Rare air: Freshman to start at quarterback for BYU

by | Aug 19, 2025

When ECU hosts BYU on Sept. 20, it’ll be a game of first for two reasons.

Not only will it be BYU’s first-ever trip to Greenville for football, the Cougars will also have a freshman leading them at quarterback for the first time. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports Bear Bachmeier will be the starting quarterback. He will be the first true freshman in school history to start an opener for BYU when they host Portland State on Aug. 30.

Bachmeier becomes the quarterback after Jake Retzlaff transferred to Tulane. Retzlaff led the Cougars to an 11-2 record and a win over Colorado in the Alamo Bowl. However, he was expected to face a seven-game suspension for violating the school’s honor code.

Bachmeier transferred to BYU from Stanford, which is the Cougars’ second-week opponent before facing ECU. Bachmeier will also have his brother, Tiger, to throw passes. Tiger also transferred from Stanford and is a wide receiver.

Click here to read more.

Photo credit: Bear Bachmeier (ESPN photo illustration)

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