PROVO - No. 14 BYU wasted no time reminding everyone what a season opener can look like when the gap in talent, depth and resources is wide enough to matter.
The Cougars rolled past Utah Tech 63-7 on Saturday night in front of 64,077 fans, giving BYU a 1-0 start for the 10th time in 11 years. It was also the fifth time since last year that a BYU home game drew more than 64,000 people.
But the scoreboard only told part of the story. BYU’s opener delivered a handful of clear signs about where this team is headed, starting with a true freshman who looked every bit like the preseason buzz around him.
Legend Glasker’s debut lived up to the hype. The wide receiver had been a constant topic through spring ball and fall camp, and that attention carried straight into game night.
Three of his first four touches ended in touchdowns, the kind of start that instantly sticks in a program’s memory. It called to mind Luke Staley’s two-touchdown debut against Washington in 1999, and in the press box there were even comparisons to former Cal and NFL star DeSean Jackson.
BYU also appears to have solved an offseason question in the return game. With Parker Kingston gone, the Cougars had a clear opening to fill in 2026, and Cannon DeVries made a strong case that the job won’t be a problem.
The former Weber High star broke loose for a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown to open the third quarter, then added value as both a punt and kick returner. He even lined up in the NICKEL spot in Kelly Poppinga’s defense.
That defense had a sharp debut under Poppinga, who called the game from the sideline. The approach looked familiar in the best BYU way: not a sack-heavy night, but one built on takeaways and steady control.
On the very first defensive snap, starting cornerback Therrian Alexander III intercepted Utah Tech quarterback CJ Tiller. The Trailblazers managed one touchdown, but it came mostly against BYU’s third- and fourth-team defenders.
There was one injury note that could matter moving forward. Late in the second quarter, starting safety Raider Damuni suffered what appeared to be a left leg injury.
He was unable to put pressure on it, needed help from trainers to the medical tent, and then had assistance getting up the tunnel to the locker room. If he’s out for an extended stretch, BYU would likely turn to Tommy Prassas or Kennan Pula.
Saturday also underscored the difference between a program operating with competitive NIL and one that isn’t. Earlier in the week on the KSL Sports Zone, Utah Tech coach Lance Anderson said his program does not participate in Name, Image, and Likeness deals.
“Nothing. Zip.
Zilch. Nada.”
That gap showed up in a big way against a Power Four opponent. Utah Tech will still receive $450,000 for the game, but BYU’s advantage in resources was on full display.
The Cougars’ depth at running back looked healthy too, which mattered after questions about the position behind reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year LJ Martin. BYU chose retention over the portal in the winter, and the early returns were encouraging.
Sione Moa looked back to full strength in his first home game at LES since last September against Stanford, carrying six times for 22 yards. Preston Rex, now settled in after moving from safety to running back last year, showed more comfort in the role and scored on a touchdown run.
True freshman Journee Tonga, a 5-foot-8 back from Leuzinger High School in California, flashed burst on a 34-yard run before finishing the drive with a four-yard touchdown. Later, true freshman DeVaughn Eka of Lehi High School finished things off with a touchdown of his own, bulldozing into the end zone late in the third and into the fourth quarter.
The night ended with a rare statistical note: it was the first time in 30 years that BYU had five different players score a rushing touchdown. Bear Bachmeier also reached the end zone, giving him the 12th touchdown of his career.
BYU now turns to Arizona next Saturday, September 12, with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m. on FOX and KSL NewsRadio.
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 🡒]