Bear Bachmeier threw for three touchdowns and ran for two others in his collegiate debut to lead BYU to a 69-0 victory over Portland State in Provo, Utah, on Saturday night.
Bachmeier became the first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener for BYU. He won the job in fall camp after transferring from Stanford following spring practices. He finished with 97 yards on 7-of-11 passing and added 32 yards on the ground.
BYU (1-0) churned out 468 yards and five touchdowns on the ground while averaging 9.8 yards per carry. LJ Martin led the way with 131 yards on eight carries.
Portland State (0-2) struggled to find any life on offense for the second straight game. The Vikings averaged just 1.2 yards per play. CJ Jordan led Portland State with 58 yards on 8-of-14 passing.
Jack Kelly returned a blocked field goal 54 yards for BYU’s first touchdown with 3:58 left in the first quarter. Kelly helped the Cougars overcome a special teams gaffe after Parker Kingston fumbled at the end of a 15-yard punt return, giving Portland State the ball at the BYU 37.
BYU extended the lead to 14-0 on the final play of the first quarter when Bachmeier found Chase Roberts on a 4-yard strike.
The floodgates broke wide open in the second quarter.
BYU added five more touchdowns to take a 49-0 halftime lead while reeling off one big play after another. Cody Hagen scored on a 57-yard reverse — his first career carry for the Cougars. Later, Bachmeier plowed across the goal line on a 4-yard run after John Taumoepeau recovered a fumble at the Portland State 6 and also scored on a 12-yard sprint. Additionally, he threw touchdown passes to Noah Moeaki and Carsen Ryan.
BYU totaled 287 yards in the second quarter, averaging 13.7 yards per play.
