BYU shuts down East Carolina; enters Big 12 play with 3-0 record

If there was any feeling that BYU might be walking into a trap in Greenville, N.C. on Saturday night, the Cougar defense put those feelings to rest.

It was the Cougars that came out on top against the Pirates 34-13. BYU will now head into Big 12 play with an undefeated 3-0 record.

Going into Saturday's game, BYU was the only team in the FBS to not allow a touchdown. That record got tested in the second quarter, when the Pirates found themselves in the red zone trailing 6-3.

On 2nd-and-goal on the BYU 6-yard line, ECU quarterback Katin Houser scrambled right and tried to bullet a pass to Anthony Smith. That's when BYU cornerback Evan Johnson came up clutch with a huge snag in the end zone. The touchdown-less streak lived on.

On the first play of the following Pirate drive, backed up on their own one-yard line, Johnson read the eyes of Houser perfectly, picking the ball off and walking in for the score. BYU led 13-3, just moments after it seemed the Pirates would take the lead.

It was back-to-back plays with an interception for BYU's CB1. His first two interceptions of the season.

The defense was by far the star of the first half, but it was the offense that for the first time this season — not including the week one performance against FCS team Portland State — truly wowed.

True freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier was 9-for-11 in the second half for 120 passing yards and two touchdowns — one rushing and one passing.

He played a near perfect half, but more importantly, he played his best half of college football in his young career. This time, against a more difficult opponent in his first road game.

"I'm really happy with our quarterback," BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said immediately following the win. "He made great decisions. It wasn't perfect, but man, this was a really good step for him in the right direction. We're excited about what he can do next week."

Senior captain and NFL Draft hopeful Chase Roberts and transfer tight end Carsen Ryan were Bachmeier's two favorite targets. Roberts finished the game with five receptions and 97 yards, while Ryan hauled in five catches for 55 yards and a touchdown.

When asked about the difficulty of playing in a hostile environment, Bachmeier credited BYU fans who carved out a nice royal blue corner in the sea of purple and gold.

"We got the best fans in the country so they made it like a home game," Bachmeier said.

Photo by BYU Photo

BYU running back LJ Martin also joined in on the second half offensive party, rushing for a 41-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter for his first touchdown in 2025. His 101 yards marked the third straight game with 100 yards this season.

While the Cougar defense's touchdown streak eventually came to an end in the fourth quarter, the second half showed what BYU can look like when all three units are clicking.

Next week, the Cougars will travel to Boulder, Colo., where they will take on Colorado on the road for the first time since 1981.