BYU rolls past Portland State in a 69-0 shutout

BYU RB Charles Miska celebrates after scoring another Cougar touchdown Photo by Jaren Wilkey/BYU Photo

The BYU Cougars wasted no time sending a message in their season opener, crushing Portland State 69-0 in front of 64,494 fans — the largest home crowd since the 2009 showdown against TCU.

The Cougars haven’t lost to a non-FBS opponent since 1960, and Saturday’s win was a reminder that not only can BYU hang with college football’s heavyweights — they can dominate. With several Top 25 teams falling to early-season upsets, BYU’s performance might just catch the attention of AP voters who left them off the preseason poll.

The Cougars’ first points of the 2025 season came in unforgettable fashion. BYU’s defense blocked a Portland State field goal attempt, and captain Jack Kelly scooped it up and raced 62 yards to the end zone — a momentum-swinging play that set the tone for the rest of the night.

History was also made in Provo, as true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier became the first freshman to ever start a season opener for the Cougars. Bachmeier didn’t waste the opportunity, completing 7 of 11 passes for 97 yards and three touchdowns while adding 32 yards and two more scores on the ground — all in just one half of play. By halftime, BYU was up 49-0, and Bachmeier had already won over Cougar Nation.

The ground game was just as lethal. BYU unleashed 14 different ball carriers for a staggering 468 rushing yards on 48 attempts — nearly 10 yards per carry. It was a statement of depth, as wave after wave of Cougars pounded Portland State’s defense.

Head coach Kalani Sitake had the luxury of emptying the bench, rolling through backup quarterbacks McCae Hillstead, Treyson Bourguet, and even walk-on Cole Hagan. By the fourth quarter, the game felt more like a celebration than a competition.

The 69-0 thrashing was exactly the type of performance fans hoped for to open the season. But now the question is: what’s next? The competition only ramps up from here as BYU prepares for Stanford’s visit to Provo on Saturday, September 6.

The Cougars have momentum. They have history. And after a night like this, they might just have the attention of the entire college football world.

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