The Deseret News is providing live coverage of Saturday’s game between BYU and East Carolina. Check back for updates throughout the game.
Final
BYU 34, East Carolina 13
Fourth quarter
BYU 34, East Carolina 13
3:44 — LJ Martin adds the exclamation point to what should be an impressive BYU win.
The Cougar running back took advantage of an all-out ECU blitz on 3rd and 14, dashing 41 yards untouched into the end zone for his first touchdown of the year. BYU 34, East Carolina 13.
Martin has now eclipsed 100 yards rushing for the third straight game in 2025.
8:11 — After more than 11 quarters, BYU’s defense has finally given up a touchdown.
Katin Houser found the end zone on a quarterback keeper to cap a 12-play, 97-yard drive for the Pirates, though the score likely won’t be able to change the final outcome of tonight’s matchup. BYU 27, East Carolina 13.
12:29 — Bear Bachmeier just made his excellent night even better.
The freshman QB scampered up the middle for a 16-yard touchdown, all but burying the Pirates with less than quarter left to play. BYU 27, East Carolina 6.
Bachmeier now has eight touchdowns through three games — four rushing, four passing — while completing 73% of his passes for 233 yards thus far tonight against the Pirates.
Third quarter
BYU 20, East Carolina 6
2:27 — The Pirates kick a field goal to pull within 14 points. BYU 20, East Carolina 6.
Though East Carolina reached as far as 1st and goal on the BYU 5-yard line, the Cougar defense clutched up once again and kept its touchdown-less streak alive.
6:33 — BYU’s offense bounces back.
Bear Bachmeier found Carsen Ryan on a play action design for a 20-yard touchdown pass to put the Cougars ahead by three scores. BYU 20, East Carolina 3.
Bachmeier now has four touchdown passes on the season — this was his first since Week 1 against Portland State — while Ryan has found the end zone twice as a Cougar.
Having started the drive on the ECU 47-yard line, BYU only needed two plays to score, as Bachmeier found Chase Roberts for 27 yards before Ryan’s touchdown.
Halftime
BYU 13, East Carolina 3
The Cougar defense is playing hero once again.
Two Evan Johnson interceptions highlighted the first 30 minutes of play, with his first pick preventing a touchdown and his second scoring one for BYU.
The Cougars have allowed 168 yards of offense while holding the Pirates to a 3 of 8 mark on third down and 0 for 1 on fourth.
Most impressively, BYU’s defense still has yet to allow a touchdown through the first 10 quarters of the season.
Bear Bachmeier has been somewhat shaky at quarterback, but he’s still completed 9 of 14 passes and flashed his potential on a few throws.
Outside of LJ Martin’s 45 yards on five carries, BYU is averaging just two yards per carry, with ECU’s run defense continuing its early season success.
The Cougars will receive the second half kickoff.
Second quarter
BYU 13, East Carolina 3
0:56 — Have a night, Evan Johnson.
Johnson snatched his second interception of the night, this time on the East Carolina 4-yard line and with no one in his way for a walk-in pick-six. BYU 13, East Carolina 3.
Johnson’s first interception came in the red zone to prevent an ECU touchdown. His second came with the Pirates playing out of BYU’s end zone, allowing him to score the easy touchdown.
Johnson is the first BYU player with two interceptions in a game since Eddie Heckard in 2023.
4:34 — Evan Johnson to the rescue.
With the Pirates on the move and in the red zone, BYU’s junior cornerback picked off Katin Houser in the end zone to swipe possession back for the Cougars. BYU 6, East Carolina 3.
It got close there, but BYU’s defense still has yet to allow a touchdown this season through nearly 10 quarters of play.
10:50 — Another Will Ferrin field goal puts the Cougars ahead once again. BYU 6, East Carolina 3.
BYU had its most encouraging drive of the night, though the Cougars’ red zone woes returned to hold them to just three points.
With the run game losing steam, Bear Bachmeier began throwing more, pushing the ball downfield with completions to Parker Kingston, Chase Roberts and Carsen Ryan, with Roberts picking up 40 yards on his reception.
But even with a 1st and 8 on the 8-yard yard, the Cougars still couldn’t find the end zone.
BYU has accumulated 149 total yards thus far — 118 passing and 31 rushing — but is just 2 of 6 on third down and has only scored on 1 of 2 red zone trips.
First quarter
BYU 3, East Carolina 3
0:18 — East Carolina ties things up with a 36-yard field goal. BYU 3, East Carolina 3.
While BYU’s offense has sputtered tonight, the Cougars have held the Pirates to 0 for 4 on third down thus far.
9:58 — Will Ferrin opens up tonight’s scoring with a 40-yard field goal. BYU 3, East Carolina 0.
LJ Martin did most of the heavy lifting on the Cougars’ eight-play, 38-yard opening drive, rushing for 36 yards on his own.
BYU gained possession after its defense forced an ECU turnover on downs, with the Pirates’ drive having been derailed by a fumbled third down snap.
Ferrin has now made 23 consecutive field goals, extending his program record.
How to watch the game
BYU’s showdown with East Carolina will be broadcast on ESPN2 and can be streamed through the ESPN app.
Pregame prep
Here are a few stories to get you ready for BYU’s game against East Carolina.