Halftime update: BYU ends Notre Dame's streak, takes 14-7 lead

Notre Dame’s remarkable defensive streak ended at 17 quarters without allowing a touchdown.

Its next streak lasted 2 minutes, 18 seconds.

BYU took a 14-7 lead into halftime by scoring two second-quarter touchdowns — the first touchdowns yielded by the Notre Dame defense since the fourth quarter of the Purdue game on Sept. 8. First, the Cougars rode Jamaal Williams into the Notre Dame red zone, then took advantage of a late hit by Matthias Farley to set up a 6-yard touchdown pass from Riley Nelson to Cody Hoffman, who was all alone in the back of the end zone.

Three plays later, Tommy Rees’ pass hit DaVaris Daniels right square in the hands, and the tipped ball was intercepted by linebacker Kyle Van Noy at the Notre Dame 30. BYU quickly moved downfield, scoring on a 2-yard pass from Nelson to Kaneakua Friel.

Notre Dame kicker Kyle Brindza missed his second field goal attempt of the game, a 28-yarder with 2:30 left after a strong drive quarterbacked by both Rees and Andrew Hendrix.

Before the touchdowns, Notre Dame had made 11 straight red-zone stops.