A Wild Comeback Under the Lights
Saturday night in Boulder delivered the kind of drama college football fans crave. The No. 25 BYU Cougars rallied from a two-touchdown deficit to edge out the Colorado Buffaloes 24-21, thanks to a gutsy fourth-quarter performance and a game-sealing interception that left Folsom Field in stunned silence.
Early Fireworks, Late-Game Grit
Colorado came out swinging, racing to a 14-0 lead in front of a raucous home crowd. Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter looked unstoppable in the opening minutes, orchestrating two quick touchdown drives that had the 52,000-plus fans believing in an upset.
But BYU, led by freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, refused to fold. The Cougars methodically clawed back, scoring 17 unanswered points to take the lead before Colorado briefly regained control. The turning point came early in the fourth quarter: BYU dialed up a “tornado reverse” — a misdirection handoff to Cody Hagen, who sprinted 32 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
Bachmeier’s Breakout and Defensive Stand
Bachmeier, just 19 years old, showcased poise beyond his years. He completed 19 of 27 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns, both to Chase Roberts, and added 98 rushing yards on 15 carries — the second-most ever by a BYU freshman quarterback, trailing only Taysom Hill.
BYU’s defense, after a shaky start, tightened up and held Colorado to just 154 yards after the first quarter. The final blow came with 50 seconds left: linebacker Isaiah Glasker intercepted Salter, sealing the Cougars’ victory and preserving their unbeaten record.
Coaching Chess Match and Big 12 Stakes
This game wasn’t just about the players. The sideline duel between BYU’s Kalani Sitake and Colorado’s Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders added intrigue, with both coaches known for their contrasting styles and mutual respect. Sitake praised Bachmeier’s composure, saying, “He didn’t ever look like he was frazzled or that he was shell-shocked at all. He was a cool customer and I loved the way he was leading out there”.
For BYU, now 4-0 (1-0 Big 12), the win keeps their conference title hopes alive and cements their reputation as road warriors. Colorado, meanwhile, faces tough questions about its defensive consistency and bowl eligibility prospects as the season grinds on.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
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BYU: The Cougars look to build on their momentum as they continue their Big 12 campaign, with Bachmeier’s emergence giving fans hope for a special season.
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Colorado: Coach Prime’s Buffaloes must regroup quickly, especially on defense, if they want to stay in the postseason hunt.
Takeaways
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BYU’s resilience and balanced offense proved too much for Colorado’s struggling defense.
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Bear Bachmeier is quickly becoming one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the Big 12.
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Colorado’s fast start fizzled, raising concerns about their ability to close out games against top-tier opponents.
The Big 12 race just got a lot more interesting — and BYU’s comeback in Boulder will be remembered as one of the season’s defining moments.
Sources
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3. BYU pulls out an improbable 24-21 victory over Colorado
4. BYU vs. Colorado Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets - Bleacher Nation
5. Colorado Falls To No. 25 BYU - University of Colorado Athletics
6. Football - BYU Cougars On SI - Sports Illustrated
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8. Covers.com - Sports Betting Odds, Lines, Picks & News 2025
9. Deion Sanders Makes Questionable Decision in 4th Quarter of ...
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13. Kalani Sitake | BYU Football | Postgame Press Conference | Colorado
