BYU wasted little time making its 2026 opener feel one-sided against Utah Tech.
The Cougars struck on the first play of the night when Tre Alexander dove for an interception, and the takeaway immediately set the tone for Kelly Poppinga’s first game as BYU’s defensive coordinator. Less than four minutes later, the offense cashed in again. Bear Bachmeier guided a 13-play, 82-yard drive and finished it with a Jojo Phillips touchdown to push BYU in front 14-0.
Bachmeier was sharp on that march, going 5 of 5 through the air for 38 yards. New tight end Walker Lyons was part of the action too, hauling in two passes for 22 yards. On the ground, LJ Martin and Sione Moa helped BYU build early balance with 46 rushing yards on nine carries combined.
The first quarter got even worse for Utah Tech near the end. With 0:31 left, quarterback CJ Tiller fumbled a third-down snap, and Tausili Akana recovered it for BYU’s second takeaway of the opening period. Through one quarter, the Cougars had forced two turnovers while allowing just one first down.
Then Legend Glasker put his stamp on the game in a hurry.
On his first career touch, the freshman took a jet sweep from Bachmeier and turned it into a 9-yard touchdown. It was a memorable introduction to college football. Early in the second quarter, he did it again - this time on his first college reception, a 26-yard score that stretched the lead to 21-0.
BYU’s opener against Utah Tech was being shown on ESPN+ and streamed through the ESPN app.
In Other News...
BYU Defense Suddenly Faces A Bigger Question After Opening Win
BYUs opening win over Utah Tech came with a familiar August reminder that the first game can change a teams outlook in a hurry. The Cougars handled the result, but veteran safety Raider Damuni went down with a leg injury and had to be carried off the field, turning what should have been a clean season debut into a concern for the defenses early depth and experience.
Kalani Sitake said the program is still waiting on an MRI to get the official diagnosis, leaving the immediate status of one of BYUs more trusted defensive pieces unclear. The Cougars were already being careful with linebacker Isaiah Glasker, who sat out as a precaution so he could be rested for Arizona, so the next few days now carry a little more weight as BYU sorts out who will be available and how much change the defense might need to absorb. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Fans Will Learn A Lot From Kalani Sitake Tonight
BYU opens its 2026 season tonight against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium, and the game should offer an early look at how Kalani Sitake intends to steer this team. After a year of talking about the need to compete at the highest level, Sitake enters the opener with a clear mandate to show that the Cougars are not just aiming to win, but to do it with a sharper edge and a more aggressive feel from the start.
For BYU, the bigger question is what those coaching decisions signal about the programs broader ambitions. The Cougars have spent plenty of time trying to earn more respect in the College Football Playoff picture, and the opener should tell fans a lot about how Sitake plans to attack that challenge. Even against an overmatched opponent, the way BYU handles the night may reveal how serious it is about making a real national statement. [Read more 🡒]
College GameDay Just Gave BYU Fans A Big 12 Reason To Believe
ESPNs College GameDay season kickoff offered BYU fans a little bit of national validation before the real grind of the Big 12 begins. The panel spent time sorting through the conference race and debating the teams most likely to be standing at the end, with the conversation framed around prospects, matchups and how quickly the league could sort itself out once the season gets rolling.
For Cougar fans, the encouraging part was simply hearing BYU in the mix rather than on the outside looking in. The predictions were split across the studio, with some of the biggest names on the set landing on a different favorite and Pat McAfee going his own way, which only underscored how open the conference feels. Still, BYU being mentioned as a title pick on a stage like that is the kind of attention that can travel a long way through a fan base. [Read more 🡒]