9 days ago
If you don't remember, BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier was a Notre Dame recruiting target as a high schooler, even earning an offer and taking visits to South Bend.
The Irish influence was in his blood with his grandfather being a huge fan. However, Bachmeier initially committed to follow one of his brothers, Tiger, to Stanford, but after a coaching change both decided that BYU was where they wanted to be.
As we all know, during recruiting, Notre Dame isn't the place for everyone, and for Bachmeier, it was a bad experience. Following the game on Saturday he's explain that the Irish disrespected him and his family during the process as shared by John Brice. Bachmeier said "I wasn't going to lose to those guys," as it looked like this game was personal for him.
It's hard to say exactly what happened without more information, but whatever it was, it soured Bachmeier's relationship with Notre Dame and the staff.
Strong quote here from BYUfootball QB Bear Bachmeirer on beating NDFootball: “I don’t like talking about myself but Notre Dame disrespected me & my family pretty badly (in 2023). There was no way I was losing to those guys.” usatodaysports pic.twitter.com/K4Pm8NWlVX
#dame #game #disrespected #family
The Irish influence was in his blood with his grandfather being a huge fan. However, Bachmeier initially committed to follow one of his brothers, Tiger, to Stanford, but after a coaching change both decided that BYU was where they wanted to be.
As we all know, during recruiting, Notre Dame isn't the place for everyone, and for Bachmeier, it was a bad experience. Following the game on Saturday he's explain that the Irish disrespected him and his family during the process as shared by John Brice. Bachmeier said "I wasn't going to lose to those guys," as it looked like this game was personal for him.
It's hard to say exactly what happened without more information, but whatever it was, it soured Bachmeier's relationship with Notre Dame and the staff.
Strong quote here from BYUfootball QB Bear Bachmeirer on beating NDFootball: “I don’t like talking about myself but Notre Dame disrespected me & my family pretty badly (in 2023). There was no way I was losing to those guys.” usatodaysports pic.twitter.com/K4Pm8NWlVX
#dame #game #disrespected #family
9 days ago
Notre Dame is now 6-1 and ranked No. 4 in the AP Top 25 after a weird, wild, and controversial loss to the BYU Cougars. Yes, I think the Irish got hosed out of one final play, but none of that matters now. We saw 59 minutes and 59 seconds of football, and there are some things we learned.
Last week Boomer called Boubacar Traore a renaissance man, and he was absolutely right. This week… we got five plays out of Traore before he was ejected for targeting Bear Bachmeier on a late hit. Despite Notre Dame's depth at the position, the loss of Traore was massive for the Irish in the game —particularly in the first half when the defense was on its heels and needed better play up front to slow down what BYU was doing. The loss of Traore might very well be the essence of the full reason for Notre Dame's loss.
This second thing was supposed to be about Jonaz Walton and I went looking for snap counts. While the entire deal about Walton is valid and should be talked about after only getting 10 of the 81 snaps after rushing for 181 yards last week… the wide receiver situation might be the most heinous thing about the offense. On a night where Notre Dame's receivers couldn't get much separation from Cougar defenders, maybe they were gassed? The elevation was well over 5000 feet and Notre Dame only used 4 wide receivers all night. Jordan Faison, Micah Gilbert, and Jaden Greathouse were out there for almost every snap, and the fourth… well that was Mylan Graham with a whopping two snaps for the night.
For a good part of the first half, Notre Dame's defense didn't just play poorly — they looked confused. Presnap lineups and adjustments had several defenders running to the spot they were supposed to be, and BYU was snapping the ball before they got there. It looked very much like the Miami game last year, and some of that confusion led to slow and soft play. This, of course, is a Chris Ash problem and they made the proper adjustments at halftime to hold BYU to just 126 yards and 7 points in the final 29 minutes and 59 seconds of play. But… this is still a thing and will kill the Irish in a few weeks against Miami if it's not fixed for a full 59 minutes and 59 seconds — or do we play 60 minute games now?
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#notre #play #irish #last
Last week Boomer called Boubacar Traore a renaissance man, and he was absolutely right. This week… we got five plays out of Traore before he was ejected for targeting Bear Bachmeier on a late hit. Despite Notre Dame's depth at the position, the loss of Traore was massive for the Irish in the game —particularly in the first half when the defense was on its heels and needed better play up front to slow down what BYU was doing. The loss of Traore might very well be the essence of the full reason for Notre Dame's loss.
This second thing was supposed to be about Jonaz Walton and I went looking for snap counts. While the entire deal about Walton is valid and should be talked about after only getting 10 of the 81 snaps after rushing for 181 yards last week… the wide receiver situation might be the most heinous thing about the offense. On a night where Notre Dame's receivers couldn't get much separation from Cougar defenders, maybe they were gassed? The elevation was well over 5000 feet and Notre Dame only used 4 wide receivers all night. Jordan Faison, Micah Gilbert, and Jaden Greathouse were out there for almost every snap, and the fourth… well that was Mylan Graham with a whopping two snaps for the night.
For a good part of the first half, Notre Dame's defense didn't just play poorly — they looked confused. Presnap lineups and adjustments had several defenders running to the spot they were supposed to be, and BYU was snapping the ball before they got there. It looked very much like the Miami game last year, and some of that confusion led to slow and soft play. This, of course, is a Chris Ash problem and they made the proper adjustments at halftime to hold BYU to just 126 yards and 7 points in the final 29 minutes and 59 seconds of play. But… this is still a thing and will kill the Irish in a few weeks against Miami if it's not fixed for a full 59 minutes and 59 seconds — or do we play 60 minute games now?
Sign up for a user account and get:
#notre #play #irish #last
9 days ago
Bear Bachmeier's all-around performance for BYU shakes up the Heisman Watch originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Bear has re-entered the chat.
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier's late touchdown pass lifted the Cougars to a 28-24 victory over Notre Dame on Saturday and fueled his return to the Heisman Watch top contenders list.
Bachmeier threw a touchdown pass, ran for two scores and caught a touchdown pass in an all-around performance that shook up the Heisman race. The Cougars have climbed to No. 2 in the latest ******* ociated Press Top 25 poll.
Oregon State receiver Jesse Legree is much more familiar with catching touchdown passes than Bachmeier. The true freshman joins the top contenders list this week for the first time after gaining more than 100 yards receiving for the seventh time in as many games.
#bear #heisman #pass
The Bear has re-entered the chat.
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier's late touchdown pass lifted the Cougars to a 28-24 victory over Notre Dame on Saturday and fueled his return to the Heisman Watch top contenders list.
Bachmeier threw a touchdown pass, ran for two scores and caught a touchdown pass in an all-around performance that shook up the Heisman race. The Cougars have climbed to No. 2 in the latest ******* ociated Press Top 25 poll.
Oregon State receiver Jesse Legree is much more familiar with catching touchdown passes than Bachmeier. The true freshman joins the top contenders list this week for the first time after gaining more than 100 yards receiving for the seventh time in as many games.
#bear #heisman #pass
2 months ago
Even though they've got one of the most difficult schedules in the Big 12 and mighty Notre Dame visits Provo in the middle of October with its sights set on a national championship run, hype for the BYU Cougars in 2026 is through the roof.
Why not?
BYU has gone 23-4 overall in the past two seasons, just missing out on College Football Playoff appearances in 2024 and 2025, and returns almost all of the key ingredients from the outfit that won 12 games last year, most notably quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back LJ Martin.
"That's the challenge this year, not feeling like we've arrived or done anything special, because we haven't won a game yet. I think these guys also know that everything people say, good or bad, is nonsense, really. All that matters is what you do in the game."
#year #game #provo #cougars
Why not?
BYU has gone 23-4 overall in the past two seasons, just missing out on College Football Playoff appearances in 2024 and 2025, and returns almost all of the key ingredients from the outfit that won 12 games last year, most notably quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back LJ Martin.
"That's the challenge this year, not feeling like we've arrived or done anything special, because we haven't won a game yet. I think these guys also know that everything people say, good or bad, is nonsense, really. All that matters is what you do in the game."
#year #game #provo #cougars
2 months ago
After BYU football coach Kalani Sitake put his team through a 102-play scrimmage Saturday morning at LaVell Edwards Stadium, he ******* ounced the offense a slight winner, and neither quarterback Bear Bachmeier nor linebacker Cade Uluave disagreed.
The 11-on-11 scrimmage, which Sitake likes to refer to as "sparring," was a mixture of "live" plays, in which ball carriers are taken to the ground and "thud" plays, where contact is supposed to stop after the initial hit. Usually, defenses are ahead of offenses this early in camp, but that was not the case in the first scrimmage, apparently.
The scrimmage was closed to the media, and Sitake spoke to reporters via Zoom after the proceedings, along with Bachmeier and offensive lineman Bruce Mitchell from the offensive side and Uluave from the defensive side.
"I thought (both sides) had some moments," Sitake said. "I probably give a slight edge to the offense today, because I thought the offense had more big plays than I would like to have seen from the defense.
"A lot of big plays came because of guys that made them happen," Sitake continued. "I know all the questions will be about the receivers. I thought the receivers had a really good day today."
#bachmeier
The 11-on-11 scrimmage, which Sitake likes to refer to as "sparring," was a mixture of "live" plays, in which ball carriers are taken to the ground and "thud" plays, where contact is supposed to stop after the initial hit. Usually, defenses are ahead of offenses this early in camp, but that was not the case in the first scrimmage, apparently.
The scrimmage was closed to the media, and Sitake spoke to reporters via Zoom after the proceedings, along with Bachmeier and offensive lineman Bruce Mitchell from the offensive side and Uluave from the defensive side.
"I thought (both sides) had some moments," Sitake said. "I probably give a slight edge to the offense today, because I thought the offense had more big plays than I would like to have seen from the defense.
"A lot of big plays came because of guys that made them happen," Sitake continued. "I know all the questions will be about the receivers. I thought the receivers had a really good day today."
#bachmeier
3 months ago
Good luck finding any Big 12 season previews that don't spend 1/3 of their ****** e talking about Brandon Sorsby. That subject has been covered to death, so I'm limiting myself to merely mentioning that he will not be the QB for Texas Tech this season. The gap he leaves creates one of the bigger question marks in a conference. Even with that uncertainty, the Red Raiders will enter the season as favorites to defend their conference championship and make it back to the CFP. Who are the teams best situated to challenge Texas Tech for the conference ****** le and possibly make the Big 12 a two-bid league?
Texas Tech
Texas Tech has arguably adapted to the NIL/Transfer Portal era better than any team in the country, unsavory as it may be. Alum/Benefactor/Oil Tycoon/Slimeball Cody Campbell has given the team one of the top NIL budgets in the country and they have used it to elevate their talent level a clear cut above their in-conference competition. Last year, they last a single conference game, hammered the next two teams consistently over three combined meetings (BYU and Utah), finished in the top 10 in Offensive and Defensive SP+, and made a run to the CFP Quarterfinals. This year, Will Hammond looks like the starting QB, once he fully recovers from a torn ACL suffered early last season. Hammond is unspectacular, but gets the job done. The rest of the roster is loaded. RB Cameron ****** ey might be the biggest star, but the offensive line is probably the best overall unit. Even WR looks great with four big-time transfers coming in. They also took in basically an entire starting-quality defensive lineup through the transfer portal despite having decent returning production. They might not have anyone as dominant as DE David Bailey, but they are incredibly deep with proven players everywhere on the depth chart. Like Miami in the ACC, something would have to go horribly wrong to offset the talent advantage they have over the rest of the conference.
BYU
The Cougars once again fought to retain Kalani Sitake after another season where they performed above expectations. QB Bear Bachmeier was good as a true freshman, which usually means there is room to grow into being a true star. They reloaded their offensive line, including UW tackle prospect Paki Finau, who was blocked on the depth chart in Seattle. There are two question marks related to departures They have to replace their top three receivers from a season ago without obvious backfills. They also lost their DC, Jay Hill, to Michigan. Despite the loss of Hill, the defense returns lots of experience and production, which should ease the transition for promoted LB coach Kelly Poppinga. As is often the case with BYU teams under Sitake, the question will be about the offensive explosiveness. If Bachmeier has the receivers to make enough big plays, it looks like the defense and the running game should support a real contender.
#offensive #make #teams
Texas Tech
Texas Tech has arguably adapted to the NIL/Transfer Portal era better than any team in the country, unsavory as it may be. Alum/Benefactor/Oil Tycoon/Slimeball Cody Campbell has given the team one of the top NIL budgets in the country and they have used it to elevate their talent level a clear cut above their in-conference competition. Last year, they last a single conference game, hammered the next two teams consistently over three combined meetings (BYU and Utah), finished in the top 10 in Offensive and Defensive SP+, and made a run to the CFP Quarterfinals. This year, Will Hammond looks like the starting QB, once he fully recovers from a torn ACL suffered early last season. Hammond is unspectacular, but gets the job done. The rest of the roster is loaded. RB Cameron ****** ey might be the biggest star, but the offensive line is probably the best overall unit. Even WR looks great with four big-time transfers coming in. They also took in basically an entire starting-quality defensive lineup through the transfer portal despite having decent returning production. They might not have anyone as dominant as DE David Bailey, but they are incredibly deep with proven players everywhere on the depth chart. Like Miami in the ACC, something would have to go horribly wrong to offset the talent advantage they have over the rest of the conference.
BYU
The Cougars once again fought to retain Kalani Sitake after another season where they performed above expectations. QB Bear Bachmeier was good as a true freshman, which usually means there is room to grow into being a true star. They reloaded their offensive line, including UW tackle prospect Paki Finau, who was blocked on the depth chart in Seattle. There are two question marks related to departures They have to replace their top three receivers from a season ago without obvious backfills. They also lost their DC, Jay Hill, to Michigan. Despite the loss of Hill, the defense returns lots of experience and production, which should ease the transition for promoted LB coach Kelly Poppinga. As is often the case with BYU teams under Sitake, the question will be about the offensive explosiveness. If Bachmeier has the receivers to make enough big plays, it looks like the defense and the running game should support a real contender.
#offensive #make #teams
3 months ago
PROVO — There's no quarterback derby to speak of, unless one considers the battle to be Bear Bachmeier's backup in 2026 a topic worthy of discussion.
There's no debate over who's going to be RB1, as LJ Martin enters his fourth and final season at BYU with some reachable school records in sight if he maintains the pace he established in 2025 before missing the 25-21 win over Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl after shoulder surgery.
Even the five spots on the offensive line are mostly settled, especially if Washington transfer Paki Finau proves capable at the all-important left tackle position.
Putting together a BYU football depth chart a month before the season starts is usually a fool's errand, but not this year. That speaks to just how experienced head coach Kalani Sitake's roster is heading into arguably the most-anticipated season in school history.
Expectations are soaring for Sitake's program, and for good reason. According to a report by CBS Sports, BYU is No. 3 in the country in overall returning players with snaps under their belt, at 63%. On offense, it is 60% and on defense it is 65%. While a lot of programs continue to hit the transfer portal hard, BYU has relied more on roster retainment and player development after the near-disaster that was the 2023 season, in which coaches prepared for their first season in the Big 12 with a massive roster overhaul.
#roster #school #transfer #martin
There's no debate over who's going to be RB1, as LJ Martin enters his fourth and final season at BYU with some reachable school records in sight if he maintains the pace he established in 2025 before missing the 25-21 win over Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl after shoulder surgery.
Even the five spots on the offensive line are mostly settled, especially if Washington transfer Paki Finau proves capable at the all-important left tackle position.
Putting together a BYU football depth chart a month before the season starts is usually a fool's errand, but not this year. That speaks to just how experienced head coach Kalani Sitake's roster is heading into arguably the most-anticipated season in school history.
Expectations are soaring for Sitake's program, and for good reason. According to a report by CBS Sports, BYU is No. 3 in the country in overall returning players with snaps under their belt, at 63%. On offense, it is 60% and on defense it is 65%. While a lot of programs continue to hit the transfer portal hard, BYU has relied more on roster retainment and player development after the near-disaster that was the 2023 season, in which coaches prepared for their first season in the Big 12 with a massive roster overhaul.
#roster #school #transfer #martin
