NEW ORLEANS — BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier was today named one of the Manning Award Stars of the Week for his performance in BYU’s 41-27 win over Iowa State. The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in 2004 to honor the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning.
Bachmeier, a 6-2, 230-pound true freshman from Murrieta, California, completed 22-of-34 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns in No. 10 BYU's win at ISU. Prior to playing the Cougars, the Cyclone defense had not allowed a 300-yard passer in 21-consecutive games. Bachmeier also had 12 carries for 49 yards and a third score in the win.
Through eight games, Bachmeier has completed 126-of-201 passes (62.7 percent) for 1,693 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is averaging 211.6 yards per game passing, with an efficiency rating of 148.5. In addition, Bachmeier is second on the team in rushing, with 94 carries for 408 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and nine additional touchdowns.
Bachmeier has six games this season with both a passing touchdown 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.
A four-star high school recruit by Rivals, Bachmeier 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 before graduating.
The other quarterbacks joining Bachmeier as Manning Award Stars of the Week are Kyron Drones (Virginia Tech), Mason Heintschel (Pittsburgh), Haynes King (Georgia Tech), Brendon Lewis (Memphis), Arch Manning (Texas), Drew Mestemaker (North Texas) and Marcel Reed (Texas A&M).
Since the Manning Award started recognizing Stars of the Week in 2011, 600 different quarterbacks from 138 schools have been recognized. Fifty-four players have been honored so far in 2025. Bachmeier was added to the watch list for the Manning Award following his performance in BYU's 24-21 win over rival Utah on October 18. The Manning Award is the only quarterback award that includes the candidates’ post-season performances in its balloting.
In college, Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning combined for over 25,000 passing yards and 201 touchdowns while playing in 10 bowl games and earning four bowl MVP awards. Archie was the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft, while both Peyton and Eli were selected No. 1 overall.
No. 10 BYU has a bye this week before traveling to Lubbock, Texas to take on No. 13 Texas Tech in Jones AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 8. The game will be broadcast live on ABC or ESPN with kickoff set for 11 a.m. CT (10 a.m. MT).