Julio Cortez, AP Photo<\/p>\n
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47), left, fumbles the ball after being hit by Texas Tech’s Anthony Holmes Jr., right, in the second half of a Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. <\/p>\n
BYU football beat reporter Brandon Gurney gives his grades for the Cougars\u2019 position groups and coaches for Saturday\u2019s 34-7 loss to Texas Tech in the Big 12 Conference Championship Game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.<\/p>\n
Quarterback: D<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no question that this was Bear Bachmeier\u2019s toughest game to date during his young college football career. Overall he completed 16-27 of his passes, but only accumulated 118 yards and threw two back-breaking interceptions late when attempting to state an improbable comeback. He was also held in check when running the football, managing just 24 yards on nine carries. Underscoring all of it was an apparent gimpy ankle that he battled through, sure, but was clearly affected by it following a very promising start to the game.<\/p>\n
Running Backs: B<\/p>\n
LJ Martin was much more effective this time around and ran for 76 yards on 19 carries while providing the Cougars with their only touchdown of the game. Martin proved physical and capable throughout while the rest of the offense sputtered considerably. Considering just how formidable Texas Tech\u2019s front is, Martin\u2019s 76 yards rushing is notable. Sione Moa was back in action, but didn\u2019t do much in either running the football or catching the ball in the flat.<\/p>\n
Wide receivers\/tight ends: C<\/p>\n
BYU\u2019s receivers didn\u2019t do enough to separate themselves to give Bachmeier more open windows to throw through. Senior receiver Chase Roberts wasn\u2019t afforded enough targets and finished with just 32 yards on three receptions. Parker Kingston contributed 44 yards on four receptions with tight end Carsen Ryan finishing with two receptions for 28 yards. And that was it. As has often been the norm, no other receiver stepped up, particularly JoJo Phillips, who had a critical drop during a third-down situation that could have proved pivotal in BYU\u2019s comeback bid.<\/p>\n
Offensive line: B-<\/p>\n
The offensive line wasn\u2019t the big problem when attempting to blame fault for BYU\u2019s offensive futility. No, the running lanes weren\u2019t busted open, but considering Texas Tech\u2019s formidable front, along with the inability to forget an semblance of a strong passing attack, the holes that were produced were well-earned. Pass protection was okay overall in producing a much better performance for the group overall than during last month\u2019s loss in Lubbock.<\/p>\n
Defensive line: C+<\/p>\n
The defensive line was okay, but didn\u2019t do enough to stand up to a Texas Tech offense that produced 215 yards on the ground. The play was great at the start, with good pressure played on Red Raider quarterback Behren Morton, but seemed to dissipate after, for whatever reason. Like most of the position groups on defense, too many tackles were missed to warrant a high grade overall.<\/p>\n
Linebackers: C<\/p>\n
The linebackers struggled in coverage and were overall not as impactful as needed. Both Isaiah Glasker and Jack Kelly were okay, but neither made the big impacts they needed to in order to swing the game\u2019s course. Glasker did sustained a big blow to his ankle which perhaps limited his effectiveness. Like the defensive line, there were too many missed tackles, although the defense, as a whole, deserves a lot of credit for bailing out the offense when put in tough situations.<\/p>\n
Defensive backs: B-<\/p>\n
Faletau Satuala showed very well early, as did Raider Damuni, and overall the coverages were good, but not great in yielding 215 yards passing to Texas Tech. Evan Johnson should have been afforded an offensive pass interference call on Texas Tech\u2019s first touchdown scored, and was just there in intercepting at least a couple of more balls. Cornerback Mory Bamba was picked on in the flat, but responded decently in making a couple of good open-field tackles.<\/p>\n
Special teams: D<\/p>\n
The decision to run a fake punt was questionable, at best, and the execution was downright awful. Also, Will Ferrin\u2019s missed 46-yard field goal could have jumped off the Cougars well in the second half, while providing a necessary boost, but his miss proved deflating as Texas Tech rolled to 21 unanswered points after. The Cougars needed a stellar performance from their special teams, but the fact that it didn\u2019t happen was a big reason why BYU proved ultimately uncompetitive.<\/p>\n
Coaching: C<\/p>\n
BYU looked extremely well-prepared coming out and were the better team after one quarter of play. The offensive gameplan and execution was stellar, and then it all unraveled quite dramatically. The offensive play-calling was questionable, although it\u2019s notable Offensive Coordinator Aaron Roderick may have been limited by Bachmeier\u2019s injury issues. The fake punt call was completely unnecessary and seemed way too desperate given the course of the contest. Sure, the defense stepped up to bail out the decision, but the coaching decision in attempting to execute it is a necessarily mark against the overall coaching performance.<\/p>\n