PROVO, Utah – BYU football set a program record, shutting out the Portland State Vikings 69-0 in a thorough decimation for the 20th consecutive win over an FCS program.
The BYU Cougars began the 2025 season by hosting the Portland State Vikings at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, August 30.
A nice way to start the season. pic.twitter.com/y8ruGwIXnt
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) August 31, 2025
Last year was one of Sitake’s best teams as he guided BYU to an 11-2 record and a 7-2 mark in the Big 12.
In its third year as a Big 12 member, BYU football is looking for more. They will navigate this season with a true freshman signal-caller in Bear Bachmeier.
Bachmeier won the starting job over McCae Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet in fall camp.
The former Stanford Cardinal transfer has the potential to be a talented quarterback for BYU.
KSL Sports is on location here at LaVell Edwards Stadium for BYU vs. Portland State.
We will have you covered throughout the evening with the latest from BYU’s season-opening matchup. Keep checking back here for updates throughout the game.
Pregame
Some notable players who are not listed on BYU’s gameday roster for today’s matchup against Portland State.
– Jonathan Kabeya
– Enoch Nawahine
– Weylin Lapuaho
– Alvin Puefua
– Justin Kirkland— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 30, 2025
BYU players officially ruled as out for today’s game include IOL Weylin Lapuaho, DT Justin Kirkland, and WR Tei Nacua.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 30, 2025
LaVell Edwards Stadium has logos of BYU’s sesquicentennial on the field. pic.twitter.com/hjtrDkFHIN
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 30, 2025
Settling in for another year covering BYU football. pic.twitter.com/NNUDjhIXeQ
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 30, 2025
QB1 is in the building. 🐻 @bearb47 pic.twitter.com/2BEorrp7wy
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 30, 2025
BYU football can officially start now that Kalani Sitake broke out the pregame dance moves. pic.twitter.com/JfxzIIuchb
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 30, 2025
BYU will wear white face masks on the Navy Blue helmets tonight against Portland State. pic.twitter.com/I1Ve5CfbJt
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 30, 2025
BYU’s receivers are bringing some heat to the cleat game today.
Jojo Phillips will be wearing some Kobe reverse grinches. Parker Kingston has the green Grinch cleats.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 30, 2025
B-Y-U! B-Y-U!@byuROC is locked in. pic.twitter.com/66a9wDCSGS
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 30, 2025
.@utahmammoth C Liam ‘Spicy Tuna’ O’Brien is supporting @BYUfootball at the Cougars’ season-openerhttps://t.co/2sDoTRU96W
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 31, 2025
Former @BYUfootball rushing leader in Provo for the 2025 season-opener against @psuviksFB https://t.co/MV8RnfKFRz
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 30, 2025
The ⭐⭐⭐ are out in Provo as @BYUfootball hosts Portland State.https://t.co/WESlVT4P1I
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 31, 2025
First Quarter
LISTEN LIVE: @BYUfootball begins the 2025 season at home against Portland State on @kslnewsradio and:https://t.co/dvIpzU9Dyy pic.twitter.com/z21AkVL7RR
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 31, 2025
BYU’s running backs for tonight against Portland State:
– LJ Martin
– Sione Moa
– Jovesa Damuni
– Preston Rex
– Lucky Finau
– Charles Miska— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 30, 2025
BYU’s starting offensive line against Portland State:
LT – Isaiah Jatta
LG – Sonny Makasini
C – Bruce Mitchell
RG – Austin Leausa
RT – Andrew Gentry— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 30, 2025
Keanu Tanuvasa led the huddle cheer with the entire team at the conclusion of pregame warmups before they returned to the locker room.
The former Utah transfer is the emotional leader and one of BYU football’s top players on the field in 2025.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 30, 2025
Bear Bachmeier’s first drive as a BYU Cougar:
1-3 passing
5 yards
1 rush
4 yardsBYU’s drive stalled at the 32-yard line.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
BYU only gave LJ Martin one carry on the first offensive series of the game. That one attempt resulted in 12 yards.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
John Taumoepeau is a player I’ve been discussing frequently on Cougar Tracks during fall camp. He’s off to a strong start in the opener.
Taumoepeau is going to make some plays with how much attention Keanu Tanuvasa commands.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
The review determined that Parker Kingston’s punt return was fumbled. Portland State takes over on the BYU 37-yard line.
During the timeout, Kalani Sitake was debating with the referees.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
BYU’s special teams live up to their name once again.
Jack Kelly with a TD return after a blocked field goal. pic.twitter.com/g3N5EBDbp9
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
BYU defensive end Bodie Schoonover was given credit for the blocked field goal that led to Jack Kelly’s touchdown return.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
RELATED: Blocked Field Goal Results In First BYU Football TD Of 2025
.@BYUfootball opens the scoring with a FG block and scoop and score from linebacker Jack Kelly.https://t.co/Pt3g7aQS1Z
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 31, 2025
Bear Bachmeier’s first career touchdown pass is a four-yard TD to BYU star Chase Roberts.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
RELATED: Bear Bachmeier Finds Chase Roberts For First Career Touchdown Pass
BYU running back LJ Martin in the first quarter:
– Three carries
– 63 yards
– 21 ypc pic.twitter.com/V0OvCEO3Pe— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
Second Quarter
Noah Moeaki’s first career touchdown grab.
Former American Fork High standout is settling in within the tight end rotation in his redshirt freshman season.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
The speed from Raider Damuni.
Great pressure on third down from the junior safety.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
The speed from Raider Damuni.
Great pressure on third down from the junior safety.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
Bear Bachmeier was poised, collected on that TD play to Cody Hagen.
So much action and the true freshman handled it with ease.
BYU is rolling.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
SAM linebacker Ephraim Asiata called for targeting. The ruling was confirmed.
He has now been disqualified.
Asiata has a bright future ahead of him at BYU.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
Bear Bachmeier to Carsen Ryan. Excellent play for a gain of 25 yards.
First completion to the former UCLA/Utah tight end.
Ryan was a star in fall camp for BYU.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
Bear Bachmeier to Carsen Ryan for a 22-yard touchdown.
Two BYU tight ends have TD grabs in the first half.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
Sack number two goes to Southern Utah transfer DT Anisi Purcell.
It will be intriguing to see how he continues to develop in his BYU career.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
BYU QB Bear Bachmeier’s first 10 pass attempts against Portland State:
– Six completions
– 73 yards
– Three TDs
– 60% completion— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
Bear shows off the moves on the ground. Touchdown BYU. 🐻
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
Former American Fork star Noah Moeaki scores his first career TD with @BYUfootball https://t.co/uElC9RGFn2
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 31, 2025
RB LJ Martin keeps climbing the BYU football record books as a junior.@BYUfootball https://t.co/aYKDkAZzsd
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 31, 2025
Bear Bachmeier accounts for five touchdowns in the first half. https://t.co/AVFG3Qscrm
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
HALFTIME in PROVO
BYU – 49
Portland State – 0 pic.twitter.com/9EvdM0Gou5— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 31, 2025
Third Quarter
BYU 49, Portland State 0 – First Half stats pic.twitter.com/EHrx6IBUjS
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
McCae Hillstead opens the second half at quarterback.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
BYU put together an eight-minute drive to open the third quarter.
The drive concludes with a 25-yard field goal from Will Ferrin.
BYU leads Portland State, 52-0.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
Will Ferrin ties the BYU record for the longest field goal in program history.
56 yards!
Ferrin ties Owen Pochman’s 56-yard field goal against New Mexico in 2000. pic.twitter.com/f93YzJTZxB
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
Will Ferrin is 💵💵💵for BYU footballhttps://t.co/oKYdtKsljs
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 31, 2025
Dominique McKenzie’s first touch as a BYU Cougar results in a 41-yard rushing touchdown.
Speed on display tonight at wide receiver for BYU.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
Fourth Quarter
Impressive attendance from BYU fans tonight.
64,494 at LES for the season opener against Portland State.
Largest crowd in Provo since the 2009 TCU game, which was the game for BYU’s lone ESPN College Gameday appearance.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
Touchdown Charles Miska.
BYU – 69
Portland State – 0— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) August 31, 2025
BYU/Portland State: Game Day Content
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
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