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Oct 10, 2026 1:37 PM
The Cougars’ dual-threat quarterback shoulder the load with over 400 total yards, keeping undefeated BYU perfect while surviving a late goal-line stand against a resilient Cyclones squad.
No. 8 BYU Cougars held off Iowa State for a 24-10 win on Friday night.
Bear Bachmeier led BYU with 438 yards of total offense. The Cougars quarterback had to take a majority of carries out of the backfield with Big 12 Player of the Year LJ Martin out with an injury. He also finished with two scores in the game.
The Cougars (5-0) more than doubled Iowa State's offensive yardage and controlled the game from start to finish. But that didn't stop the Cyclones from hanging around late. ISU was knocking at the door down 21-10 with under four minutes remaining. They drove all the way down to BYU's 1-yard line before a missed field goal attempt.
BYU took over on downs before adding a field goal with under two minutes remaining. Bachmeier threw for a season-high 329 yards while completing 73 percent of his passes. The fourth 300-yard game of his career. He also ran for a career-best 109 yards in the contest.
Iowa State QB Jaylen Raynor threw for 98 yards and a touchdown to lead the Cyclones. Aiden Flora added 86 yards on the ground but had only 11 yards rushing before halftime.
BYU’s offense, playing without the injured LJ Martin, will still be the primary concern over the next month. Bachmeier was outstanding, but he couldn't carry the load for the rest of the season.
“Bear’s a good player,” Kalani Sitake said after the game. “He ran the ball quite a bit today, took some shots, but he’s a tough kid. I don’t know if we want to keep depending on him to get yards for us. We’ve got to see the other guys — Preston [Rex], Journee [Tonga] and Devaughn [Eka] — grow up real quick here. … Overall, I felt like we were ready for this game. It’s not disappointing because we got the win, but I think we can play better. I know we can play better.”
The Cougars had a few mistakes in a game Sitake and his staff will address. Among them were three failed fourth-down attempts, including two from inside the Iowa State 5-yard line. Nevertheless, BYU picks up a win and stays undefeated.
Without Martin, the Cougars will have to find another back who can be a force. There's not a carbon copy of him on this roster. But there are a few who can make a name for themselves. Bachmeier has shown he can carry the load, but at what cost? How effective can he be against the top teams? BYU and Bachmeier prepare for Notre Dame at home and a Holy War meeting with Utah on the road.
The 8th-ranked Cougars face the No. 3 Fighting Irish next Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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