Bear Bachmeier’s ascent to the top of BYU’s depth chart has generally been accompanied by strong performances, both for individual and team. Facing hated rival No. 2 Utah on Saturday, the sophomore standout suffered a major setback.
The Cougars fell 28-20 to their cross-state foe on Saturday afternoon. Bachmeier’s error-filled performance was perhaps the largest contributing factor to the loss. The BYU star gave the ball away more times than most during the fixture, effectively robbing the Cougars of points against one of college football’s stingiest defenses.
Here’s a look at how Bachmeier’s outing came to bite BYU in its heart-wrenching defeat.
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The Cougars were good value for much of Saturday’s matchup, overcoming an early two-score deficit to take the lead during a frantic second quarter.
Bachmeier was fairly effective in the first half, finding the end zone with 75-yard touchdown pass and keeping things ticking with a barrage of short passes. There were signs things were unraveling for him at the end of the second quarter, however. With the ball deep in Utah territory and a little more than a minute left on the clock, Bachmeier sailed a toss to Kyler Kasper, instead finding Bobo Chenault. The miscue was a sign of things to come for the sophomore gunslinger.
Bachmeier threw three interceptions in the second half, all of which came inside Utes territory.
There was his misfire at the start of the third quarter, Bachmeier only able to find the hands of an opposition defender one play after converting on a pivotal third-down play.
A 13-play, 65-yard epic that brought the Cougars on the cusp of the goal line ended in ashes when Trey Reynolds stepped in front of what appeared to be a wide-open Kasper early in the fourth.
What a play by Trey Reynolds!!! Reynolds picks off Bachmeier at the goal line 😱 https://t.co/xO11cEWI2p
— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) November 7, 2026
Bahcmeier finished his day appropriately, missing his mark on a heaved toss towards the end zone after holding the ball too long. Bachmeier entered the contest with just four interceptions to his name across eight appearances. He doubled that mark against Utah, condemning his team to a heartbreaking loss to its rivals as a result.
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