BYU’s defense came alive again, and BYU routed the East Carolina Pirates.
BYU Football is 3-0, and it feels good. The Cougars cruised through Greenville, winning 34-13. The Cougars started slow, but ended up running away with it in the second half. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw for 246 yards and a touchdown, along with a rushing touchdown. The Cougars had a strong defense as well, holding ECU below 14 points. A pick-six to end the half was a key turning point, and BYU turned ECU over twice, and it could have been more.
The game started with ECU in possession of the ball in BYU territory, but penalties accumulated, forcing ECU to punt. BYU successfully moved the ball, but failed to convert on fourth down in the red zone. ECU punted again, and BYU put together a nice drive that ended in a 40-yard Will Ferrin field goal. ECU would answer with a 36-yard field goal. On the next Cougar drive, BYU would hit a 23-yard field goal.
ECU would drive down the field and get into the red zone before throwing an interception. BYU would run down the clock and eventually punt. The punt return would be muffed, and ECU would have the football on its own two-yard line. The ball was picked off, and BYU got a pick-six. BYU would score three touchdowns in the second half, and all East Carolina could muster was one touchdown and a field goal.
BYU looked good tonight. There were some sloppy moments, but the good outweighed the bad. Bachmeier looked ready, and the defense was electric, as usual. BYU scored more against East Carolina, aided by two Will Ferrin field goals and an Evan Johnson pick-six. The Cougars held the Pirates to just one touchdown, and the two turnovers resulted in a scoring opportunity for BYU and took an ECU touchdown off the board.
Three Takeaways from BYU’s win over East Carolina
- This defense is fierce: The Cougars have only allowed 16 combined points this year, and this game, while higher scoring, was a perfect showcase of BYU’s defensive prowess. Jay Hill had all the right schemes, and BYU was ready for whatever ECU threw their way.
- BYU kicking is in good hands: Between kicker Will Ferrin and punter Sam Vanser Harr, BYU is looking good with kicking and punting. Vander Harr pinned ECU deep several times while Ferrin kept the solid kickoffs coming and contributed to ten BYU points between field goals and PATs.
- Bear Bachmeier is pretty good: BYU picked Bear Bachmeier to be the starting quarterback for BYU, and we are seeing why. Bachmeier is a talented passer who can also get you on the run. His decision-making is good for a true freshman quarterback, and he is very good at his job.
BYU is getting better. This is a good year to prove that 2024 wasn’t a fluke and that this team can compete at the highest level. The Cougars have a solid base to work off, and this could be a big year. BYU can only go up from here, and I am excited to see where it goes. Enjoy the win for a couple of days, and then it is on to the next one.
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- BYU Football Player Spotlight: Talented Kicker Will Ferrin
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