PROVO, Utah -- When the clock struck zero and No. 8 BYU's stunning 28-24 win over No. 2 Notre Dame was sealed, Steve Penrose couldn't keep tears from his eyes. The 64-year-old BYU fan has attended games since he was a toddler, long before LaVell Edwards' heyday and the rise to national contention. When the ball fluttered harmlessly into the end zone to end the game, sending clouds of fireworks shooting above the historic venue, Penrose and his family joined tens of thousands of fans and rushed the field.
"We don't get the nation's respect," Penrose said with awe. "We have to earn everything. To be in a power conference, to beat the No. 2 team in the country fair and square, I've literally been waiting for this my whole life." For so long, BYU football has been the stepchild of college football.
Even winning a national championship didn't buy the Cougars access to the highest stage. When they finally reached the Big 12, they were rewarded with a pair of playoff snubs. Only two teams in college football have more wins since 2024 than the Cougars.
One of them sat on the other sideline, with their gold helmets representing the royalty of prestige. Notre Dame is the most iconic brand in the sport, and their roster budget reportedly doubles BYU's. It was David versus Goliath under the bright lights of LaVell Edwards Stadium.
And this time, David had his sling. Just getting Notre Dame to Provo required divine intervention, a supportive text message leading to one of the biggest games of the college football season. For BYU, the moment was vital.
Critics long pointed to BYU's struggles against AP top-10 opponents, including two blowouts against Texas Tech last season. Furthermore, the Big 12's place among the major conferences has constantly been brought into question. The aforementioned Red Raiders were shut out against Oregon in the College Football Playoff.
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