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No. 14 BYU starts the season with a 63-7 win over Utah Tech

The Cougars had no trouble on Saturday night against the Trailblazers

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU Cougars wide receiver Legend Glasker (1) celebrates the first touchdown of the game in their NCAA college football game against Utah Tech, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU Cougars wide receiver Legend Glasker (1) celebrates the first touchdown of the game in their NCAA college football game against Utah Tech, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.

By https://author-service-images-prod-us-east-1.publishing.aws.arc.pub/sltrib/YGNQZWECGZBDBKMGVEYYVTVAWA.jpg Shreyas Laddha
 | Sep. 5, 2026, 9:25 p.m.
| Updated: Sep. 7, 2026, 7:28 a.m.

Provo • Well, that was easy.

No. 14 BYU dominated Utah Tech 63-7 in their season opener on Saturday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

At no point did the Cougars look threatened by the Trailblazers. In fact, it’s exactly the kind of showing you expect to see from a College Football Playoff hopeful against an FCS team.

Still, for the Cougars, it’s good to actually see it.

“I like the energy. I like the effort,” said BYU coach Kalani Sitake. “Some of the guys played great. The approach to the game too. I think everybody really wanted to be on the field and I liked the energy from the guys that weren’t playing.”

Sophomore BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier finished with 198 passing yards, 30 rushing yards and three total touchdowns. Meanwhile, freshman wide receiver Legend Glasker added 65 receiving yards and three total touchdowns.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah Tech, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU Cougars wide receiver Legend Glasker (1) dances in the end zone after his touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah Tech, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.

It didn’t take long for BYU’s defense to showcase its prowess. On the very first play of the season, cornerback Therrian Alexander intercepted Utah Tech quarterback CJ Tiller.

Five plays and 32 yards later, BYU got on the scoreboard when wide receiver Legend Glasker rushed for a nine-yard touchdown to give the Cougars a 7-0 lead.

After a quick three-and-out by the Trailblazers, BYU had a 13-play, 82-yard drive that ended in a five-yard passing touchdown from Bachmeier to JoJo Phillips.

With less than a minute remaining in the first quarter, Tiller fumbled the ball, and defensive end Tausili Akana recovered it.

On the first play of the second quarter, Bachmeier connected with Glasker for a 28-yard passing touchdown to give BYU a 21-0 lead.

On Utah Tech’s ensuing drive, BYU intercepted Tiller again and turned it into seven points in just five plays. Cougars running back Peyton Rex capped off the drive with a nine-yard rushing touchdown to extend BYU’s lead to 28-0.

Glasker continued to have a great day. A few minutes after BYU had scored its fourth touchdown, Bachmeier connected with Glasker for a 33-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead to 35-0.

“I told you guys. I told you guys, don’t worry about the receiver room,” Sitake said. “[Receivers coach] Fesi [Sitake] knows what he’s doing there. He saw the capabilities of what Legend can do ... and also what the other receivers can do.”

The Cougars capped off the second period with a 13-yard touchdown run by Bachmeier to put BYU up 42-0 at the half.

The Cougars kept the scoring onslaught going in the second half. In fact, Cannon Devries took the opening kickoff to the house for a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown.

BYU added another touchdown less than three minutes later when running back Journee Tonga ran for a 4-yard rushing touchdown, giving BYU up 56-0 with 12:30 left in the third period.

Utah Tech finally got on the board midway through the third quarter with a 15-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a one-yard rushing touchdown and cut the Cougars’ lead to 56-7.

A minute into the fourth period, BYU scored again. Freshman Devaughn Eka rushed for a nine-yard touchdown to put BYU up 63-7.

On the next drive, Utah Tech marched down the field and looked poised to score. Instead, BYU’s Matthias Leach intercepted QB Bronson Barben — the Cougars’ defense’s third interception on the night.

Up next: BYU will host Arizona in Provo next Saturday. The game will be broadcast on Fox at 1:15 p.m. MDT.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) BYU players run onto the field for their NCAA college football game against Utah Tech, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.

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