In a night game that had Provo buzzing under the lights, the No. 23 BYU Cougars pulled away from a gritty West Virginia squad, securing a 38-24 win to stay undefeated at 5-0. The Mountaineers, now 2-3 overall and struggling in conference play, couldn't keep pace after an early push. BYU's offense, led by freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, clicked just enough to overcome some sloppy turnovers that kept the game closer than it should have been.
Chase Roberts emerged as a key weapon for the Cougars, hauling in crucial catches that stretched the field and opened up the run game. His routes looked sharp against WVU's secondary, which has been leaky all season. Indeed, Roberts finished with several big grabs, including a touchdown reception that silenced any doubts about BYU's passing attack. But it wasn't all smooth; the Cougars fumbled twice in the first half, gifts that WVU capitalized on with a late touchdown before the break, trailing 28-10 at halftime.
However, West Virginia's offense, hampered by injuries and inconsistent play-calling, faltered in the second half. Their quarterback managed just 180 yards through the air, and the run game stalled against BYU's stout defense. The Mountaineers mounted a brief comeback, cutting the lead to 11 points on a turnover return for a score, but BYU responded with a methodical drive capped by another field goal. Moreover, the Cougars' special teams flipped the momentum, pinning WVU deep throughout.
BYU's victory solidifies their spot in the Big 12 hunt, but those uncharacteristic errors—a fumbled snap here, an intercepted pass there—hint at vulnerabilities that tougher foes could exploit. Still, with Roberts and Bachmeier growing together, the Cougars look poised for more. West Virginia heads home licking wounds, wondering what might have been without the absences.
As the Big 12 season heats up, one can't help but ponder if BYU's hot start is the real deal or just early-season luck.