BYU shuts out Portland State in anticlimactic — but expected — season opener

Was there ever any doubt?

An 11-win Big 12 team with a dominant defense playing in its home opener against an FCS team that lost 42-0 to Tarleton State last week. It went how you would expect.

In a game that saw the Cougars start a true freshman at quarterback in a season opener for the first time in school history, BYU dominated the Portland State Vikings 69-0, putting up some monster numbers along the way.

Photo by Sienna Puckrin

All eyes were on BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier going into Saturday's game at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The freshman quarterback, who wears an eye-catching No. 47 on his jersey, was thrust into the starting role after former starter Jake Retzlaff transferred away from the program this summer.

Statistically, Bachmeier had an incredibly efficient game, but was helped out a lot by great starting field positions, and big plays by his teammates.

At one point in the fist half, Bachmeier had 35 total yards and 3 total touchdowns. He was averaging a touchdown every 15 yards and was on track to be the most efficient quarterback in BYU history — nay, the history of the sport. The score was 35-0. Bachmeier's first career touchdown pass came on the last play of the first quarter, when he threw a quick ball to senior receiver Chase Roberts for a four-yard touchdown to put BYU up 14-0.

After an impressive run and leap into the end zone to put the Cougars up 49-0 at halftime, head coach Kalani Sitake pulled the plug on Bachmeier, going with three backup quarterbacks for the rest of the game.

"I thought he did a great job," BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said about his quarterback. "Overall I thought he had a good demeanor about him, I thought he had a great presence. The guys felt really good about him leading the offense."

Photo by Sienna Puckrin

There were a few dangerous throws that put the ball in position to be picked off, but those can be expected from a true freshman. Overall, Bachmeier did exactly what he needed to do in this game.

He finished the first half 7-for-11 with 97 pass yards, 32 rush yards and five total touchdowns.

"It was a surreal moment," Bachmeier said about rushing out to 60,000-plus fans. "You see blue all around you, and your heart starts beating a little."

Besides Bachmeier's solid start to his career, the Cougars put a pounding on the Vikings, especially on the run and on defense.

Running back LJ Martin was the best player on the field in the first half, and in only eight carries had a career-high in ruching yards (131). He broke one run off for 49 yards in the first quarter, which would have been a season-high for him in 2024.

Photo by Miles Romney

Even outside of Martin, BYU's run-game was as close to perfect as a team can get. The 267 rushing yards in the first half was more than any game all last season. The Cougars finished with a whopping 468 rush yards, compared to Portland State's -5.

Wide receiver Cody Hagen broke off one run for a 54-yard touchdown, showing off his blazing quick speed that won him the Utah 200-meter title in high school. He is a new weapon that could be very helpful to the Cougars' offense in 2025.

The defense picked up where they left off, not letting the Vikings get an inch. When the Vikings actually got an inch, the Cougars' special teams took it away. Lining up for a 56-yard field goal attempt, BYU stuffed it at the line, and captain linebacker Jack Kelly did the rest, running it back for a 54-yard touchdown. Kelly's first in his BYU career.

And just for kicks and giggles, Will Ferrin nailed a 56-yard field goal — that still would have been good from five yards back —, tying a school record for longest field goal ever and extending his field goal streak to 18 makes in a row.

It was a great game if you were a student in the BYU's ROC, but ultimately, there was little to learn from this opener outside of depth chart preferences from the coaching staff.

Next week's home game against Stanford will be a lot more telling of BYU's ability on the field.