When BYU’s Bear Bachmeier takes the field against Portland State in Provo, Utah, on Saturday, he will be the first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener for the Cougars.Bachmeier transferred from Stanford after spring practices and earned a shot to claim the starting job after returning starter Jake Retzlaff left the program and transferred to Tulane.He earned the assignment for the opener when he beat out McCae Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet in fall camp. His older brother, Tiger, is a wide receiver on the team who transferred with him.Their other brother, Hank, was a starting quarterback for Boise State, Louisiana Tech and Wake Forest over six seasons.”He’s done a great job being the leader and connecting with his teammates,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said of Bear Bachmeier. “I think he’ll be ready. Looking at his demeanor, and his intelligence, and the things he’s picking up, he’s amped up. He’s ready to play.”Bachmeier is only the eighth quarterback in program history to start any game as a true freshman and the first since Zach Wilson in 2018. His learning curve could be short since the Cougars return their top receiver and top rusher from a year ago.Chase Roberts had 52 receptions for 854 yards and four touchdowns last season. LJ Martin emerged as a star in the backfield with 718 yards rushing and seven touchdowns while averaging 5.24 yards per carry.Despite just arriving to college, Bachmeier has won over his teammates with poise and leadership.
