BYU’s Friday night plans against Iowa State may have to move forward without one of its most versatile defenders.
Cannon DeVries, who starts at defensive back and handles punt returns, was downgraded to doubtful on Thursday evening’s injury report. That marks a steady slide over the course of the week: he opened as probable, then landed at questionable on Wednesday, and now appears unlikely to suit up.
That “doubtful” tag usually signals a player has only a 25% chance to play, which points to BYU being without DeVries on both defense and special teams.
If that happens, the Cougars will again turn to Tiger Bachmeier as the primary punt returner. Bachmeier filled that role after DeVries exited against TCU, finishing with one return for nine yards.
The sequence that followed was rough. On one punt, he let the ball bounce rather than call for a fair catch, and it rolled all the way to the BYU 1-yard line.
On the next one, he waited until the last second to let it go again, and the ball bounced close enough to his leg that BYU was lucky it didn’t strike him. Either mistake could have turned ugly in a hurry.
Bachmeier has also had trouble in that area before. Against Colorado in 2025, he fielded two punts deep in his own end zone, including one where he was nearly tackled for a safety after making a defender miss.
BYU doesn’t need Bachmeier to do anything flashy Friday. The assignment is simpler: catch the ball cleanly and make the right call.
The bigger issue is what DeVries means on defense. He has been one of BYU’s best open-field tacklers, and with Iowa State bringing star running back Aiden Flora, the Cougars would rather have DeVries on the field finishing plays in space. He is second on the team behind only Tausili Akana in tackles for loss.
If DeVries can’t go, BYU likely will stick with the same adjustment it made after he left against TCU. Jayven Williams would stay at cornerback, while Evan Johnson would slide inside to nickel. Williams has been solid when available this season and has been credited with three defensive stops by Pro Football Focus.
That would leave BYU shorthanded in two phases, with the hope being that DeVries can get back in time for what could be a top 10 matchup against Notre Dame.
In Other News...
BYU Suddenly Faces A Brutal Offensive Problem At The Worst Time
BYUs backfield took a major hit at a moment when the schedule is only getting tougher. Running back LJ Martin is expected to miss four to six weeks after suffering a lower-body injury in the game against TCU, and that timetable puts him out of the mix for upcoming matchups against Iowa State and Notre Dame.
Kalani Sitake said Martin is not on crutches, which is at least a small bit of encouraging news, but the Cougars still have to plan for a stretch without one of their key offensive pieces. Losing a runner of that importance right before a demanding run of games adds another layer of pressure to an offense that now has to find answers quickly. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Suddenly Faces A Huge Offensive Test Without Its Top Playmaker
BYUs offense is about to be asked to answer a much bigger question than it has all season, and it comes at a time when the schedule is about to get heavier. Running back LJ Martin will be out four to six weeks with a lower-body injury suffered against TCU, a setback that immediately removes the Cougars most reliable downhill threat from the lineup. He has been a centerpiece of the attack, piling up 344 rushing yards and three touchdowns so far this season while carrying the rsum of the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.
The timing makes the injury especially difficult for a BYU team that cannot afford to lose rhythm as it heads into a key stretch. Martin is already out for the Iowa State game and will also miss the nationally televised matchup with Notre Dame on Oct. 17, leaving the Cougars to adjust without the runner who has helped define their identity. For an offense trying to stay on track against better defenses, the next few weeks now look like a test of depth, creativity and how well the rest of the ground game can absorb the loss. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Fans Are Facing A Notre Dame Ticket Reality Nobody Likes
BYUs home schedule is suddenly carrying a premium, and not just in the usual late-season sense. With Iowa State and Notre Dame coming to LaVell Edwards Stadium next, ticket resale markets have pushed prices sharply higher, turning what should be an ordinary search for seats into a small headache for fans trying to get in the door. Some single tickets are already listed for more than $400, and the buzz around the Notre Dame game has only added to the spike.
Even with the sticker shock, the interest has not cooled. BYU fans have made clear they still see these matchups as worth the trip, especially with a marquee opponent like Notre Dame on the calendar and a Big 12 home game against Iowa State coming first. The challenge now is less about whether the crowd will show up and more about how many fans are willing to pay the going rate to be part of it. [Read more 🡒]