No. 8 BYU defeated the Iowa State Cyclones 24-10 in a Homecoming victory at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, led by a historic performance from quarterback Bear Bachmeier and a dominant defensive showing. The win marks the first time in program history that the Cougars have achieved a 5-0 record in three consecutive seasons.
Bachmeier's Historic Dual-Threat Performance
Bear Bachmeier delivered a standout performance, becoming the first BYU quarterback since Taysom Hill to record at least 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in a single game. The Murrieta, Calif., native completed 22 of 30 attempts for 329 yards and two touchdowns. His 329 passing yards represented the most the Cyclones have allowed in a single game this season.
Offensive Contributions and Key Plays
In addition to his passing success, Bachmeier recorded 109 yards on nine carries, including a career-long 39-yard rush late in the fourth quarter. This marked Bachmeier's fourth career game with more than 300 passing yards. The Cougar passing attack was bolstered by several key contributors, including true freshman wide receiver Legend Glasker, who recorded five receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown, including a 75-yard reception in the third quarter. Kyler Kasper added a touchdown on a two-yard reception in the second frame, while tight end Walker Lyons recorded a career-best five receptions for 61 yards.
Defensive Dominance and Sack Records
The BYU defense was a decisive factor in the victory, holding Iowa State to just 200 yards of total offense, which was the Cyclones' lowest output since 2018. The defensive unit was particularly stifling in the first half, limiting Iowa State to only 49 yards, the program's fewest yards in a single half since Oct. 28, 2017. As Fox13 News first reported, the defensive line was highly effective, with the unit recording three sacks: Cade Uluave, Jake Clifton, Hunter Clegg, and Anisi Purcell each recorded 0.5 sacks, while Ace Kaufusi earned a solo sack.
Satuala and Defensive Impact
Safety Faletau Satuala led the defense with seven total tackles, contributing a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. The defensive performance included a strong pass rush and a stout run defense that limited Iowa State running back Aiden Flora. Other notable defensive contributions included Tommy Prassas, who recorded three solo tackles and two pass deflections, and Jayven Williams, who recorded a significant pass breakup. The defensive unit's performance earned high marks, particularly from analysts who noted the unit's near-perfect execution from the first drive to the last.
Coaching Reflections and Fourth-Down Struggles
Despite the victory, BYU head coach Kalani Sitake noted areas for improvement regarding offensive efficiency. The Cougars struggled on critical downs, finishing the game 0-for-3 on fourth-down attempts. Sitake stated that while he likes the team's aggressiveness, he wants to see those opportunities converted into points. He noted that while there were mistakes in all three phases of the game, he was proud of how the team and the defense responded to the challenge.
Special Teams and Running Game Challenges
The game featured notable momentum shifts, including a botched punt return by Tiger Bachmeier that resulted in two muffed returns. The second muff occurred in the second half and was noted as a play that changed the course and momentum of the game. While the special teams unit had strong kicking and punting, the return difficulties were a point of concern. On the offensive side, the team faced challenges in the run game due to the absence of LJ Martin, with the group of Journee Tonga, Preston Rex, and DeVaughn Eka struggling to break tackles during critical short-yardage situations.
Program Milestone and Victory Summary
The Cougars' victory at LaVell Edwards Stadium marks a significant milestone for the program, maintaining a perfect 5-0 record over the last three seasons. The performance of the defensive unit and the historic dual-threat capability of Bear Bachmeier served as the foundation for the 24-10 win over Iowa State.
