No. 18 BYU Remains Undefeated After Completing OT Comeback Against Arizona

Oct 11, 2025, 11:22 PM | Updated: Oct 12, 2025, 4:41 am

TUCSON, Arizona – No. 18 BYU football withstood a rain storm and a tough Arizona Wildcat team to escape Arizona with a 33-27 double-overtime thriller in the desert.

Bear Bachmeier tossed two interceptions but came up big late, finishing with 89 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.

LJ Martin added 162 yards and a TD while averaging 6.5 yards per carry.

COUGS WIN A THRILLER IN DOUBLE OVERTIME!! pic.twitter.com/gjciztglTG

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 12, 2025

The Cougars have won five straight matchups against Arizona.

The Cougars survive double OT to stay undefeated and become bowl eligible ‼️@BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/FMKJTfqoS0

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 12, 2025

BYU leads the all-time series 14-12-1 and is 7-8-1 on the road.

BYU football players who are “OUT” for the Arizona game

WR Jojo Phillips
RB Sione Moa
LB Choe Bryant-Strother
CB Marcus McKenzie
DT Anisi Purcell

Linebacker Jack Kelly was upgraded to questionable on Friday after being listed on the injury update as doubtful all week long.

Pregame

College Gameday picks for BYU vs. Arizona

Clean sweep in favor of the Cougs. pic.twitter.com/WUIaWAwjfg

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 11, 2025

We’ve got rain in Tucson 🌧️ pic.twitter.com/zqlWaN6Tau

— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) October 11, 2025

BYU linebackers Isaiah Glasker and Jack Kelly arriving at Arizona Stadium. pic.twitter.com/5fVid4kupB

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 11, 2025

BYU LB Jack Kelly is officially listed as a “game time decision” on the final availability report. pic.twitter.com/QkxtRHXRb6

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 11, 2025

BYU cornerback Jonathan Kabeya is going through pregame warmups.

Kabeya hasn’t played yet this season. pic.twitter.com/As7UMJtU0E

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 11, 2025

🔵 ⚪️ 🔵

What are your thoughts on this BYU uniform combination? pic.twitter.com/siACkESCiu

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 11, 2025

In the words of Gus Johnson in last year’s BYU-Arizona game, “America, this is how we do.” pic.twitter.com/kkTIADXf5F

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 11, 2025

Jack Kelly is not suited up. pic.twitter.com/s9KoJgXewP

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

First Quarter

Two running backs lined up on the first snap for BYU.

LJ Martin and PReston Rex.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Following back-to-back punts to begin the night, BYU took over at its own 34 for the second possession.

Both defenses showed up to open this game.

Bear has got to live to see another day on that third down.

Strong pass rush from BYU's defense on the opening series.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

LJ Martin was the bell cow, carrying four times on the drive, and Preston Rex got his first offensive touch, a 16-yard catch and run.

Big third-down catch for Preston Rex to give BYU a first down. Gain of 16 yards.

First reception of his BYU career.

Talented athlete out of San Clemente, California.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Rex’s catch set up Martin for a 28-yard scamper that gave the Cougars a 7-0 lead with 8:55 left in the period.

LJ Martin is looking good. BYU is on the board first. pic.twitter.com/RS1JefM8qT

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

If you don't stack the box against LJ Martin, he will make you pay.

Through two offensive drives against Arizona:

5 carries
49 yards
1 TD
9.8 yards per carry

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Nice and Easy @aLJayMartin

📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/b3KohXIEQl

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 12, 2025

BYU starting safety Raider Damuni is being attended to by five trainers.

Kalani Sitake and Raider's father, Jack Damuni, are also on the field.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

A collision with teammate Siale Esera injured Cougar safety Raider Damuni, who went into the medical tent after being tended to by training staff on the field.

Strong start for BYU MLB Siale Esera.

He was locked in during the pregame warmups. Already has three tackles.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Bang. Bear to Kingston. TD.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

75-yard touchdown completion. Explosive TD for BYU.

Arizona's defense gives up a passing touchdown for the first time this season.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

The Cougar defense forced Arizona to punt for the second time, taking over with 6:33 left.

Three plays later, Bear Bachmeier hit Parker Kingston with a dart across the middle, and the former Roy Royal sprinted away from the defense for a 75-yard TD. It was Kingston’s second touchdown catch of the year after scoring twice against West Virginia.

PK said "see ya later ✌️"

📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/paUtFlbojX

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 12, 2025

Arizona responds with a touchdown drive.

Beasley in coverage on Hutson.

Eight-play, 75-yard drive for the Wildcats.

BYU's lead cut to 14-7.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Rain Delay

Due to lightning in the area, we are now under a weather delay. We ask that fans please exit the seating area and seek shelter.

We will provide updates as they become available.

— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) October 12, 2025

🌧️ ⛈️ pic.twitter.com/k9u9SuXQ2a

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Fans waiting in the concourse during the weather delay BYU-Arizona at Arizona Stadium. pic.twitter.com/88r7VazmmQ

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Arizona Stadium has lifted the re-entry policy to allow fans to go to their vehicles during the weather delay. pic.twitter.com/xuSDyDwHaI

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Clock is running, counting down to getting this game back in action. pic.twitter.com/sZRmfWg21X

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

BYU and Arizona are back on the field. ❕

6:56 p.m. Arizona time pic.twitter.com/l7LQFuLbvS

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Total delay for BYU-Arizona: 1 hour, 14 minutes

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Second Quarter

Halftime was reduced to 12 minutes following the 74-minute weather delay.

BYU dials up a fake punt on 4th & 9 from their own 37 coming out of the long weather delay.

Sam Vander Haar took off and ran with the ball, but came up three yards short.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Targeting Keanu Tanuvasa. He's ejected.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Arizona’s first drive of the half ended with a 24-yard field goal to make the score 14-10.

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LJ Martin is averaging 8.5 ypc on his first 10 carries of the game.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Usually sure-footed BYU kicker Will Ferrin missed a 42-yard FG attempt. It marked his third miss in the past three games.

Noah Fifita completes a 35-yard touchdown to Chris Hunter. Excellent pass.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Bachmeier threw an interception to end the half, trailing 17-14.

Halftime: Arizona 17, BYU 14

Wildcats scored 17 unanswered after BYU had a 14-0 lead to start the game.

Arizona is outscoring BYU 10-0 since the weather delay concluded.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Only a 12-minute halftime

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Halftime: Arizona 17, BYU 14 pic.twitter.com/ORr2MriVrw

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Third Quarter

No targeting. But I'm still surprised that's a roughing the passer. Isaiah Glasker stays in the game.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

BYU needs to clean up the offside penalties on defense. For the second time tonight, Lutui has been called for that.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

The Cougar defense surrendered 20 penalty yards on a drive Arizona pushed into the red zone. On 4th and four from the five-yard line, Fifita was pressured repeatedly before lofting a pass that was picked off by Isaiah Glasker, shy of the goal line.

Breakthrough moment for Tausili Akana as a BYU Cougar.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Tausili Akana brings the heat on Noah Fifita on fourth down, Fifita throws it up, and Glasker picks it off.

BYU's defense gets a stop inside the red zone.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

. @isaiahglasker playing center field

📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/q7nEy6OTr4

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 12, 2025

Faletau Satuala is a playmaker. Nice TFL.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

High snap to Bear Bachmeier. Bear recovers the ball when it hits the turf, tries to make a play by throwing a pass while rolling to his right, and is picked off.

Tough way to end the third quarter for BYU.

Arizona 17, BYU 14

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Fourth Quarter

A completion short of the sticks set up a 4th and short with 11:37 left.

Arizona’s attempt to extend the drive ended up scoring a touchdown when Kendrick Reescano broke a tackle and ran 36 yards to the end zone.

BYU's defense couldn't get the stops on the money downs.

Arizona picked up first downs four times on 3rd and 4th downs during that touchdown drive.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Bachmeier led a 15-play possession that took more than seven minutes of game time. The 69-yard drive resulted in a 24-yard Will Ferrin field goal.

What a ball from Bear Bachmeier to Parker Kingston on 4th & 7 to keep the drive alive. BYU is on the move.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

BYU killed so much clock to decide on a field goal. They let the play clock run down to one second.

Will Ferrin boots a 24-yard field goal to cap off a 15-play, seven-minute drive.

Arizona 24, BYU 17 – 4:08 remaining.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

After the defense forced an Arizona punt, Parker Kingston returned the kick into Wildcat territory with a 26-yard return and 2:55 left.

Parker Kingston has BYU in business. Cougs take over in Arizona territory.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Touchdown, Bear Bachmeier! pic.twitter.com/WsF3pCCmT7

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

BEAR BACHMEIER TAKES IT HIMSELF TO SEND BYU-ARIZONA TO OT 😱

Watch now on ESPN2 and the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/RQRtq1XJ3E

— ESPN (@espn) October 12, 2025

Arizona opts to take a knee with two timeouts remaining and send the game to overtime.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

Overtime

BYU’s defense stiffened to open the extra period. The Cougars limited Arizona to a field goal after a quick start to the OT drive.

pic.twitter.com/leMTUNQ7A6

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 12, 2025

BYU resorted to a 45-yard Ferrin FG after going backwards on two of three plays.

Massive kick by Will Ferrin. The good vibes are back for BYU’s star kicker.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

BYU took the ball first in the second OT session.

OC Aaron Roderick kept the football on the ground, opting for a quartet of running plays before Bachmeier scored from seven yards out.

BYU led 33-27 after the two-point conversion was knocked away.

Bear is a tough dude.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

6-0 pic.twitter.com/JPEe9rRTPc

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 12, 2025

THE COUGARS TAKE DOWN ARIZONA IN 2OT TO STAY PERFECT‼️

BYU completes its first fourth quarter double-digit comeback since 2015 👏 pic.twitter.com/0FHZOvTpPO

— ESPN (@espn) October 12, 2025