Instant takeaways from No. 8 BYU’s solid win over Iowa State
Oct 9, 2026, 11:43 PM | Updated: Oct 10, 2026, 12:02 am
PROVO — BYU football improves to 5-0 overall this season after defeating Iowa State, 24-10, on Friday night.
Instant takeaways from the win as the Cougars now turn their attention to a game next week against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Bear Bachmeier had a strong bounce-back performance through the air
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier struggled passing the ball last week against TCU. He completed below 50% of his passes last week. Was that going to be a growing trend?
He put any of that talk to rest on Friday night.
Bachmeier was efficient through the air on Friday, and for the second consecutive year, he put up more than 300 yards through the air against Iowa State.
BYU got Bachmeier in a rhythm early with quick screens, then he was on fire, connecting with Kyler Kasper and Legend Glasker.
There was only one poor throw from Bachmeier the entire night: a ball that was low and thrown behind Kasper. Other than that, he had an outstanding performance through the air.
Fourth-down miscues prevented this game from being a blowout
BYU has yet to convert a fourth-down attempt this season.
They are now 0-for-4, with three of those misses happening on Friday night against Iowa State. The other was before the half against TCU last week.
BYU’s first fourth-down miscue was in the second quarter from the Iowa State five-yard line. BYU attempted back-to-back pass attempts, one to Reggie Frischknecht on third down, incomplete. Then on fourth down, an attempt for Legend Glasker, and they couldn’t connect.
With BYU up 7-0, it would have made sense to go for the points with a field goal and make it a two-possession game. ESPN analytics during the broadcast on Friday said to kick the field goal.
The following offensive drive at the Iowa State 46-yard line, freshman running back Journee Tonga was stuffed on 4th & 1.
It was a harsh reminder of the impact of LJ Martin’s injury.
Then, on BYU’s first offensive drive in the third quarter, they initially settled for a field goal that was made by Matthias Dunn, but Iowa State committed an offsides penalty. Kalani Sitake immediately signaled to the offense to get back in the game on fourth down.
BYU lined up in shotgun on 4th & 1, and it was a pass attempt that was incomplete.
Legend Glasker always comes through
The legend of BYU freshman Legend Glasker keeps growing. In the third quarter, with the game at a slog of a pace with BYU comfortably in control, but not reflecting much on the scoreboard at 14-3, Bear Bachmeier connected with Glasker with a deep 75-yard touchdown pass to break the game open.
BYU then led 21-3 after that touchdown grab.
It was eerily similar to the catch against Arizona, a 61-yarder, four weeks ago in BYU’s last home game.
Glasker continues to be the home run receiver who, at any moment, can break a game open.
In the fourth quarter, Glasker hauled in a shovel pass and broke it for an explosive nine-yard gain to get BYU near midfield after a touchdown drive by Iowa State.
Anytime the former Lehi High star touches the rock, there’s a feeling he has the potential to make something special happen. He’s already a star for BYU.
BYU needs to reshuffle the pecking order at punt returner
BYU football was without Cannon Devries on Friday night. The star punt returner was sporting a boot on the sideline, so BYU went in another direction in the return game.
They turned to Tiger Bachmeier as they did in Fort Worth last week. The older brother of star QB Bear Bachmeier struggled in the return game.
He fielded inside the five that hit the turf and forced BYU to start a drive in the first half from their own one-yard line.
Then in the fourth quarter, with BYU appearing to pull away at 21-3 and Iowa State punting away, Bachmeier muffed a punt return, giving the Cyclones some new life as they took over near midfield.
Iowa State capitalized and scored a touchdown following that muffed punt.
During fall camp, BYU’s top punt returner options were DeVries, Bachmeier, Preston Rex, Legend Glasker, and Evan Johnson.
Bear Bachmeier is going to lead the way on the ground while LJ Martin is out
It was a running back by committee for BYU football in the first full game without LJ Martin. BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick spread out the carries among Journee Tonga, Preston Rex (who got the start), and Devaughn Eka.
But ultimately, the man who is going to lead the way for BYU is Bear Bachmeier.
Bachmeier put up over 100 yards on the ground. He reached the century mark late in the fourth quarter with a 39-yard run.
It’s the first time in Bachmeier’s career that he has reached 100 yards rushing in a game.
Keanu Tanuvasa had one of his best games as a BYU Cougar
Fifth-year defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa was outstanding in the win over Iowa State. The Cyclones had no answer for the former Utah transfer. He was the dominant force everyone expected when he transferred to BYU from the rival Utes.
Tanuvasa finished the game with four tackles, two tackles for loss, and two pass breakups.
If BYU gets that level of production from Tanuvasa every week, it’s a significant boost to the defense, opening up their speedy edge rushers and linebackers to make plays. It will also mean Tanuvasa hears his name called as a high NFL draft pick next April.
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.
