​Notre Dame squandered multiple scoring opportunities on Saturday and paid the price in a 28-24 loss to BYU. A last ditch drive ended with a CJ Carr pass falling harmlessly to the turf in the end zone. The Irish could have won on that final play but they did not deserve a victory. They were outplayed and outcoached at every turn. BYU was the aggressor and survived their own mistakes because they refused to fold.It was obvious that the Irish were in trouble from the opening whistle. Cougar quarterback Bear Bachmeier carved up Chris Ash’s soft zone defense like a Thanksgiving turkey. To make matters worse, defensive end Boubacar Traore earned a targeting call during series. He spent the rest of the evening on the sideline.Notre Dame could only muster a field goal in response to BYU’s opening drive touchdown. Later, runs by Nolan James put the Irish on top by 10-7 early in the second period. Bachmeier then took over by engineering scoring drives of 75 and 72 yards. These marches were sandwiched around a quick three and out by the Irish offense. BYU used a variety of plays including misdirection and reverses to keep Notre Dame on roller skates.Carr and the Irish got the ball back trailing 21-10 with 1:29 left in the half. He moved the team inside the Cougar five yard line with seconds remaining. Shockingly, the ball slipped from Carr’s hand as he took a snap and tried to spike it. The play was ruled a fumble and BYU recovered. Coming up empty in this possession was deflating and would come back to haunt the Irish.CJ Carr (13) throws a pass under duress (Photo by Boyd Ivey/Icon Sportswire)Carr and the offense started slowly in the second half. The first two possessions ended in failure but the Cougars handed them a gift the second time around. Cannon DeVries muffed the punt from Jasper Scaife and the Irish recovered in BYU territory. Notre Dame could manage only a field goal, however, and now trailed 21-13.After a defensive stop by the Irish, the Cougars again handed the visitors another golden opportunity. Their fake punt was diagnosed and smothered by Luke Talich and friends. Notre Dame took over on BYU’s 24 yard line. Another head scratching series by Mike Denbrock and Carr went nowhere. Spencer Porath was summoned to make cut the deficit to 21-16 with another field goal.This stretch of three offensive series yielding zero, three, and three points would prove fatal. Notre Dame did come back with a score to take the lead early in the fourth quarter. Jonaz Walton was finally given a chance to carry the ball and made the most of it. His touchdown and two point conversion with 9:31 remaining gave the Irish a 24-21 lead.Bachmeier went back to work and started to move the Cougars. Following a 28-yard completion to Kyler Kasper, Bachmeier went right back to his 6’6” receiver. Irish cornerback Jayden Sanders covered it well and pulled down an interception. Yet another bit of good fortune went for naught, however, as the offense failed to take co