Freshman Bear Bachmeier threw for a career-high 351 yards, LJ Martin ran for two touchdowns and No. 23 BYU overcame a spate of mistakes to stop West Virginia 38-24 in Provo, Utah, on Friday night.
Bachmeier completed 18 of 25 passes with a touchdown and an interception for the Cougars (5-0, 2-0 Big 12 Conference), who outgained the Mountaineers 516-291. That was more than enough to overcome three turnovers that led to 14 points along with 10 penalties for 68 yards.
West Virginia (2-4, 0-3) lost its third straight game, all by at least two touchdowns. Redshirt freshman Khalil Wilkins rushed for 89 yards and a score on 23 carries but hit just 7 of 15 passes for 81 yards and two interceptions in his first start.
The first of those picks helped BYU initiate scoring in the first quarter. Therrian Alexander III pilfered Wilkins and returned it 49 yards, setting up Parker Kingston’s 1-yard touchdown run at the 9:14 mark.
Kingston made it 14-0 with 3:41 left when he took Bachmeier’s pass and lugged it 54 yards for his second score. It was one of six completions Bachmeier had of at least 20 yards and one of four that went for 35 or more yards.
Kade Hensley got the Mountaineers on the board with a 45-yard field goal just 45 seconds into the second quarter but Martin made it 21-3 on a 4-yard touchdown run with 5:17 on the clock. That came one play after Bachmeier hit Chase Roberts down the left sideline for an 85-yard gain.
Diore Hubbard drew West Virginia within 21-10 on a 3-yard scoring jaunt 1:58 before halftime. But Bachmeier, whose fumble set up that score, made up for it by powering in from the 2 with 19 seconds left for a 28-10 halftime lead.
Will Ferrin added a 37-yard field goal for the Cougars with 6:53 left in the third quarter, capping a drive of 7:59. Wilkins got the Mountaineers within 31-17 on a 6-yard run with 37 seconds remaining in the third.
Martin tacked on a 1-yard plunge at the 8:50 mark of the fourth quarter.
Backup quarterback Scotty Fox found Cam Vaughn for a 29-yard touchdown pass with 1:14 left for West Virginia to finish off the scoring.
