Instant takeaways from No. 10 BYU’s gritty win at TCU
Oct 3, 2026, 9:49 PM
FORT WORTH, Texas — BYU football faced a lot of adversity, but still came out on top with a gritty victory over TCU.
The Cougars beat TCU 17-10 in a tough game to improve to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 play.
Bear Bachmeier put BYU on his back in the fourth quarter
It was not a pretty game throwing the football for Bear Bachmeier and the BYU offense. TCU completely stifled BYU’s passing attack as Bachmeier went 11-of-24 for 62 passing yards.
However, it all turned on the ground in the fourth quarter in particular. With eight minutes to go, BYU football took over after a missed field goal.
Bear Bachmeier willed BYU to a victory on a 10-play touchdown drive that was capped off by a 21-yard touchdown run.
The lack of a passing attack was concerning, but Bear’s ability to win a game and be a gamer was on full display.
If LJ Martin is out for any additional games, it changes BYU’s entire outlook for the season
BYU running back LJ Martin left the game in the first quarter. He was in and out of the medical tent and never returned to the field. Martin was listed as dealing with a lower-body injury.
If Martin has to miss future action, the outlook for BYU football drastically changes this season.
BYU continues to have issues offensively coming out of bye weeks
In the Big 12 era, BYU has struggled coming out of bye weeks. They have a 4-2 record, but their offense has struggled.
Since joining the Big 12, BYU averages 22 points per game in games coming out of a bye.
That average went down after Saturday night’s 17-point performance against TCU.
Nusi Taumoepeau put together his best performance this season
Nusi Taumoepeau, a sophomore EDGE rusher, dealt with an injury in fall camp and was limited throughout camp. He played sparingly against Utah Tech and Colorado State, and had a solid game against Arizona. However, tonight was his best performance of the season.
Taumoepeau looked to be back to full strength with a five-tackle, one sack, and 1.5 tackles for loss in the win.
TCU’s missed field goal allowed BYU to close out the game
With 8:04 remaining in the game, TCU kicker Nate McCashland attempted a 46-yard field goal, and from the moment he kicked it, you could tell it was going to be short, as it had no power.
TCU’s top kicker has been out since the Week 0 game against North Carolina. That proved costly.
BYU’s offense then took over with 8:01 remaining in the game, and quarterback Bear Bachmeier put the team on his back with some physical runs.
Then Journee Tonga popped off a shifty run in the red zone, followed by Bear finding the end zone on a 21-yard score.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSL 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.
