BYU Notebook: Familiar names have big nights at LaVell Edwards Stadium
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- BYU’s Cannon DeVries races to the end zone on a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Utah Tech in a college football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
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- BYU fans at LaVell Edwards Stadium unfurl a large flag during a college football game against Utah Tech on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026.
Prep football in the Beehive State, and Utah County in particular, is on an all-time high and that was evident in BYU’s 63-7 blowout victory over Utah Tech Saturday night.
Two players, who were playing high school football right here in Utah County at Lehi High School just last season accounted for four Cougar touchdowns showing that they are indeed ready for the prime time.
Legend Glasker lived up to his first name by scoring three times in the first half, once on a jet sweep and then hauling in two scoring passes from Bear Bachmeier while showing off some good YAC, or yards after catch, especially on his third touchdown of the night, a 33-yarder. Glasker’s high school teammates, running back Devaughn Eka, also found the end zone on an 11-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Though not from Utah County, former Weber High School standout Cannon Devries electrified the Cougar faithful with a 100-yard kickoff return to paydirt.
Devries also shined as a punt returner with two returns covering 73 yards though one of those was brought back a bit by a Cougar penalty. But his pair of punt returns including one that went for 46 yards, combined with the 100-yard kickoff return scamper, showed that DeVries, just a sophomore, is an exciting talent.
As for Lehi, the Pioneers were also represented by Utah Tech starting linebacker Helaman Ofahengaue who had three tackles for the Trailblazers. Payson’s Zayden Cook also registered three tackles from his defensive lineman position for Utah Tech.
As expected
BYU fans were treated to a blowout victory and very little went awry for the Cougars. BYU head coach Kalani Sitake still lamented the five penalties, one of which came from a personal foul for blocking a player while out-of-bounds. There was a missed field goal and Utah Tech did manage to put a score on the board late in the third quarter.
But there were way more positives for BYU.
On defense, Tre Alexander secured an interception on the very first play of the game which set up Glasker’s first touchdown. Two more interceptions were secured, one by Evan Johnson, his eighth in a Cougar uniform, and another by Matthias Leach. Tausili Akana recovered a fumble giving BYU four turnovers caused on the night while the offense played a clean game in that department.
BYU held Utah Tech to 184 total yards but to just 52 yards in the first half. The Trailblazers didn’t blaze much trail at all as it took them to the third quarter to actually penetrate into Cougar territory.
The one time BYU had to punt, it worked out well with Fuller Shurtz booming a 54-yarder with no return. And as previously mentioned, the return game was sparkling.
On offense, Bachmeir passed for “only” 198 yards but remember, he watched the action from the sidelines the entire second half. BYU racked up 521 total yards. BYU had 308 total yards rushing with 11 different ball carriers as the Cougars were able to clear the bench. The same situation for the receiving corp as nine different players hauled in passes.
As for Utah Tech, their program is struggling and the first two games have been a nightmare. The Trailblazers were blown out by Montana State 54-0 followed by this 63-7 rout meaning Utah Tech has been outscored 117-7 so far in 2026. Last year the Trailblazers were 2-10 after going 1-11 in 2024. The only benefit Utah Tech seemingly got out of this game was the six-figure payout to make the bus ride north from St. George.
Cougar firsts
Not only did Glasker, Eka, and DeVries score their first touchdowns for BYU, Journee Tonga, another freshman, also crossed the goal line on a 4-yard run. Glasker scored the first touchdown for the Cougars to start the 2026 season. Bear Bachmeir’s first touchdown pass was to Jojo Phillips, a 5-yarder. And Kyler Kasper caught his first pass in a Cougar uniform which was on the very first offensive play of the season for BYU. Alexander secured the first Cougar turnover and his second interception of his career. Akana secured his first fumble recovery of his career and the first one for the Cougar defense this season. Meanwhile, Matthias Leach had his first career interception for BYU.
Clearing the bench
The blowout victory allowed the Cougar coaching staff ample opportunity to see plenty of players take field. A total of 29 Cougars registered tackles. In fact, the leading tacklers were back-ups as defensive end Kendal Wall, along with reserve safeties Jarrin Kalama and Leach, also had four tackles. As the game progressed BYU went deep into its bench allowing a lot of players to gain valuable experience. And kickers Matthias Dunn and Brody Laga hit six and three extra points respectively.
Michigan miracle
Former BYU linebacker and longtime University of Utah head football coach Kyle Whittingham, got his first victory as the helm of the Michigan program beating Western Michigan 13-12 on a hail mary on the final play of the game.
The play didn’t go without controversy as it appeared on the unsuccessful hail mary attempt before that the time had run out. But the officials put one second back on the clock giving Michigan one more try and JJ Buchanan high-pointed the ball from Blair Underwood on a 47-yard scoring connection. Buchanan was one of several players that followed Whittingham from Utah to Michigan.
While the Michigan offense was stale the entire game, the defense, led by former BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill, did its job. In fact, they kept Western Michigan out of the end zone as all 12 of the Bronco points were scored by field goals. And Western Michigan managed just 221 yards total offense.
Extra points: BYU is 54-10 under Kalani Sitake when the Cougars score first which they did in this game. … Glasker’s three total TDs are the most by a true freshman at BYU since RB Jamaal Williams scored four against Georgia Tech in 2012. … BYU had five rushing touchdowns which was the most rushing TDs in a game in 30 seasons. … Alumni flags were carried out by Josh Arnold (defensive back, 1988-91), Payton Wilgar (linebacker, 2018-22) and Max Tooley (linebacker, 2018-23). The team flag was carried by defensive lineman Justin Kirkland, the USA flag by Journee Tonga, and the State of Utah flag by Devaughn Eka. … Captains for the coin toss were quarterback Bear Bachmeier, center Bruce Mitchell, linebacker Isaiah Glasker, and defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa. BYU won the coin toss and elected to defer its choice to the second half. … Announced attendance for the game was 64,077.
