Bear Bachmeier rushes for 98 and throws 2 TDs — BYU edges Colorado 24–21 in Boulder as Isaiah Glasker’s late pick seals it. Full recap, stats & reaction.
BYU vs Colorado — the 25-word lead
Freshman Bear Bachmeier ran for 98 and threw two TDs, Cody Hagen’s fourth-quarter run broke a late tie, and BYU held on 24–21 at Folsom Field.
Why Colorado vs BYU mattered this week
A Big 12 home opener in Boulder rarely lacks drama. Saturday’s matchup carried implications beyond the scoreboard:
- Conference identity: BYU’s win keeps the Cougars unbeaten and 4–0 overall — a strong start that matters for national ranking and Big 12 seeding. Colorado’s loss drops the Buffs to 2–3 and 0–2 in conference play, a stingier position for Coach Deion Sanders’ group.
- Quarterback storylines: BYU started freshman Bear Bachmeier (fourth career start) and he delivered a multi-dimensional performance; Colorado leaned on Kaidon Salter’s playmaking (and youth) in a fast-paced attack. NFL scouts, Big 12 analysts, and local fans all watched how both signal-callers fared.
- Coaching & situational football: Late decisions and two-minute management (including a controversial punt decision by Colorado late) were hot topics after the game — tiny margins that decide late-season positioning. Sports Illustrated’s analysis flagged a questionable fourth-quarter choice by Deion Sanders as pivotal.
Those three storylines — conference stakes, young QBs, and coaching choices — are why this result will reverberate through the week’s conversations.
Cosmo told us the Cougs are 4-0#Big12FB | @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/7UhnvcEswc
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 28, 2025
Final score & the five most important facts (load-bearing, sourced)
- Final: BYU 24, Colorado 21.
- Bear Bachmeier: Completed 19-of-27 for 179 passing yards and 2 TDs, and rushed for 98 yards on 14 carries (stat lines rounded per box score).
- Cody Hagen: Scored on a 32-yard touchdown run early in Q4 that put BYU ahead.
- Game-sealing play: BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker intercepted Kaidon Salter’s pass with 50 seconds left to clinch the road victory.
- Colorado’s early surge: Colorado jumped out to a 14–0 lead on their first two possessions before BYU adjusted. (Vanquish The Foe)
(Those five points are the most load-bearing facts readers search or click for; they’re cited to AP/ESPN/CBS and Colorado/BYU coverage.)
Game narrative — quarter-by-quarter
First quarter — Buffs roar out of the gates
Colorado opened with two quick touchdown drives, moving fast and converting on early opportunities. Kaidon Salter and playmakers like Drelon Miller found seams and created numbers in transition — the Buffs looked sharp and organized in the early possessions. BYU’s offense sputtered briefly against a swarming Colorado front, and the scoreboard read 14–0 in favor of the home side.
Second quarter — BYU answers back, half tightens
BYU slowly settled. Bear Bachmeier began to find rhythm on play-action and designed QB runs; BYU methodically cut the deficit and added points before halftime to keep the game within reach. The half ended with both teams trading possessions and the game level enough for either side to believe. (Live blogs and recaps show the narrative shift.)
Third quarter — chess match, defense bends but doesn’t break
Both defenses made adjustments; Colorado’s pace still threatened, but BYU’s run game and defensive response limited big plays. The third quarter was a tactical stretch where field position, special teams, and clock management started to matter more than explosive plays. (247Sports)
Fourth quarter — Hagen’s dash and Glasker’s dagger
Early in the fourth, Cody Hagen ripped a 32-yard TD run that flipped the scoreboard and put BYU ahead. Colorado answered with a late red-zone sequence to tie or retake (depending on drive chronology), but with under a minute left Isaiah Glasker’s interception off Kaidon Salter ended Colorado’s final push and sealed BYU’s 24–21 win.
[Note: Images are collected from Instagram]
Player spotlight — who swung the game
Bear Bachmeier (BYU QB) — freshman who handles fire
Bachmeier’s dual-threat line (≈179 pass yds, 98 rush yds, 2 passing TDs) is the kind of profile that immediately reads as “future starter” material. He avoided turnovers and made key third-and-long conversions in clutch moments, showing poise beyond his years. Local outlets and BYU beat writers praised his calmness on late drives.
Why the performance matters: BYU’s offense becomes much harder to game-plan for when the QB threatens with both arm and legs; Bachmeier’s production signals BYU can maintain an elite-level ground/air balance even in hostile environments.
Cody Hagen (BYU RB) — the breaker
Hagen’s 32-yard touchdown dash in the fourth was the game’s decisive explosive play. He finishes with a strong late-drive contribution and showed vision and breakaway speed in the fourth. That run converted BYU’s time of possession advantage into points at the moment that counted.
Kaidon Salter (Colorado QB) — bright moments, costly turnover
Salter engineered the Buffaloes’ early success and connected repeatedly with Drelon Miller; his early drives set the tone. Late in the fourth, however, an interception (to Glasker) ended Colorado’s comeback hopes. Sports Illustrated took particular note of late coaching decisions that may have impacted Salter’s options.
Isaiah Glasker (BYU LB) — game finisher
Glasker’s late interception with 50 seconds remaining was the decisive play. It capped a defensive performance that bent early but tightened when needed; BYU’s ability to force the turnover under pressure was a season-defining moment for that unit.
Coaching & tactical analysis — what won the game
BYU adjustments after the early deficit
After Colorado’s fast start, BYU coaches tightened run fits and dialed up QB-run packages to neutralize Colorado’s speed. The Cougars’ ball-control drives and designed QB runs for Bachmeier took pressure off the defense and gradually flipped field position in BYU’s favor. The second-half tempo control and third-down conversions were the backbone of the comeback.
Colorado’s aggressive start — cost and reward
Colorado’s early success came from aggressive pace, creative play-calling, and exploitations of matchups. But in late game management, a sequence of sacks and a late interception (plus a punt decision noted in SI as questionable) cost them opportunities to control the clock. Deion Sanders’ in-game choices were debated heavily by analysts — particularly a punt after burning a timeout in the fourth that left the Buffs with less margin for error. (The Ralphie Report)
Key stats & advanced look (what the numbers said)
- Total yards after the first two Colorado drives: BYU held Colorado to around 154 yards after the Buffs’ opening drives — showing a defensive clampdown that limited big plays thereafter. (Vanquish The Foe)
- Bachmeier’s rushing impact: A QB running for nearly 100 yards stretches a defense and creates lanes for designed runs and play-action — BYU got value out of that scheme all night.
- Turnover margin: The interception by Glasker was the decisive turnover — turnovers in the late two minutes have outsized win-probability impact. (CBSSports.com)
When you publish, embed ESPN’s box score and a simple win-probability chart to show how BYU’s late comeback swung the odds.
Standings & broader season implications
- BYU: Improvement to 4–0 (and 1–0 in Big 12 play per conference schedule) keeps the Cougars in national conversation and strengthens their CFP / New Year’s positioning if they keep winning. Momentum matters in midseason polls.
- Colorado: Falls to 2–3 (0–2 Big 12), now facing uphill climb in conference play. The Buffs must rebalance situational execution, especially in close games. (The Ralphie Report)
Upshot: BYU’s win is résumé-building; Colorado must regroup quickly to stay competitive in a stacked Big 12.
Injury, availability notes & what to watch for in practice reports
No major season-ending injuries were reported in immediate postgame releases. Both teams will monitor knocks and minor injuries in the standard 24–72 hour window. Expect official practice reports from BYU and Colorado to update QB/skill-position statuses ahead of next week’s matchups (BYU heads home to face West Virginia; Colorado reportedly travels to TCU). (University of Colorado Athletics)
Social & fan reaction — the pulse after the final whistle
- BYU fans: Celebration and relief — social timelines showcased clips of Hagen’s run, Bachmeier’s composure, and Glasker’s interception. Local BYU outlets framed the win as a signature road moment.
- Colorado supporters: Frustration with late-game management and missed opportunities; forums debated Sanders’ fourth-quarter calls and encouraged changes to late-game strategy. Sports Illustrated and local Buffs coverage highlighted those talking points. (SI)
Where to watch & how fans caught the action (replays and highlights)
- Live broadcast: The game aired nationally on ESPN (Big 12 window); check ESPN+ replays for on-demand streaming. Broadcast schedules for Big 12 games can be found on ESPN/Big 12’s official sites. (Vanquish The Foe)
- Highlights & clips: ESPN, CBS Sports (gametracker), Deseret, and BYU/CU athletic channels all posted condensed highlights and key plays within minutes of final whistle — search “BYU vs Colorado highlights 24-21” on YouTube for official clips.
- Box score & play-by-play: Use ESPN game page and CBS Sports gametracker for full play-by-play, drive charts, and advanced stats.
Common fan FAQs (quick answers)
Q: What was the final score?
A: BYU 24, Colorado 21. (ESPN.com)
Q: Who was the BYU QB and how did he play?
A: Freshman Bear Bachmeier — 19-for-27 passing (≈179 yds, 2 TDs) and 98 rushing yards; key fourth-quarter composure. (KSL)
Q: Who sealed the game for BYU?
A: Isaiah Glasker’s interception with 50 seconds left sealed the win. (CBSSports.com)
Q: Where can I watch the highlights?
A: ESPN highlights, CBS Sports gametracker, BYU/Colorado official YouTube channels and Deseret’s highlight package. (Deseret News)