In a game that tested their resolve, the No. 11 BYU Cougars erased a 14-point deficit to beat Iowa State 41–27 in Ames on Saturday night — and it was freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier who delivered the performance of his young career.
The Cougars, now 8–0, remain the Big 12’s only unbeaten team and continue their march toward the conference title game — and potentially the College Football Playoff.
Bachmeier’s breakout moment
When BYU’s star running back LJ Martin exited early with a shoulder injury, the pressure fell squarely on Bachmeier’s shoulders. The 19-year-old rose to the challenge.
Bachmeier threw for 307 yards and three total touchdowns, completing clutch passes to Parker Kingston and Chase Roberts, who both surpassed 120 receiving yards. Facing a 24–10 deficit, Bachmeier led a steady comeback, threading a touchdown to Kingston late in the first half before running for another in the third to give BYU its first lead.
In the fourth, he capped his night by escaping pressure and launching a deep strike to Kingston for the go-ahead score.
Head coach Kalani Sitake praised the poise and growth of his freshman leader.
“He just keeps asking for more,” Sitake said. “So let’s give him more — he’s earned it.”
Bachmeier finished with 358 total yards, responsible for nearly 90% of BYU’s offense — the heaviest workload by a Cougar quarterback in two seasons.
Defensive adjustments turn the tide
BYU’s defense, coordinated by Jay Hill, was gashed early by Iowa State’s creative offense. The Cyclones rolled up 17 first-quarter points, exploiting mismatches and catching BYU’s secondary flat-footed.
But Hill and his defense adjusted masterfully after halftime. The Cougars held Iowa State to just three points the rest of the way while forcing three interceptions, including a 40-yard pick-six by Faletau Satuala that sealed the game.
“I’m glad our guys kept their composure,” Sitake said. “They understood it’s a long game.”
The defensive turnaround — limiting the Cyclones to 330 total yards after giving up nearly 10 yards per play in the first half — preserved BYU’s unbeaten streak and kept them atop the conference standings.
BYU’s path to a Big 12 title run
With this victory, BYU gains breathing room in a tightening Big 12 race. The Cougars now enter a bye week before facing Texas Tech on Nov. 8.
From there, they’ll face TCU and a ranked Cincinnati squad on the road. Texas Tech remains the biggest hurdle — already carrying one conference loss — while Iowa State’s defeat effectively removes them from title contention.
The Cougars hold a key head-to-head tiebreaker over rival Utah, meaning even a late-season stumble wouldn’t necessarily derail their trip to Arlington.
BYU no longer needs to be perfect — but with Bachmeier’s confidence growing and a defense that has learned how to adapt, perfection no longer seems out of reach.
