BYU tight end Carsen Ryan (20) celebrates with tight end Keayen Nead (45) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Jackson Payne
By Jackson Payne
Jackson has been writing about sports for the Deseret News since 2023.

For the first time since 2007, BYU has defeated TCU.

The Cougars bounced back from last week’s loss at Texas Tech to hammer the Horned Frogs 44-13 Saturday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium in arguably their best all-around performance of the season.

3 takeaways

BYU started fast — and pretty much never stopped. Over the past three games, the Cougars had scored just seven total first quarter points.

In the first 15 minutes on Saturday, BYU put up 10 points. By halftime, Bear Bachmeier and company had put a 27 on the scoreboard.

Against TCU, the Cougars scored on their first seven drives before finally allowing new punter Fuller Shurtz the opportunity to boot the ball away in the fourth quarter.

But by that point, punting didn’t even matter. BYU had all but won the ballgame.

In all, the Cougars racked up 447 total yards of offense at an average of 6.2 yards per play. They ran for 151 yards and threw for another 296, all while winning the clock battle with more than 36 minutes of possession time.

1 of 54
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) drops back to pass during the second half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
2 of 54
BYU defensive lineman Tausili Akana (13) hits TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) as he throws during the second half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
3 of 54
TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV (14) catches the ball ahead of BYU cornerback Mory Bamba (4) during the second half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
4 of 54
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake looks on during the second half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
5 of 54
BYU wide receiver Tiger Bachmeier (19) is tackled by TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr (3) during the second half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
6 of 54
BYU defensive end Nusi Taumoepeau (5) reacts after a sack during the second half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
7 of 54
BYU running back LJ Martin (4) flips the ball to a referee after scoring a rushing touchdown during the second half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
8 of 54
BYU tight end Carsen Ryan (20) is tackled by TCU Horned Frogs linebacker Namdi Obiazor (4) during the second half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
9 of 54
BYU defensive end Nusi Taumoepeau (5) is greeted by cheering teammates on the sideline after sacking TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10), not pictured, during the second half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
10 of 54
BYU wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) looks for a call after an incompletion during the second half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
11 of 54
A TCU Horned Frogs fan looks on during the fourth quarter of the game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
12 of 54
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake looks on during the second half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
13 of 54
TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) is helped up by offensive lineman Coltin Deery (51) after throwing an interception during the second half of the game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
14 of 54
BYU kicker Fuller Shurtz (19) punts the ball during the second half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
15 of 54
TCU Horned Frogs running back Jon Denman (13) is tackled by BYU defensive lineman Tausili Akana (13) during the second half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
16 of 54
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) runs through a tackle by TCU Horned Frogs safety Austin Jordan (1) during the second half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
17 of 54
BYU defensive back Evan Johnson (0) celebrates after sacking TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10), not pictured, during the second half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
18 of 54
Cosmo the Cougar is victorious in a dance battle with the TCU Super Frog during the second half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
19 of 54
BYU defensive back Evan Johnson (0) celebrates after a sack during the second half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
20 of 54
BYU safety Tanner Wall, left, celebrates with his teammates after returning an interception for a touchdown during the second half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
21 of 54
BYU safety Tanner Wall (28) celebrates after returning an interception for a touchdown during the second half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
22 of 54
BYU safety Tanner Wall, left, celebrates with his teammates after returning an interception for a touchdown during the second half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
23 of 54
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) celebrates with wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) and wide receiver Parker Kingston (11) after scoring a rushing touchdown during the first half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
24 of 54
BYU tight end Carsen Ryan (20) dives for a touchdown during the first half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
25 of 54
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake gestures to the student section as he arrives at LaVell Edwards Stadium before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
26 of 54
TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes looks on before the game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
27 of 54
BYU running back LJ Martin (4) looks on before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
28 of 54
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) rushes for a touchdown during the first half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
29 of 54
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) passes during warmups before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
30 of 54
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake and TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes talk at midfield before the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
31 of 54
TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) warms up before the game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
32 of 54
A BYU student holds up his phone so those around him can watch the ending of the BYU-UConn basketball game as they wait for the start of the BYU-TCU Horned Frogs football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
33 of 54
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) jogs onto the field for warmups before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
34 of 54
BYU punter Sam Vander Haar (35) removes his helmet to pray before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
35 of 54
BYU tight end Carsen Ryan (20) celebrates with tight end Keayen Nead (45) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
36 of 54
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) passes the ball to wide receiver Parker Kingston (11) during the first half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
37 of 54
TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) is knocked out of bounds during the first half of the game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
38 of 54
BYU running back LJ Martin (4) stiff-arms TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Channing Canada (7) during the first half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
39 of 54
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) runs with the ball during the first half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
40 of 54
TCU Horned Frogs kicker Nate McCashland (99) kicks a field goal during the first half of the game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
41 of 54
A fan holds up a sign during the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
42 of 54
BYU wide receiver Parker Kingston (11) catches a pass over TCU Horned Frogs safety Jamel Johnson (2) during the first half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
43 of 54
BYU defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa (57) attempts to block a pass by TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) during the first half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
44 of 54
BYU tight end Carsen Ryan (20) runs out of the reach of TCU Horned Frogs safety Jordan Lester (22) during the first half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
45 of 54
TCU Horned Frogs running back Jon Denman (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
46 of 54
BYU kicker Will Ferrin (44) gives a double thumbs-up to the sideline after making a field goal during the first half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
47 of 54
TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) drops back during the first half of the game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
48 of 54
BYU kicker Will Ferrin (44) and punter Sam Vander Haar (35) high-five after Ferrin kicked a field goal at the end of the first half of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
49 of 54
TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes looks on during the first half of the game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
50 of 54
TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes reacts after his team was called for a pass interference penalty during the first half of the game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
51 of 54
Cosmo the Cougar zip lines from the top of the stadium during a break in play during the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
52 of 54
BYU defensive end Orion Maile-Kaufusi (10) signs a hat for a young fan before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
53 of 54
BYU defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa (57) looks on as he arrives at LaVell Edwards Stadium before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
54 of 54
BYU players arrive at LaVell Edwards Stadium before the game against the TCU Horned Frogs in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Bear Bachmeier was excellent and LJ Martin was back to his typical self. Both Bachmeier and Martin came into Saturday looking to break out of recent lulls, and TCU more than offered them the opportunity to do so.

Bachmeier completed 23 of 33 passes for 296 yards, connecting with tight end Carsen Ryan for a 43-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.

The true freshman also ran 10 times for 59 yards and scored his 10th rushing touchdown of the season, tying BYU’s program record for quarterbacks.

Martin, who left BYU’s win at Iowa State early with an injury and was unspectacular against Texas Tech, logged 21 carries for 88 yards and a score, while also catching four passes for 34 yards.

BYU’s response to last week’s loss was outstanding. After falling 29-7 a week ago at Texas Tech, the Cougars came out Saturday with a visible sense of urgency and intensity.

View Comments

BYU scored on its first drive and never looked back. The Cougars committed just two penalties, only had one turnover (a fourth quarter fumble on a punt) and held a bowl-eligible TCU team to its lowest point total of the season.

The Cougars even found some style points, with Tanner Wall’s fourth quarter pick-six helping BYU cross the 40 point threshold and clinch a win by more than 30 points — something the Playoff committee will like to see.

BYU has a massive matchup at Cincinnati next week that could make or break the Cougars’ chances to reach the Big 12 title game.

But after Saturday’s showing, BYU fans should feel much more confident about getting the job done in the final two contests of the regular season.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.