09/12/26 06:10:00
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09/12 18:08 CDT Bear Bachmeier throws 3 TDs as No. 15 BYU beats Arizona 28-17
Bear Bachmeier throws 3 TDs as No. 15 BYU beats Arizona 28-17
By JOHN COON
Associated Press
PROVO, Utah (AP) --- Bear Bachmeier threw for 217 yards and three touchdowns to
rally No. 15 BYU to a 28-17 victory over Arizona on Saturday.
Bachmeier also ran for a touchdown to help the Cougars (2-0, 1-0 Big 12) earn
their first conference victory of the season. LJ Martin led BYU on the ground
with 98 yards on 20 carries. The Cougars improved to 6-0 against Arizona under
coach Kalani Sitake.
Noah Fifita threw for 230 yards and a touchdown and ran for another to lead the
Wildcats. Arizona (1-1, 0-1) was shut out after halftime after scoring on three
of its first six drives.
Bachmeier threw a pair of short touchdown passes to Kyler Kasper to help BYU
take a 28-17 lead with 6:10 left. Arizona had a shot at a go-ahead score
following Kasper's first TD, but Rodney Gallagher III was tackled short of the
marker at the BYU 17 on 4th down.
Fifita completed 6 of 7 passes on Arizona's opening drive and capped it by
scrambling 11 yards for a touchdown. BYU tied it on a 6-yard run by Bachmeier
after Cade Uluave returned an interception to the Arizona 9-yard line.
The Cougars took their first lead at 14-10, early in the second quarter when
Reggie Frischknecht took a short pass over the middle 25 yards for his first
career collegiate TD.
The Wildcats moved back in front 17-14 before halftime when Fifita found Shane
King on a 16-yard pass.
The Takeaway
Fifita was efficient at moving the chains throughout the first half. He made
clean reads and enough big plays to keep BYU's defense off balance. The
Wildcats held the ball 21 1/2 minutes in the first half while mounting two long
scoring drives totaling 22 combined plays.
BYU dialed up the defensive pressure as the game progressed. The Cougars
allowed minus-2 rushing yards after halftime and had back-to-back sacks on
Fifita in the fourth quarter.
Up Next
Arizona: hosts Northern Illinois next Saturday.
BYU: at Colorado State next Saturday.
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