Instant takeaways from No. 11 BYU’s comeback win at Iowa State
Oct 25, 2025, 9:04 PM | Updated: 9:05 pm
No. 11 BYU overcame a terrible first half to beat Iowa State 41-27 on Saturday, October 25, 2025. (BYU Photo, Jon McBride)
(BYU Photo, Jon McBride)
AMES, Iowa – There were moments on Saturday at sold-out Jack Trice Stadium where the undefeated season for BYU football looked to be coming to an end.
However, the Cougars had other plans.
No. 11 BYU kept its perfect season alive, improving to 8-0 after they roared back from a 17-7 deficit to defeat Iowa State, handing the Cyclones a 41-27 loss.
Here are some instant takeaways from BYU’s big win in Ames.
Bear Bachmeier is so poised
What can this guy not do?
True freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier passes for more than 300 yards for the second time in his BYU career.
When BYU was down 17-7 and lost LJ Martin, it could have been easy for BYU to roll over and throw in the towel.
Bear dug deep.
He tossed some excellent passes that allowed his speedy receivers, Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston, to get yards after the catch.
Bear even found the end zone on the ground, which is becoming a signature for the freshman star.
When you thought the Utah game was Bear’s finest hour, he topped it on Saturday in Ames.
Interceptions changed the outlook on this game
During the second quarter, moments after BYU running back LJ Martin left for the locker room, and the Cougars were trailing 17-7, Logan Lutui picked off Rocco Becht.
Becht tossed a pass under pressure from BYU linebacker Max Alford, and there was a tip from Keanu Tanuvasa, which then landed in the hands of the senior Lutui.
It changed the game’s outlook.
To that point, BYU looked like it was going through another post-rivalry hangover spot after a big win over Utah. The pick changed that.
After that point, BYU reeled off a 27-10 run.
Then another interception was a game-changer.
In the fourth quarter, Faletau Satuala picked off Rocco Becht and returned it to the house for a 40-yard pick six to give BYU a 41-27 lead.
Both teams rely heavily on winning the turnover margin. It’s typically an indicator of whether they’ll win a game. BYU came out on top in the turnover margin and, no surprise, won the game.
Helmet sticker: Therrian Alexander III
BYU sophomore cornerback Therrian “Tre” Alexander III is coming into his own.
Alexander had a touchdown-saving tackle on Iowa State’s Carson Hansen, who popped off a 65-yard run. If not for Alexander, Hansen was going to the house for six.
Iowa State was down at the BYU 10-yard line with a first and goal.
From that moment in the third quarter, Iowa State moved backward on that drive and was forced to settle for a 43-yard field goal that tied the game at 27, instead of taking the lead.
Then, in the fourth quarter, Alexander was in coverage on fourth and 10 from BYU’s 23-yard line, ISU’s Rocco Becht took a shot to the end zone to Brett Eskildsen and Alexander was there to get the pass breakup.
Special Teams continues to make game-changing plays for BYU
Before the end of the third quarter, after a drive that appeared to be a three-and-out for the BYU offense, punter Sam Vander Haar booted away a punt on Iowa State’s side of the field.
The punt took a friendly roll and kept rolling. Iowa State’s Beni Ngoyi did not realize it was rolling, apparently, as his foot hit the ball, making it a live ball for BYU’s punt team to recover.
BYU’s Mory Bamba was ready, and he recovered the live ball. It was the second consecutive week that BYU’s special teams recovered a live ball on a punt.
Kelly Poppinga’s unit has made a living since last season on making momentum-changing plays in games. Saturday was no different.
Injury to LJ Martin potentially changes the ceiling of this BYU team
BYU junior running back LJ Martin exited the game after the final play of the first quarter. He didn’t return for the remainder of the game.
Martin was in the medical tent for a few moments, then quickly left the tent for the locker room with trainers. His day was finished.
BYU’s running back depth was already light after Pokaiaua Haunga was done with the program in the first week of fall camp. Then Sione Moa suffered an injury.
BYU’s reserves at running back after Martin are Preston Rex, Enoch Nawahine, and Jovesa Damuni. After those three, it’s Logan Payne and Charles Miska.
Preston Rex had some big moments in the second half, where he had some positive gains, and also in blitz pickup. But like Martin, he appeared to get banged up in the fourth quarter.
Rex was in the medical tent for a moment with five minutes to go in the game, and was seen walking gingerly on the sideline when he exited.
Then, of course, you have quarterback Bear Bachmeier, but you don’t want him getting to the carry count like he did in the win over Arizona two weeks ago with 22 carries.
It’s a season-changing injury for BYU without Martin. However, they found a way to adjust on Saturday.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
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