BYU walked into Jack Trice Stadium as one of six unbeaten teams in college football, and the Cougars walked out with a perfect 8-0 record in a 41-27 come-from-behind road win over Iowa State.
It was a historic win for BYU as the Cougars not only defeated the Cyclones for the first time in program history, but it’s also the first time the team has gone 8-0 in back-to-back seasons. The 41 points also matched the most in a Big 12 game since BYU joined the conference in 2023 and Saturday’s victory was the 80th for head coach Kalani Sitake (80-43).
Something special continues to be building in Provo.
Freshman sensation Bear Bachmeier threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another, and Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston each had over 100 yards receiving. The win was the third for the Cougars this season after trailing by multiple scores on the road.
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“We had a lot of things going against us in the beginning,” said BYU coach Kalani Sitake. “I’m glad our guys were able to hold their composure and keep pushing forward.”
“We never feel like we’re out of it,” Roberts added. “Even when we’re down a couple of touchdowns, we have the faith. Never lose faith in these guys or our coaches.”
Despite getting down by double digits on the road, the Cougars proved once again that it wasn’t something they can’t come back from. After a big emotional win over Utah last week, a sluggish start was expected as the Cougars have played poorly in previous wins over the Utes the following week.
It didn’t help either that Iowa State was coming off a bye week and would be throwing in some new wrinkles. And that’s exactly what happened as the Cyclones jumped out to a 24-10 lead in the first half, including a 75-touchdown pass on the opening play of the game.
After the trick plays started to wear off, the Cougars took control in the second half and limited the Cyclones to just 3 points and forcing multiple turnovers in the process, including a pick-6 from sophomore safety Faletau Satuala to put the game away.
Here’s a look at the reactions from around the country in BYU’s win over Iowa State:
Y’all wanna start talkin’ about the Cougs now? pic.twitter.com/SvSUcwCIyL
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 25, 2025
For the first time ever, @BYUfootball is 8-0 in back-to-back seasons! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/O7KuoxLkFs
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 25, 2025
BYU IS A TOP 10 COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) October 25, 2025
Just give him the Big 12 freshman of the year award already. No need for the awards every week 🤣
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) October 25, 2025
My new top ten based entirely on results on the field:
1. Texas A&M
2. Indiana
3. Ohio State
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. Ole Miss
7. Vanderbilt
8. BYU
9. Georgia Tech
10. Miami/Oregon (tie)— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 26, 2025
BYU got that Mormon Magic dog
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) October 25, 2025
Over the last few years, nobody has more wins in “trap games” and “sus spreads” than BYU
The Mormons got a special magic, an undeniable gift from the Gods. Respect
— Liam Blutman (@Blutman27) October 25, 2025
BYU True Freshman Bear Bachmeier vs Iowa State:
🔵 22/35
🔵 356 Total YDS
🔵 3 Total TDS
🔵 0 INTS@BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/V7gKb0ZwcW— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 25, 2025
BYU QB and True Freshman Bear Bachmeier is 8-0 and responsible for 2,104yds and 20 TDs…
With 4 games left in the season.
Who is this kid?
What planet is he from?
He’s not human.— Hans Olsen (@975Hans) October 25, 2025
Cap it off 0🫡
— Jakob Robinson (@jakobrobinson87) October 25, 2025
Go Cougs!!!! Gritty win baby 😎🤙🏽
— Fesi Sitake (@fsitake) October 25, 2025
NEVER A DOUBT!!! GO COUGS 🔵🔵🔵
— Raider Damuni 🇫🇯 (@raiderdamuni) October 25, 2025
Coug Nation came through as always!! Love you guys! GO COUGGGSSS! 💙 pic.twitter.com/K1hyUgqJm4
— Nusi Taumoepeau (@nusgotdajuice) October 26, 2025
Cougs by a million!!!! 🔥🔥
— Kyle Van Noy (@KVN_03) October 25, 2025
BYU is so resillient!! Love watching them rock mannnn#byuvsiowast
— Mitch Mathews (@mitchmathews10) October 25, 2025
BYU’s Kevin Doe with one of the biggest plays of the game as he pushes the Iowa State defender into the ball.
Football gods giving BYU a break after what happened last year against Kansas where the ball hit a BYU player in the back of the helmet. pic.twitter.com/PH0mgARxcY
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) October 25, 2025
Big Noon Kickoff: The Best Signs From Provo For The BYU-Utah Holy War
Lyons gotta take the full mission now
— Mattitude (@mattreedah) October 25, 2025
THE ULTIMATE BALL KNOWER STRIKES AGAIN. PUT RESPECT ON BYU’S NAME https://t.co/4IKFbFP66Z
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) October 25, 2025
Potential top 10 matchup in two weeks when BYU goes to Texas Tech. Chiefs are on bye, so Andy Reid and Mahomes can attend the game and be guest pickers. Should be a no brainer, @CollegeGameDay.
— Robby McCombs (@rtmccombs) October 25, 2025
@RGIII and @jasonbenetti are probably the best commentators on the air of any sport, college or pro! They are awesome! They praise both teams well, have great analysis, great humor, and they play off each other so well! Thank you @FOXSports for pairing them! Oh and #GoCougs! 🤙🏼
— bp (@forza_bp) October 25, 2025
Lots of Ute fans deleting tweets right now.
— Boney Fuller (@boneyfuller) October 25, 2025
that was BYU's most impressive win of the year, and you'll have a hard time convincing me otherwise
— Brandon Gurney (@BrandonCGurney) October 25, 2025
Satuala gets revenge with the pick-6 to give BYU its biggest lead of the game.
Cougs are rolling over Iowa State now. #Big12FB #CFB #BYUFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/pAizPIU4HX
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) October 25, 2025
The CFP Rankings will be released on November 4th.
BYU will be 8-0 at that time.
— New Sporty (@SportyMcSports) October 25, 2025
On GameDay @KirkHerbstreit called out Parker and Chase as the potential difference-makers in the game.
Sound analysis, Herbie. pic.twitter.com/N91IwB06UL
— Jake Welch (@BYUAllBlue) October 25, 2025
BYU 's second Big 12 win this season in which the Cougs come back from 14 points for the victory–tying the largest comeback in the Kalani Sitake era.
— Greg Wrubell (@gregwrubell) October 25, 2025
BYU quietly 8-0 with a solid win over Iowa State! https://t.co/AUJULez6Zo
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) October 25, 2025
BYU STAYS UNDEFEATED pic.twitter.com/11HjesVpAm
— Barstool Big 12 (@BarstoolBig12) October 25, 2025
The reason BYU continues to win… every player believes.
That’s coaching.
I’m ready for someone to Make Utah Believe Again.
— Ute Nation Alum (@UteNationAlum) October 25, 2025
Not sure how hurt LJ Martin and Siale Esera are, but THANK THE GOOD DUDE UPSTAIRS for a bye week next weekend
— Calvy J (@CJRealHoops1) October 25, 2025
I am glad we got that win but man Iowa State’s coach and program are so classy.
— Kramer (@KramerHolle) October 25, 2025
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All these replies is kind of exactly what I’m talking about… 😘
— Iowa State Fan Rick (@RickSanchezISU) October 26, 2025
Celebrating in Ames pic.twitter.com/BDXz0HJXru
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) October 25, 2025
Living rent free and we’re 8-0! Go Cougs!#BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/zYXoCizwrW
— BYU Fan (@tanderson002) October 25, 2025
The curse was broken! 😅 https://t.co/s7KPQDjf3t
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) October 26, 2025
At this point of the season, there’s no reason to place SIX one-loss teams ahead of BYU. pic.twitter.com/TxG0A8PWnq
— Nate Slack (@nateslack5) October 25, 2025
Bear Bachmeier is only the fifth BYU QB with nine or more rushing touchdowns in a single season:
Zach Wilson 10
Taysom Hill 10
Steve Young 10
Bear Bachmeier 9
Virgil Carter 9Bear has at least five more games remaining in the 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/CzqgMYzD5u
— Greg Wrubell (@gregwrubell) October 26, 2025
STOP DISRESPECTING BYU pic.twitter.com/HbCPDQp1mP
— Jack Settleman (@jacksettleman) October 25, 2025
just four months ago, BYU lost its senior starting quarterback in one of college football’s biggest offseason scandals.
today, the cougars are 8-0 and riding on the back of a kid who was at prom seven months ago… and at stanford a month after that.
miracle? nope. just faith. pic.twitter.com/Cs2PSV0b4q
— locked on big 12, america’s conference. (@LOBig12) October 25, 2025
You gotta give the Bear credit that kid is legit. The play like he has in an away game. You may hate BYU but it’s time to give credit where credit is due. For everyone that thought AROD sucked look at QB development under him. Give his Damn credit. Stop trying to fire him
— Coach Holliday (@eagle88me) October 25, 2025
Two years straight of winning isn’t luck Ute fans… https://t.co/Hn6HfXPeXp
— Ute Outsider 🪶⭕️ (@UteOutsider) October 25, 2025
Exclusive: NFL Ref Reacts To Controversial Roughing Call On BYU’s Isaiah Glasker
I will send you some cookies to enjoy while you read…
— Jason McGowan (@jasonmcgowan) October 25, 2025
If @BYU QB Bear Bachmeier doesn’t enter the @HeismanTrophy watch, I will relinquish any future opportunity to vote. I’m not from Utah nor am I Mormon. I’m a viewer with no dog in the fight. I am also an aging sports journo, and I know the truth when I see it. @BYUCougars #Bear
— Mike Wise (@MikeWiseguy) October 25, 2025
BYU goes down big on the road against a good team coming off a bye. They then lose their mike linebacker. Then they lose their leading rusher and best offensive player.
And they come back from down 14 to win?
I don't care if they caught some breaks. They took some punches too!
— Jeff Hansen (@rakoto10) October 25, 2025
1) Trap game — BYU always plays sluggish after an emotional Holy War
2) Iowa State is playing at home
3) Matt Campbell is a great coach, Cyclones rarely lose three in a row
4) ISU's backs are against the wall – can't afford another loss while BYU can.Should be fun/close game!
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) October 25, 2025
Love this team! Players are resilient and never doubted! Everyone it’s time to flash that SUPER Y!!!! #GoCougs https://t.co/cwoK34tipv pic.twitter.com/TOoCDykGGz
— coachkellypoppinga (@Coach_Popp) October 26, 2025
Sucks because I wanna be so pissed but they’re too damn likable
— 🌪️POP TART WORLD CHAMPS (@ISU_Clone2020) October 26, 2025
that undefeated feeling🤝 pic.twitter.com/GrPgayCh8Q
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) October 25, 2025
_ @BYUfootball see you soon 🫶 pic.twitter.com/scA1C3WgVs
— The ROC (@byuROC) October 26, 2025
What does “storming the field” mean in Iowa?
Is that like a failed harvest?
I’m confused.
— @BYU4eva (@BYU4eva) October 26, 2025
Such a great game. Jack Trice looked like such a great environment to play. Good luck the rest of the way. pic.twitter.com/a5Vo6gw3MK
— Brett (@BYU_SFGiantsFan) October 26, 2025
Quick recap of BYU vs Iowa St today for anyone that missed it. #BYUFOOTBALL #BYU #BYUvsISU pic.twitter.com/3aqjXjL1Ty
— Ben Mitchell (@WHITE_CONGO) October 26, 2025
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Big Noon Kickoff: The Best Signs From Provo For The BYU-Utah Holy War
