BYU stifles Stanford's offense in 27-3 victory

Field Level Media|published: Sun 7th September, 01:57 2025

NCAA Football: Portland St. at Brigham Young

Aug 30, 2025; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars running back LJ Martin (4) runs the ball against Portland State Vikings linebacker Lonnie Burt (40) during the second quarter at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

LJ Martin rushed for 110 yards and Will Ferrin kicked four field goals as BYU dominated Stanford from the outset in a 27-3 victory on Saturday night in Provo, Utah.

Martin rushed 18 times for his fourth career 100-yard game as BYU (2-0) earned its second blowout win and has outscored its opponents 96-3.

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who originally committed to Stanford, completed 17-of-27 passes for 175 yards. He also rushed for the Cougars' first touchdown and completed five passes to Chase Roberts, who finished with 84 yards.

Ferrin kicked field goals of 36 and 30 yards in a span of 4:04 in the second. He added a 21-yard field goal with 8:56 left in the third and a 23-yarder with 6:33 left in the fourth.

Sione Moa added an 8-yard TD run in the fourth quarter as BYU outgained Stanford 157-19 on the ground.

Stanford's Ben Gulbranson finished 17-of-32 passing for 142 yards while the Cardinal (0-2) went 2-for-13 on third downs. He also threw two interceptions, including one that set up Ferrin's first goal.

Stanford running back Micah Ford was held to 21 yards on 12 attempts after totaling 113 in the season-opening loss to Hawaii. Bryce Farrell finished with 68 receiving yards on five catches.

Martin's 47-yard run moved BYU across midfield, and five plays later, Bachmeier ran up the middle for a 6-0 lead as the Cougars were denied a 2-point conversion with 3:29 left in the opening quarter.

After an interception by safety Raider Damuni, Ferrin opened the second quarter with a 36-yard field goal for a 9-0 lead. Ferrin made his second field goal with 10:52 remaining, two minutes after Jack Kelly sacked Gulbranson and recovered a fumble.

BYU extended it to 14-0 lead on a safety with about five minutes before halftime. After Ferrin's third field goal and following a 44-yard punt return by Tiger Bachmeier, Moa scored from 8 yards out for a 24-0 lead with 3:36 remaining.

Stanford finally gained some traction early in the fourth but settled for a field goal by Emmet Kenney after two incompletions inside the 10-yard line.

--Field Level Media