Bear Bachmeier threw for a season-high 329 yards and two touchdowns to lead No. 8 BYU to a 24-10 victory over Iowa State on Friday night, Oct. 10, 2026. Bachmeier's dual-threat performance helped the Cougars move to 5-0 on the season and 3-0 in Big 12 play, overcoming the absence of running back LJ Martin.
Bachmeier's Dual-Threat Dominance
Bachmeier completed 22 of 30 passes during the matchup, marking his fourth career game with over 300 passing yards. The performance also saw him achieve his first career 100-yard game on the ground, finishing with 109 rushing yards. This victory marked the second consecutive season Bachmeier has thrown for more than 300 yards against Iowa State.
Early Offensive Momentum
The BYU offense opened the game with an efficient drive, as Bachmeier went 4-for-4 on the opening possession. He utilized a 26-yard run to power the Cougars to their first touchdown, which was finished by Journee Tonga on a 6-yard run. Later in the first half, Bachmeier hit Roger Saleapaga for a 63-yard pass on a misdirection play to set up a scoring drive, which resulted in a touchdown by Kyler Kasper. Kasper scored by backpedaling across the goal line to give BYU a 14-3 lead with 1:51 remaining before halftime.
Defensive Stifling of Cyclones
BYU's defense played a critical role in stifling the Iowa State offense, particularly during the second quarter. The Cougars held the Cyclones to just six total yards in the second quarter, yielding only 0.5 yards per play. This defensive performance helped maintain the Cougars' lead throughout the game, a fact noted by Bachmeier, who credited the defense for ensuring the team never felt like they were losing control of the game.
Third Quarter Surge and Red Zone Struggles
The Cougars extended their lead significantly in the third quarter when Bachmeier threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Legend Glasker. That play increased the BYU advantage to 21-3 with 1:09 left in the third period. Despite generating 506 total yards of offense, the BYU offense struggled with efficiency in the red zone, failing to convert on three fourth-down attempts, including two unsuccessful attempts inside the Iowa State 5-yard line where Bachmeier threw incomplete passes in the end zone.
Iowa State Offensive Struggles
Iowa State struggled to find rhythm for much of the game, totaling only 49 yards before halftime, which was their lowest output since 2017. The Cyclones finished the game with 200 total yards of offense, their lowest single-game total since 2018. Jaylen Raynor led the Cyclones with 98 passing yards and one touchdown, while Aiden Flora contributed 86 yards on the ground, though he was limited to 11 rushing yards before the halftime interval.
Late Fourth Quarter Response
A late spark for the Cyclones occurred in the fourth quarter after Tiger Bachmeier fumbled on a punt return, allowing Torrence Sanders to recover the ball at the BYU 49-yard line. Iowa State capitalized on this turnover when Raynor threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Christian Greenlaw. Despite the touchdown, the Cyclones finished the game with 131 total yards and seven first downs across three fourth-quarter drives.
Coach Reactions and Outlook
Following the win, BYU coach Kalani Sitake expressed confidence in Bachmeier's ability to manage the game regardless of whether the defense focused on the run or the pass. Iowa State coach Jimmy Rogers expressed frustration regarding the team's lack of competitiveness, noting the team's 3-3 record. Looking ahead, BYU will host Notre Dame on Oct. 17, while Iowa State travels to play Arizona on Oct. 24.
