No. 10 BYU secured a 17-10 road victory over TCU on Saturday night, Oct. 3, 2026, overcoming wet weather conditions and multiple injuries to key players. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier provided the decisive scoring with a 21-yard touchdown run in the final minutes to secure the win at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.
Bachmeier Leads Gritty Offense
Bachmeier's performance was marked by extreme physical effort and grit, particularly as the offense struggled to move the ball through the air. The sophomore quarterback finished with 66 rushing yards on 15 carries and 66 passing yards, completing 11 of 24 attempts. His final touchdown run, a 21-yard dash in the fourth quarter, saw him break through multiple tacklers to score, a play that helped secure the win for the Cougars.
Injuries Disrupt Offensive Rhythm
The offense faced significant adversity early in the game when reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year LJ Martin exited the contest in the first quarter with an apparent ankle injury. Following Martin's departure, the Cougars relied on running backs Preston Rex and Journee Tonga to handle the ground game. Rex finished with 21 yards on eight carries, while Tonga contributed 28 yards on seven carries, including a pivotal role during the final touchdown drive.
Defensive Front Dominates
The BYU defense was a primary factor in the victory, specifically through a relentless pass rush that recorded four sacks against TCU quarterback Jaden Craig. The sacks were credited to Tausili Akana, Nusi Taumoepeau, Braxton Lindsay, and Jake Clifton. The defense held the Horned Frogs to just 72 rushing yards on 2.4 yards per carry, a performance that included three sacks occurring on third downs.
Satuala Interception Shifts Momentum
Safety Faletau Satuala provided the game's most critical defensive play during the second quarter. Following a pass from Jaden Craig that was deflected by Kendal Wall, Satuala intercepted the ball and returned it 59 yards to the TCU 16-yard line. This turnover set up Bachmeier's first touchdown of the game, an 8-yard scramble that gave the Cougars a 7-0 lead.
Special Teams Success
The victory was also aided by successful special teams play under difficult weather conditions. Kicker Matthias Dunn converted a 49-yard field goal in the third quarter, supported by long-snapper Ty Smith and holder Fuller Shurtz. The ability to execute in the rain proved vital, as TCU was unable to match BYU's scoring late in the game despite having a field goal attempt from eight yards closer than Dunn's.
Cost of Victory
The win was not without cost, as several players were forced to leave the game due to injuries. In addition to LJ Martin, linebacker Isaiah Glasker exited the game during the second quarter with a leg injury, and sophomore defensive back Cannon DeVries also left the contest with an undisclosed injury. BYU coach Kalani Sitake noted that while the players were not on crutches immediately, the team would need to evaluate them further via MRIs.
Cougars Move to 4-0
With this win, BYU moves to 4-0 on the season, marking their third consecutive year starting with a 4-0 record. The victory in Fort Worth also ended a drought for the Cougars, who had not defeated TCU since 2006.
