Staff Reports
TUCSON – In the heart of Tucson, Arizona, under the glow of stadium lights and the rumble of distant thunder, the 18th-ranked BYU Cougars clawed their way to a thrilling double-overtime victory over the Arizona Wildcats, securing a 33-27 triumph that kept their season flawless. Freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, the poised rookie at the helm, plunged through the line for a gritty 7-yard touchdown scamper up the middle in the second extra period, handing BYU a narrow six-point edge despite a failed two-point conversion attempt. The Cougars’ defense, unyielding in the moment, smothered Arizona’s final drive, leaving the Wildcats grasping at air on a desperate fourth-down heave that slipped through a receiver’s fingers in the end zone.
For BYU, now 6-0 overall and 3-0 in Big 12 play, the win marked their second consecutive season opener with a perfect six-game streak, a rare feat in program lore. Arizona, slipping to 4-2 and 1-2 in conference action, absorbed a stinging defeat that snapped its momentum after dropping two of its last three outings.
The drama unfolded in fits and starts, with Mother Nature adding her own twist. A fierce lightning storm, the lingering echo of former Hurricane Priscilla, halted play for about 75 minutes just as the second quarter dawned, with BYU nursing a 14-7 advantage. When action resumed amid drizzling skies, Arizona’s offense ignited, clawing back into the fray. Quarterback Noah Fifita, sharp and steady, lofted a 35-yard strike to wideout Chris Hunter streaking down the sideline, flipping the score to give the Wildcats a slim 17-14 halftime cushion.
BYU had seized control early, dictating the tempo with punishing ground attacks. Running back LJ Martin, explosive and relentless, burst through the middle for a 28-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter, putting the Cougars ahead 7-0. The momentum swelled moments later when Bachmeier threaded a precise pass over the middle to receiver Parker Kingston, who shed defenders and sprinted untouched for a 75-yard score, ballooning the lead to 14-0. Kingston’s big night included 117 receiving yards, a spark that lit up BYU’s aerial game.
Arizona refused to fade, building a 24-14 bulge late in the fourth quarter behind the brute force of running back Kedrick Reescano. The burly 214-pounder powered through the Cougars’ front for a 36-yard touchdown rumble, shrugging off initial contact and accelerating into the end zone with raw determination. Fifita orchestrated the surge, finishing with 219 passing yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, while slot receiver Kris Hutson hauled in nine catches for 106 yards and a score of his own.
But BYU’s resilience shone brightest in the shadows of defeat. Trailing by 10 with time ticking away, the Cougars mounted a furious rally. Bachmeier, blending veteran instincts with youthful fire, directed a late drive that culminated in his own 2-yard touchdown dash with just 19 seconds remaining, knotting the score at 24-all and forcing overtime.
In the extra frames, Bachmeier’s legs proved decisive once more, his 89 rushing yards on 22 carries—including two scores—underscoring a dual-threat debut that belied his freshman status. He also threw for 172 passing yards with one touchdown against two picks. Martin complemented the effort with a career-best 162 rushing yards and a touchdown, while linebacker Siale Esera anchored the defense with a whopping 16 tackles.
For the Cougars, this road warrior’s triumph embodied grit: an early onslaught gave way to a midgame stumble, only for a late surge to seal their sixth straight victory. Bachmeier’s repeated dives into the fray during crunch time highlighted his poise under pressure, errors and all. Arizona, meanwhile, nursed the agony of a missed opportunity—one that could have thrust them into the Big 12 conversation—leaving coaches and players to dissect a collapse from the brink.
As the sun rises on a new week, BYU turns its gaze homeward to host rival Utah on Saturday, Oct. 18, aiming to extend its streak in a clash steeped in tradition. The Wildcats, licking their wounds, hit the road to face Houston the same day, hungry to rebound and reclaim their stride in an unforgiving conference landscape.
