IRVING, Texas — BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier has again been named Big 12 Freshman of the Week, this time for his performance in the Cougars’ 38-24 win over West Virginia on Friday. It’s the third time in five games Bachmeier has received the honor.
The 6-2, 220-pound quarterback from Murrieta, California, completed 18 of 25 passes (70.4 percent) for a career-high 351 yards and one touchdown. His 351 yards are the second-most by a freshman quarterback at BYU, only behind Tanner Mangum’s 365 yards versus Connecticut in 2015.
Bachmeier also had 43 yards rushing with a rushing score versus the Mountaineers. Bachmeier now has both a passing and rushing touchdown in three of BYU’s five wins. His 85-yard pass to Chase Roberts on Friday was the fifth longest in BYU history and the longest since 1996 when Steve Sarkisian connected on an 87-yarder against Rice.
Through five games, Bachmeier has completed 79 of 115 passes (67.7-percent) for 1,048 yards and seven touchdowns with just one interception. The true freshman is averaging 209.6 yards per game passing, with an efficiency rating of 163.6. In addition, Bachmeier is second on the team in rushing, with 49 carries for 206 yards (4.2 yards average) and five touchdowns.
Against Portland State on Aug. 30, Bachmeier 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.
BYU football will travel to Tucson, Arizona, this Saturday, Oct. 11, to take on the Arizona Wildcats. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. MST (6 p.m. MDT) at Arizona Stadium and will be broadcast on ESPN2 with Mike Couzens, Kirk Morrison and Dawn Davenport on the call.