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BYU's defense brings the juice after rough first quarter against Colorado

BYU got themselves in an early 14-0 hole against Colorado, but battled back when the defense made adjustments.
ByPhillip Riggs|
Sep 27, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Evan Johnson (0) celebrates a turnover in the fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Sep 27, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Evan Johnson (0) celebrates a turnover in the fourth quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

It was ugly early for BYU against Colorado. Kaidon Salter ran all over the Cougars, and Colorado jumped out to a 14-0 lead. BYU and Jay Hill's defense looked uncharacteristically and completely lost and unprepared for the rushing attack from a dual-threat quarterback. I was worried it was going to get out of hand and be a long and ugly night. Things would be rough for BYU out of the gate, but the Cougars never panicked. They just kept playing football. That's why Coach Sitake, Coach Hill, and company get paid the big bucks!

Will Ferrin would make a field goal but miss a 55-yarder, ending his streak of 25 straight made field goals. LJ Martin wouldn't crack 100 yards rushing for the first time this season. But Bear Bachmeier delivered as he has all season -- running hard and throwing touchdowns to Chase Roberts. Bachmeier delivered 19 of 27 for 179 yards and two touchdown passes. Bear ran the ball 15 times for 98 yards.

While LJ Martin wouldn't shatter the century mark for the first time this year (hitting 94 total yards in this one), BYU would still rush for 208 yards as a team. BYU would get their yards and touchdowns in any way they possibly could. Their go-ahead touchdown came via a Kalani Sitake special in a jet sweep from Cody Hagen. Hagen punched it in from 32 yards out.

The Cougar defense would buckle down hard after the first quarter. BYU's big four on defense went to work. Jack Kelly, Isaiah Glasker, Evan Johnson, and Faletau Satuala would lead the charge for the Cougars. Kelly would make six tackles, all of them solo, two of them for a loss, and one sack. Johnson would make five tackles, four of them solo, and a few big ones in the open field. Satuala would have five tackles, a tackle for a loss, and a sack.

Glasker would provide the clincher. He had four tackles, a sack, and a tackle for a loss. But his biggest play was easily the game-ending interception. Thanks to that nail in the coffin, BYU survives, moves to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the Big 12. The Cougars will host West Virginia in Provo on Friday night for their next game.

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