012: defeat a top-10 opponent on the road.

The Fighting Irish last accomplished that feat against Oklahoma nearly 14 years ago. Since then, Notre Dame has lost seven consecutive road matchups against top-10 opponents.

Now, the Irish defense could be the key to ending that drought. BYU enters the matchup undefeated, led by dual-threat quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who rushed for 109 yards against Iowa State. Head coach Marcus Freeman has emphasized the Cougars’ use of designed quarterback runs, forcing defenders to remain disciplined on every snap.

“They don’t beat themselves. They’re disciplined. They don’t really do anything fancy, but they do it exceptionally well, and they’re hard to beat,” Notre Dame defensive coordinator Chris Ash said. “You got to go beat them. They’re not going to beat themselves.”

For Notre Dame, the challenge goes beyond containing the quarterback. Following the Irish’s 37-26 victory over North Carolina, Freeman criticized poor eye control and miscommunication in pass coverage rather than defensive scheme. Notre Dame responded by holding Stanford to seven points, but Saturday presents a significantly tougher test.

“Honestly, it’s just about us playing fast and violent, being fundamentally sound, and really just going out there and executing the game plan consistently,” Ash said.

Saturday also marks the first meeting between two top-10 teams in Provo, with ESPN’s “College GameDay” adding to the national spotlight. But linebacker Drayk Bowen isn’t allowing the magnitude of the matchup to change Notre Dame’s approach.

“For us, it’s just not making it bigger than what it is,” Bowen said. “At the end of the day, it’s another road game.”

For Notre Dame, Saturday represents more than another opportunity to remain undefeated. It’s a chance to prove the Irish can deliver against elite competition on the road, something the program has historically struggled with.