The freshman QB threw for one touchdown and ran for another in the win.
(BYU Athletics) Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier warms up before the first road game of his college career. Bachmeier led BYU to a win over the East Carolina Panthers on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
It was BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier’s first road test.
And the freshman passed with poise — and plenty of help from his defense.
Bachmeier completed 72% of his passes for 246 yards and a touchdown in the Cougars’ 34-13 win over East Carolina on Saturday night. He also rushed for 26 yards and a score.
“The first half, we saw him miss some throws. I know he wishes he could have those back,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. “But I think, given the environment, the hostility here, I think it was a good step for him in the right direction. And then we saw him play much better in the second half. So I think, I think he hopefully he’s turned the corner and we can get we can rely on him being a veteran now, the three games under his belt.”
Cornerback Evan Johnson, meanwhile, picked off ECU quarterback Katin Houser twice in the first half, preventing a Pirates touchdown on one goal line and giving BYU its first touchdown of the game at the other.
“I just love the way he plays,” Sitake said of Johnson. “He’s developed so nicely. It’s a really good quarterback. So I’m really proud of him and the way he played this game.”
BYU running back LJ Martin sealed the win with his first touchdown of the season. He finished the night with 101 yards on 14 carries.
The Cougars improved to 3-0 with the win.
There were some early nerves and miscues in Bachmeier’s first career road start.
The freshman quarterback found a wide-open Parker Kingston on the Cougars’ first play from scrimmage, but the wideout couldn’t get a foot in bounds. A drive later, Bachmeier appeared to fumble the football away, but the call was eventually overturned.
BYU settled for a single Will Ferrin field goal in the first quarter.
In the second, Bachmeier spotted Carsen Ryan streaking toward the stanchion, but the tight end dropped the pass in the back of the end zone. BYU again had to settle for a field goal, making it 6-3.
After a slow but safe start, Bachmeier found his groove in the second half.
He got the defense to bite on play action and hit an uncovered Carsen Ryan for a 20-yard touchdown with 6:33 to play in the third quarter.
In the fourth, Bachmeier completed seven straight passes before finishing off a drive with a 16-yard touchdown run to make it 27-6 early in the fourth quarter.
After holding Portland State and Stanford without a touchdown, BYU finally saw someone cross the goal line this season, as Houser scored on a keeper late in the game.
But it would be ECU’s only touchdown of the game.
Houser finished with 285 passing yards and two interceptions.
BYU opens its Big 12 schedule next week at Colorado.