Defense Dominates In BYU’s Near-Shutout Of Stanford
Sep 6, 2025, 11:39 PM
PROVO, Utah – The BYU Cougars stole the show on Saturday night, controlling the action from the opening kick in a 27-3 BYU football win.
The Cougars head into their first bye week at 2-0. Stanford drops to 0-2.
2-0. pic.twitter.com/XBRZKKj7zF
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 7, 2025
BYU is riding high after knocking off Portland State last week by a score of 69-0.
True freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier was impressive in his debut, which only included one half of play.
Bachmeier will face off against his former team today. The Murrieta, California native initially signed with Stanford out of high school and competed in spring practices on The Farm during the spring quarter.
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Two BYU vs Stanford Questions entering game day
1. What wrinkles will Stanford and Frank Reich throw at BYU?
Stanford has talent. This is a significant step up in terms of challenges from what Portland State posed last week.
If you look at the 247Sports Team Talent rankings, Stanford ranks at No. 46, while BYU is at No. 70.
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said his team needed to be “overprepared” for this week’s game as Stanford comes into the matchup off a bye week. On top of that, Stanford’s first opponent, Hawaii, was an Air Raid team. That scheme doesn’t translate much to what BYU does.
The Cardinal don’t have much to lose in this game as they still have ACC play to circle the wagons down the road. Why not throw some new wrinkles that potentially catch BYU off guard?
Portland State did that for a series that had minimal success before BYU snuffed out the 13- and 14-personnel formations, along with a different quarterback.
But this is a former NFL coach, Frank Reich, leading the Cardinal. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a few tricks up his sleeve to catch BYU off guard.
2. Will BYU’s special teams extend its touchdown streak?
BYU’s special teams live up to their name. Last week, a blocked field goal by John Taumoepeau led to Jack Kelly gathering the loose ball and returning it for a touchdown.
It was the third consecutive game that BYU’s special teams had scored a touchdown, dating back to last season.
The last game BYU’s special teams didn’t score a touchdown was against Arizona State in Tempe.
Pregame
Extended BYU football pregame coverage begins at 6 pm on @kslnewsradio. pic.twitter.com/2urC9bwSlW
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 6, 2025
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Kalani Sitake is in mid season form with his pregame dance moves. pic.twitter.com/XyTEd1dkzH
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
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RELATED: Former BYU AD Tom Holmoe Honored At Football Game Against Stanford
Former BYU AD Tom Holmoe is tonight’s “Y Lighter.” pic.twitter.com/bZXQwmPc6R
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
Out for tonight's game:
OL Weylin Lapuaho
RB Enoch Nawahine
WR Tei Nacua
DL Justin Kirkland
LB Choe Bryant-Strother
CB Jonathan Kabeya#BYUFootball— BYU Game Notes (@BYUGameNotes) September 7, 2025
First Quarter
Bear Bachmeier's 3rd & 5 run was ruled short by a yard. Watching it live, it looked like Bear picked it up. After a review, it's still 4th & 1.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
Turnover on downs for BYU's first offensive series from the Stanford 40-yard line.
Stanford's Matt Rose generates some pressure on Bear Bachmeier, forcing the incomplete pass.
BYU is always aggressive, but it wouldn't have been the worst idea to attempt a 57-yard Ferrin FG.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
RELATED: Bear Bachmeier Trucks Stanford Defender For TD
Impressive six-play, 85-yard drive by BYU.
As you would expect, LJ Martin picked up a huge gain of 47 yards to get the drive rolling.
BYU 6, Stanford 0 – 3:25 remaining 1st
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
Raider Damuni with the interception on the overthrow from Stanford's Ben Gulbranson.
Great speed from Damuni on the return to gain some yardage and put BYU's offense in the red zone.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
BYU outgained Stanford 116-31 in total yards during the first quarter.
Bear Bachmeier was 6-of-8 for 33 passing yards to go along with five carries for eight yards and one touchdown on the ground.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
End of the First Quarter
BYU – 6
Stanford – 0 pic.twitter.com/7bdTT9LwbN— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 7, 2025
Second Quarter
Stanford had a lot of success two weeks ago at Hawaii with long drives. That hasn't happened through one quarter.
BYU's time of possession is at 10:28, while Stanford only had possession for 4:32 in the first quarter.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
BYU kicker Will Ferrin boots a 36-yard field goal to open the second quarter.
He's made 19 consecutive field goals.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
Excellent tackle on the kickoff by BYU linebacker Ace Kaufusi.
Stanford starts at its own 18-yard line.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
A lot of Evan "Shmev" Johnson and Tre Alexander tonight at cornerback.
Mory Bamba is on the sideline, suited up, and has been holding his helmet throughout the first half.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
Jack Kelly is an absolute unit at linebacker—his instincts and speed on full display to force the fumble on Ben Gulbranson.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
Stanford's Tevarua Tafiti with a blindside sack on third down on Bear Bachmeier. He was untouched. BYU has allowed two sacks tonight.
The sack plus the holding penalty on first down prevents BYU from finding the end zone after the forced fumble by Jack Kelly.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
Good defensive series for Utah State transfer Max Alford.
With Choe Bryant-Strother out, Alford moves up the depth chart at MLB.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
He's back to his old ways: Marcus McKenzie, the punt team gunner.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
RELATED: BYU Defense Pressures Stanford Into First-Half Safety
SAFETY!
BYU's Faletau Satuala was the first defender to hit Marcus Brown on the reception. Cougar defense is lights out tonight.
BYU leads 14-0.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
BYU's path to 14 points tonight against Stanford:
– Bear Bachmeier 3-yard TD (2PT failed)
– Will Ferrin 36-yard FG
– Will Ferrin 30-yard FG
– Faletau Satuala SAFETY— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
Penalties and Stanford's pressure. BYU's offense is at a complete halt.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
Isaiah Glasker. What a sack.
NFL, take note. pic.twitter.com/H7j0k6Kblr
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
For the second consecutive week, Parker Kingston has had a fumbled punt return. This time, BYU recovered. Close call.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
BYU's Bear Bachmeier gets sacked by Clay Patterson on 3rd down, putting BYU out of field goal range.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
Halftime: BYU 14, Stanford 0.
In the first six quarters of the season, BYU's defense has allowed zero points.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
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
Third Quarter
BYU opens the second half with a 13-play, 72-yard drive.
But it results in another Will Ferrin field goal after Roberts dropped a quick screen pass from the Stanford 3-yard line.
BYU 17, Stanford 0 – 3rd Quarter
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
Another one.
Cougs lead 17-0. pic.twitter.com/uVydXfLvXO
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 7, 2025
BYU DL Viliami Po'uha goes down, limps off the field with trainers next to him. Po'uha is now in the medical tent.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
Tiger Bachmeier steps in at punt returner.
Bachmeier pops off a big return of 44 yards against his old team.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
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
First touchdown run of the season for BYU sophomore Sione Moa.
BYU's offensive line showed its strength on that drive.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2025
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
good from twenty three.
Cougs up 27-3. pic.twitter.com/TYJbPxbfmL
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 7, 2025
Postgame Show
BYU vs. Stanford recap on KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM), sports.ksl.com, and the KSL Sports app.
Follow Big 12 Football with KSL Sports
Find BYU’s entire 2025 football schedule here.
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.
