Freshman QB takes lead as BYU faces Portland State

When BYU's Bear Bachmeier takes the field against Portland State in Provo, Utah, on Saturday, he will be the first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener for the Cougars.

Bachmeier transferred from Stanford after spring practices and earned a shot to claim the starting job after returning starter Jake Retzlaff left the program and transferred to Tulane.

He earned the assignment for the opener when he beat out McCae Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet in fall camp. His older brother, Tiger, is a wide receiver on the team who transferred with him.

Their other brother, Hank, was a starting quarterback for Boise State, Louisiana Tech and Wake Forest over six seasons.

"He's done a great job being the leader and connecting with his teammates," BYU coach Kalani Sitake said of Bear Bachmeier. "I think he'll be ready. Looking at his demeanor, and his intelligence, and the things he's picking up, he's amped up. He's ready to play."

Bachmeier is only the eighth quarterback in program history to start any game as a true freshman and the first since Zach Wilson in 2018. His learning curve could be short since the Cougars return their top receiver and top rusher from a year ago.

Chase Roberts had 52 receptions for 854 yards and four touchdowns last season. LJ Martin emerged as a star in the backfield with 718 yards rushing and seven touchdowns while averaging 5.24 yards per carry.

Despite just arriving to college, Bachmeier has won over his teammates with poise and leadership.

"His mentality that he's had all camp, he doesn't act like a freshman quarterback," Roberts said.

Portland State faces a tough task in trying to beat an FBS opponent for the first time since 2015. The Vikings opened their season last weekend and were crushed 42-0 by Tarleton State.

Three quarterbacks saw action for Portland State, although the Vikings never got on track on either side of the ball. The QB trio threw three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, while the defense allowed 301 rushing yards.

"They took some things away from us that we normally do," Portland State coach Bruce Barnum said. "But what they gave us on offense we couldn't take advantage of."

BYU is 19-0 all-time against FCS opponents and hasn't lost to a team outside the FBS ranks since 1960. The Cougars beat the Vikings 20-6 in the only previous meeting between the teams in 2017.

--Field Level Media