GREENVILLE, N.C. – The BYU defense once again proved it can be one of the best in the country while decimating East Carolina in a 34-13 win.
Evan Johnson picked off consecutive ECU passes, with the second going for a pick six that gave his team a 13-3 halftime lead and all the momentum they would need in true freshman Bear Bachmeier’s first road start.
Cougs Win. Savvy? pic.twitter.com/kfDcnsLXMV
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 21, 2025
Bachmeier completed 18-of-25 passes for a career-high 246 yards and one touchdown to Carsen Ryan. He added 26 yards and a score on the ground, showcasing his dual-threat ability.
LJ Martin finished with his third consecutive 100-yard performance of the year after breaking a 41-yard run for his first touchdown of 2025.
Pregame
📻 Live from Greenville, NC 📻
Get ready for BYU vs. ECU with Cougar Sports Saturday on @kslnewsradio and the @kslsports app.#BYUFOOTBALL | @Mitch_Harper pic.twitter.com/AHyCoSA95r
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) September 20, 2025
A full game day preview and @Mitch_Harper predictions as BYU football prepares to face East Carolina.@BYUfootball https://t.co/j6hmoH1sgt
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 20, 2025
How many yards will LJ Martin run for tonight? pic.twitter.com/M9UDNhyahL
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) September 20, 2025
BYU will be without DT Justin Kirkland tonight against East Carolina. The former Oklahoma State transfer hasn’t appeared in a game yet for BYU.
BYU WR Tei Nacua made the trip and participated in warmups.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 20, 2025
BYU vs. East Carolina.
Here we go. pic.twitter.com/WMAGcL0Cu0
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 20, 2025
LISTEN LIVE: @BYUfootball is on the road to battle East Carolina on @kslnewsradio and:https://t.co/DaaK83dhod pic.twitter.com/hTYSisEhVf
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 20, 2025
First Quarter
Officials reviewed and announced that there was no fumble for Bear Bachmeier.
It was pretty obvious that the ground forced that fumble.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 20, 2025
An eventful opening to this BYU-East Carolina game:
– ECU starts things off with a 53-yard kick return
– BYU defense forces ECU into a Turnover on Downs
– BYU’s opening offensive play was a deep shot to Parker Kingston, but he couldn’t keep his feet in bounds.
– LJ Marting…— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 20, 2025
Will Ferrin boots a 40-yard field goal.
BYU’s star kicker is up to 23 consecutive made field goals, dating back to last season.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 20, 2025
Much better kickoff coverage on the second time around from BYU.
Miles Hall with a nice tackle on Parker Jenkins.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 20, 2025
BYU CB Evan Johnson with a Pass Breakup on an inside slant.
“Shmev” continues to step up.
Strong start from BYU’s defense.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 20, 2025
Tiger Bachmeier gets the nod at punt returner for BYU.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 20, 2025
BYU tight end Carsen Ryan has entered the medical tent.
East Carolina’s Teagan Wilk has been ejected for targeting for the hit on Ryan.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
Turnover on downs for BYU from the East Carolina 8-yard line.
4th & 1 … shotgun handoff to LJ Martin gets stuffed.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
Behind a big 33-yard run from London Montgomery, East Carolina was able to get into scoring position and tied it up with a 36-yard field goal.
Tie game.
BYU 3, ECU 3 – 0:18 remaining in the 1st
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
Strong showing from BYU fans here at East Carolina. pic.twitter.com/nqoZgOKOVP
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
Second Quarter
Acrobatic catch from Sione Moa to open the second quarter.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
BYU safety Faletau Satuala was in the medical tent. He’s currently being evaluated by trainers behind the bench. pic.twitter.com/5qNVn2nBnT
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
Where would BYU be without Will Ferrin?
He’s making a case as the greatest kicker in BYU history.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
Excellent coverage by BYU CB Therrian Alexander.
Alexander almost hauled in the interception while the ECU receiver was grabbing at his facemask.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
An illegal substitution penalty on BYU OE Logan Lutui negates a Tanner Wall interception that was returned into ECU territory.
Big swing right there.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
Kalani Sitake is still sharing his thoughts with the refs on their Illegal Substitution penalty call during the East Carolina timeout.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
Evan Johnson said not today 🚫🙅♂️@BYUfootball picks it off in the end zone!#Big12FB | 📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/cYYf8AvQxP
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) September 21, 2025
RELATED: BYU DB Ends ECU Drive With End Zone Interception
Jack Kelly, SACK! pic.twitter.com/pDxZncayTN
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
BEAUTIFUL @__Evxn 🤌
📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/6NYqkdep79
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 21, 2025
RELATED: Evan Johnson Gives BYU Halftime Momentum With Pick Six
Cougs on top at the half 🤙 pic.twitter.com/dPBEt7VinS
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 21, 2025
Third Quarter
BYU cornerback Evan Johnson on generating turnovers.
Two INTs tonight against East Carolina pic.twitter.com/Xv06wTAEHP
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 21, 2025
Jack Kelly gets his second sack of the night on ECU QB Katin Houser. pic.twitter.com/Kthjc2o86y
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
https://t.co/eFIJI758By pic.twitter.com/3dl2OO9vXV
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 21, 2025
TOUCHDOWN!
Bear Bachmeier connects with Carsen Ryan for a 20-yard TD.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
Both of those completions, 27 yards to Chase Roberts and a 20-yard TD to Carsen Ryan, Bear Bachmeier connects with wide-open receivers.
Excellent execution by BYU.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
Walk it in @CarsenRyan
📺ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/FIRtggJshU
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 21, 2025
BYU’s defense holds strong and maintains its streak of not allowing an opponent to score a touchdown.
ECU boots a 25-yard field goal with 2:27 remaining in the third.
BYU 20, ECU 6
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
Excellent pass from Bear Bachmeier to Parker Kingston near the sideline. Big-time throw.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
Bear Bachmeier eclipses the 200-yard passing mark for the first time in his BYU career.
He’s found his rhythm in the second half.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
The Boneyard is clearing out entering the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/GVqneFy75N
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
Bear Bachmeier TOUCHDOWN run.
16 yards, right up the middle of the ECU defense.
Tapping into those old running back days, great run. pic.twitter.com/BeW3LCTtmx
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
BYU freshman QB Bear Bachmeier is dealing right now.
He’s completed his last seven attempts, six of which were completed for at least 10 yards.
Then, he hits ECU with a big touchdown run on the ground.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
Bear Witness.
📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/jpjvhIimSM
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 21, 2025
BYU has allowed a touchdown for the first time this season.
ECU QB Katin Houser scores on a two-yard run with 8:11 remaining in the game.
Eleven consecutive quarters to open the year without allowing a touchdown.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
BYU senior Enoch Nawahine gets a carry. First look at Nawahine this season. He was dealing with an injury that he suffered in fall camp.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
LJ Martin finds the endzone for the first time this season!
41-yard touchdown run for LJ. pic.twitter.com/xG9pQRH3SV
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
LJ adding to his Strava
📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/RbZXxhQxGS
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) September 21, 2025
Final: BYU 34, East Carolina 13.
Cougs are 3-0 for the third consecutive season. pic.twitter.com/HoCvryTRNF
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 21, 2025
Key players to watch
Some key players to watch for BYU in this game include:
- QB Bear Bachmeier
- RB LJ Martin
- IOL Weylin Lapuaho
- LB Jack Kelly
- LB Isaiah Glasker
- CB Evan Johnson
Key players to watch from East Carolina:
- QB Katin Houser
- WR Anthony Smith
- WR Yannick Smith
- SAF Ja’Marley Riddle
- LB Samuel Dankah
KSL Sports is on location here in Greenville, North Carolina, for BYU vs. East Carolina.
Keep checking back here for updates and analysis throughout the game as BYU looks to jump out to a 3-0 start for the third consecutive season.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
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