IRVING, Texas — BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier has been named Big 12 Freshman of the Week for his performance in the Cougars’ 24-21 win over rival Utah on Saturday. It’s the fifth time in seven games that Bachmeier has received the honor.
The 6-2, 230-pound true freshman quarterback from Murrieta, California, completed 13 of 22 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 64 yards and another score to lead then No. 15-ranked BYU to victory over No. 23 Utah. Facing 3rd-and-11 with 4:33 to play in the game, Bachmeier scored on a 22-yard run to put the Cougars ahead for good, 24-14. It was the longest rushing touchdown of his career and his eighth rushing score of the year.
Through seven games, Bachmeier has completed 104 of 166 passes (63.7-percent) for 1,386 yards and nine touchdowns. The true freshman is averaging 198 yards per game passing, with an efficiency rating of 147.1. In addition, Bachmeier is second on the team in rushing, with 82 carries for 417 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and eight additional touchdowns.
Bachmeier has five games this season with both a passing score and rushing score, the most in the FBS. Against Portland State on Aug. 30, he became the first true freshman quarterback ever to start a season opener for BYU.
Bachmeier was a four-star high school recruit by Rivals and was ranked as high as the No. 11 quarterback in the nation by ESPN. While at Murrieta Valley High School, he totaled 6,810 passing yards to go with 59 touchdowns, 1,724 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns. Bachmeier earned four varsity letters in football, alongside lettering in both baseball and basketball.
After enrolling at Stanford for 2025 spring football practices, Bachmeier transferred to BYU this summer along with his brother, Tiger, who played two seasons for the Cardinal.
No. 11/10 (AP/AFCA) BYU travels to Ames, Iowa, this week to take on Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 2:30 p.m. CT (1:30 p.m. MT). The game will be broadcast live on FOX with Jason Benetti, Robert Griffin III and Alexa Landestoy on the call.