The No. 8 BYU Cougars improved to 5-0 for the third consecutive season following a 24-10 victory over the Iowa State Cyclones during Homecoming festivities at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Friday, Oct. 3, 2026. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier delivered a historic performance, becoming the first BYU quarterback since Taysom Hill to record at least 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in a single game.
Bachmeier and Tight Ends Lead Offense
Bachmeier, a native of Murrieta, California, completed 22 of 30 pass attempts for 329 yards and two touchdowns. His passing total marked the most yards the Cyclones have allowed in a single game this season. The quarterback also added 109 yards on the ground, including a 39-yard scramble late in the fourth quarter that served as a career-long.
As reported by the Herald Extra, the Cougars' offense benefited significantly from the play of tight ends Walker Lyons and Roger Saleapaga II. Lyons recorded a career-high five receptions for 61 yards, while Saleapaga II contributed two catches for 72 yards, including a 63-yard reception that set up a touchdown. Together, the two tight ends accounted for 133 of Bachmeier's 329 passing yards.
Offensive Scoring and Efficiency
The Cougars' scoring was bolstered by contributions from the receiving corps and the ground game. True freshman wide receiver Legend Glasker led the team with five receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a 75-yard reception in the third quarter. Kyler Kasper also scored a touchdown on a pass from Bachmeier in the second quarter.
On the ground, running back Journee Tonga scored the game's opening touchdown in the first quarter. While the Cougars relied on a diverse offensive approach, they struggled with efficiency on critical downs, failing to convert on all three of their fourth-down attempts during the contest.
Defensive Dominance and Key Absences
The BYU defense remained a dominant force, limiting Iowa State to just 200 total yards of offense, the Cyclones' lowest output since 2018. The defensive unit held Iowa State to only 49 yards in the first half, the program's lowest half-yardage total since Oct. 28, 2017.
Faletau Satuala led the defensive effort with seven total tackles, including a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. The Cougar defense recorded three sacks, credited to Cade Uluave, Jake Clifton, Hunter Clegg, Anisi Purcell, and Ace Kaufusi. The unit's performance ensured that BYU maintained a lead despite missing several key defenders, including linebacker Isaiah Glasker, safety Raider Damuni, and cornerback Cannon DeVries.
Coaching Reactions and Officiating
Iowa State head coach Jimmy Rogers expressed praise for the BYU squad and the stadium atmosphere following the loss. "Congratulations to BYU and Coach Sitake. That’s a very well-rounded team," Rogers said during a post-game press conference. He noted that while the Cyclones struggled to make big plays, the Cougars were explosive and did not allow similar opportunities to Iowa State.
Despite the win, the game was not without controversy for the BYU faithful. Fans expressed frustration toward the officiating, specifically regarding several non-calls on potential pass interference plays and a missed running-into-the-kicker penalty on Iowa State defender. The officials assessed a total of six penalties against each team, though BYU surrendered significantly more yardage, totaling 65 yards compared to Iowa State's 27.
Looking Ahead to Notre Dame
The victory moves BYU into a high-profile matchup against No. 2 Notre Dame. ESPN announced that its College GameDay preview show will broadcast from Provo for the contest. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday at 5:30 p.m. local time. This marks the first time the GameDay program has visited Provo since 2009.
The matchup follows a historic run for BYU, as the team has achieved a 5-0 start in three consecutive seasons, a feat never before accomplished by the program. Head coach Kalani Sitake, who is now 57-1, noted that while the team showed great resilience, there were mistakes in all three phases of the game that the team aims to correct.
Homecoming Traditions
The Homecoming celebration at LaVell Edwards Stadium featured several ceremonial elements, including the lighting of the 'Y' by doTERRA founder Dr. David K. Hill. Alumni flags were carried by Dustin Rykert, Kyle Johnson, and Masen Wake, while current players Daniel Taumoepeau, Adney Reid, and Vince Tautua carried the USA, State of Utah, and BYU team flags, respectively.
