Bear Bachmeier's career night pushes No. 8 BYU past Iowa State

PROVO – No LJ Martin, no problem.

Despite missing its top offensive player, BYU defended its home turf with a 24-10 win over Iowa State Friday night, thanks to 438 total yards from Bear Bachmeier.

The sophomore quarterback was vastly better in the passing game Friday than he was against TCU a week earlier, completing 22 passes for 329 yards and a touchdown. And with the run game missing Martin, Bachmeier helped carry the load on the ground, as well, with nine carries for a career high 109 yards.

"We know Bear can throw the ball, so I feel good about Bear throwing the ball," BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said. "Whether they take away the run or take away the pass, I trust Bear and his ability to get us in the right call and to make the right decisions.

"Bear is really talented, so we put a lot on him to make decisions, and I've just really been pleased with the way he controls the game."

Friday was also the coming-out party for Cougars tight ends Walker Lyons and Roger Saleapaga II, who were featured heavily in the pass game. Saleapaga set a career high in receiving yards with 72, while Lyons hauled in five catches for 61 yards.

"They caught a lot of balls," Sitake said. "All the people that are calling for us to utilize the tight ends can maybe slow down a little bit now."

BYU jumped out to a quick lead after executing a perfect opening drive in which Bachmeier found different receivers and picked up yards on the ground. The Cougars capped it off with a 6-yard rushing touchdown from running back Journee Tonga.

The offense stalled multiple times in the first half, with some questionable decisions to go for it on fourth down, which prevented BYU from adding to its lead over Iowa State.

Sitake decided to go for it on fourth down three different times in the game, with two tries coming near the goal line. All three tries were unsuccessful, costing the Cougars at least 6 points on the board.

"The efficiency on offense wasn't good enough," Sitake said. "We were 0-for-3 on fourth downs. I like being aggressive, but I like to see those turn into points."

After allowing a field goal, BYU forced three consecutive three-and-outs to close out the first half, which helped set up another touchdown from the offense.

Bachmeier rolled out of the pocket to find Saleapaga for a 63-yard strike. The big completion set up a 5-yard touchdown reception from Kyler Kasper to give the Cougars a two-score lead going into halftime.

With the run game virtually nonexistent outside of Bachmeier, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick relied on his quarterback's arm — and he delivered time and time again.

For the third time this season, Bachmeier hit Glasker on a deep route — this one going for 75 yards and a touchdown — to help give BYU an 18-point lead in the closing minutes of the third quarter.

Iowa State later took advantage of a short field situation, thanks to Tiger Bachmeier's second muffed punt of the game. Cyclones quarterback Jaylon Raynor then found Christian Greenlaw for a 1-yard touchdown.

"It's got to be better than that," Sitake said of muffed punts. "It felt like Tiger fielded some balls that he probably should have let go in the end zone and then muffed the one. We'll just have to keep working on it."

The Cyclones had a chance to make it a one-score game, but placekicker Kyle Konrardy's field goal try sailed wide left.

On the ensuing BYU drive, Bachmeier escaped for a 39-yard run, which helped set up a Matthias Dunn field goal ahead of one final stop by the defense to seal the game.

BYU's defense swarmed Raynor and the Iowa State offense for much of the night, and it was cornerback Tre Alexnader III who set the tone early with a big hit on a pass breakup.

"I've been saying this defense, since I've been here, is the best defense I've ever played on," Alexander said. "Honestly, I feel like this secondary is immensely talented. I feel like we're putting our best foot forward right now."

The Cougars recorded 10 pass breakups on the 13 incompletions from Raynor, showing the secondary's knack for making plays on the football and preventing the Cyclones from finding any consistent rhythm.

Bachmeier's career night and a stellar defensive performance was enough for BYU to overcome mistakes and improve to 5-0 for the third consecutive season.

The Cougars' victory now sets up a highly-anticipated matchup — and possibly the biggest home game in over 30 years — against Notre Dame next Saturday.

"We'll learn from this," Sitake said. "If we can keep getting better and keep progressing, I'll be really excited about what we can accomplish next week and ready for the game by the time Notre Dame comes into town."

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