Instant Takeaways From BYU’s Home Victory Over Stanford
Sep 6, 2025, 11:43 PM
Brigham Young University Cougars linebacker Jack Kelly (17) forces a fumble from Stanford Cardinal quarterback Ben Gulbranson (15) during the first half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
(Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – BYU football opens the 2025 season with a 2-0 record. The Cougars defeated Stanford by a score of 27-3
It wasn’t a flawless night, but it was a win.
BYU vs. Stanford crowd: 64,692
Largest crowd at LaVell Edwards Stadium since the Utah game in 2007. pic.twitter.com/R9JPWPItKJ
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
Here are some instant takeaways from BYU’s late-night victory in front of a crowd of 64,692 fans, the largest crowd at LaVell Edwards Stadium since the 2007 rivalry game against Utah.
BYU’s defense in 2025 has the potential to be one of the best in program history
Look, that’s a bold statement. It might sound like hyperbole. However, this defense under Jay Hill is off to a dominant start.
The two offenses they’ve faced to start the season have been ineffective, but BYU is suffocating them.
Stanford practically waved the white flag, settling for a field goal with 10:31 remaining instead of chasing a touchdown while down 24 points. They opted to avoid the shutout and grab points.
Stanford’s field goal ended BYU’s scoreless streak to open the season at nine quarters.
BYU’s defense was all over Stanford quarterback Ben Gulbranson.
Senior outside edge rusher Logan Lutui, linebackers Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker, and defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa were all over Stanford’s offensive backfield on Saturday night.
What’s impressive is that BYU’s depth was tested with linebacker Choe Bryant-Strother being ruled out with an injury. The Cougars turned to Max Alford as the backup to Siale Esera and created some strong pressure to open up Keanu Tanuvasa for his first sack.
Raider Damuni recorded an interception, showcasing better speed than people give him credit for, and sophomore Faletau Satuala generated a safety.
Satuala closed out his career night with an interception in the fourth quarter with 2:38 to go in the game.
Even on nights when the offense goes sideways in stretches, the defense is good enough to generate short fields and points to provide a spark.
BYU’s offense had too many missed opportunities in the first half
BYU had four drives start at midfield or in Stanford territory during the first half, and in those four drives, the Cougars came away with six points.
BYU had four drives in the first half that started at midfield or in Stanford territory.
In those four drives, BYU scored six points.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
A Keayen Nead holding penalty negated a Parker Kingston rushing touchdown from the Stanford five-yard line after Jack Kelly’s forced fumble. That penalty put BYU behind the sticks, allowing Stanford to bring some pressure with Tevarua Tafita.
BYU was forced to settle for a field goal.
On the series before that, BYU opened the drive on the Stanford 18 after a Raider Damuni interception. The drive started with a pass for a loss of five yards.
BYU settled for a field goal by Will Ferrin there, too.
The offensive playbook looked catered to a true freshman, and it didn’t appear to be opened much in the first half.
BYU had a 131-yard advantage over Stanford, but they only went into the halftime break with a 14-0 lead on four scores.
BYU might have new return men on special teams
For the second consecutive week, Parker Kingston had a fumbled punt return.
That fumble was combined with a dropped pass over the middle in the receiving game.
BYU made a change in the return game, turning to Cody Hagen and Sione Moa as kick returns and former Stanford Cardinal Tiger Bachmeier on punt return.
Both Hagen and Bachmeier each had 44-yard returns in place of Kingston.
With Kingston’s fumble issues to open the season, paired with the impressive returns from Hagen and Bachmeier, there might be a permanent change in the return game.
Good things happen when LJ Martin gets the rock
Through two games, LJ Martin has reached the 100-yard rushing mark in both games.
For the second consecutive week, LJ Martin reached the 100-yard rushing mark.
Martin reaches 100 yards in 14 carries tonight. pic.twitter.com/c5BU2uHyGu
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
The junior ball carrier from El Paso, Texas, is putting together big performances to open this season.
Martin’s physicality and ability to shed tackles have been a sight to see this season.
When he gets the ball, more times than not, something good is going to happen for BYU.
Offense has areas to improve entering the bye week
Finishing drives with touchdowns will be an area where BYU needs to improve, entering the bye week.
The balance between passing and rushing yards looks solid on paper, but how much of the playbook is BYU calling for Bear Bachmeier in the passing game?
Bachmeier’s deep shot for a gain of 40 yards to Chase Roberts in the fourth quarter was a step in the right direction, which could generate some momentum entering the bye. But they need to be more potent through the air.
The offensive line has areas that need improvement and correction. The absence of starting left guard Weylin Lapuaho to injury has been a bigger deal than expected. BYU allowed three sacks to Stanford’s defense.
What’s concerning is that one of Bachmeier’s top targets, Jojo Phillips, left the game at the end of the first half with a sling.
There will be growing pains with a true freshman; that was to be expected. But it’s better to navigate those ups and downs in a win than in a loss. Also, you can’t be upset with zero interceptions and no turnovers as a whole.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
