Highlights from Cougars’ win over Portland State – Deseret News

The Deseret News is providing live coverage of Saturday’s game between BYU and Portland State. Check back for updates throughout the game.

Final score

BYU 69, Portland State 0

Fourth quarter

BYU 69, Portland State 0

1:55 — One final hurrah for the Cougars.

Redshirt freshman running back Charlie Miska found the end zone for his first career score and BYU’s ninth touchdown of the night. BYU 69, Portland State 0.

The Cougars have now scored their most points in a game under Kalani Sitake, with Miska the seventh different BYU player with a touchdown against the Vikings.

14:51 — Portland State still can’t stop the Cougars’ run game.

Receiver Dominique McKenzie took a jet sweep 41 yards for a touchdown and broke a few tackles in the process. BYU 62, Portland State 0.

BYU has now ran for 384 yards as a team, with seven different players running for at least 20 yards.

Third quarter

BYU 55, Portland State 0

2:09 — Let the All-American campaign for Will Ferrin begin.

Ferrin tied a school record by drilling a 56-yard field goal — the longest of his career as well. BYU 55, Portland State 0.

Ferrin has not missed a field goal for the Cougars since Sept. 28 of last year.

6:33 — Will Ferrin kicks a 25-yard field goal to cap a 15-play, 68-yard drive. BYU 52, Portland State 0.

McCae Hillstead replaced Bear Bachmeier for the start of the second half, throwing for 33 yards and rushing for another 23 in his first appearance for the Cougars.

Halftime

BYU 49, Portland State 0

The Bear Bachmeier era is off to a roaring start at BYU.

The true freshman accounted for five total touchdowns — three passing, two rushing — in the first half against Portland State, as the Cougars closed out the first 30 minutes of play with a commanding 49-0 lead.

BYU ended the half with 364 yards of total offense, with 267 coming on the ground.

Additionally, the Cougar defense has racked up two sacks and five tackles for loss — with Jack Kelly returning a blocked kick for a touchdown — to continue the unit’s 2024 success.

Second quarter

BYU 49, Portland State 0

0:49 — Tonight has officially turned into the Bear Bachmeier show.

Bachmeier scrambled for a 12-yard touchdown, weaving through several Portland State defenders before launching himself over the goal line for the score. BYU 49, Portland State 0.

Bachmeier has now produced five combined passing and rushing touchdowns tonight thus far in the first half — not a terrible way to begin a collegiate career.

3:35 — Carsen Ryan, welcome to BYU.

The Cougars’ new tight end capped a four-play, 91-yard scoring drive by hauling in a 22-yard touchdown from Bachmeier on an impressive juggling grab. BYU 42, Portland State 0.

Ryan also caught a pass for 25 yards earlier in the drive, with LJ Martin adding a 44-yard run as well.

BYU has now put up 306 yards of offense to Portland State’s 46, with Bachmeier having passed for 73 yards and three touchdowns.

6:15 — Put another touchdown on the board for Bear Bachmeier.

The true freshman QB plunged into the end zone on a four yard carry for his first career rushing score. BYU 35, Portland State 0.

BYU now has five touchdowns — from five different players — with more than six minutes still left to play in the first half.

6:40 — Jay Hill’s defense has its first takeaway of 2025.

A botched pitch by Portland State resulted in a fumble recovery by John Taumoepeau to give the Cougars possession at the Vikings’ 6-yard line. BYU 28, Portland State 0.

6:53 — BYU is running wild on the Vikings.

Receiver Cody Hagen took a well-designed reverse 57 yards to the house for his first career touchdown with the Cougars. BYU 28, Portland State 0.

BYU has now run for 183 yards at an average of 14.1 per attempt — midway through the second quarter.

9:52 — Bear Bachmeier adds another touchdown to his BYU debut.

Bachmeier found tight end Noah Moeaki on a crisp play action bootleg for a 5-yard score, extending the Cougars’ lead to 21 points. BYU 21, Portland State 0.

The play marks Moeaki’s first touchdown and reception of his collegiate career.

BYU has now amassed 125 total yards, with 111 coming on the ground. Bachmeier is 3 of 6 in passing for 14 yards and two touchdowns.

First quarter

BYU 14, Portland State 0

0:00 — Bear Bachmeier just notched his first career touchdown.

Bachmeier found Chase Roberts on a quick goal line out route to end the first quarter with a 4-yard score. BYU 14, Portland State 0.

BYU marched into the red zone thanks to a 49-yard run from LJ Martin.

Roberts now has 13 career touchdown receptions with the Cougars, and Bachmeier has become the fourth BYU quarterback to connect with him for a score, joining Jaren Hall, Kedon Slovis and Jake Retzlaff.

Through 15 minutes of play, Bachmeier has completed 2 of 4 passes for nine yards, also adding two carries for five yards on the ground.

3:58 — The Cougars have scored their first touchdown of the season, and it was one to remember.

BYU blocked a 57-yard field goal attempt, with linebacker Jack Kelly scooping up the loose ball and running 54 yards into the end zone for the score. BYU 7, Portland State 0.

Defensive lineman John Taumoepeau was credited with the block, and Kelly’s return marked BYU’s first touchdown off of a blocked kick since 2001 against San Diego State.

6:36 — BYU has its first gaffe of the 2025 campaign.

Parker Kingston fumbled on a punt return just before his knee touched the ground, with Portland State jumping on the loose ball to regain possession. BYU 0, Portland State 0.

The Vikings will continue their drive on BYU’s 37-yard line.

How to watch the game

BYU’s season opener against Portland State will be streamed on ESPN+ and requires a subscription.

Pregame prep

Here are a few stories to get you ready for BYU’s game against Portland State.