BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier’s late touchdown pass powered the Cougars to a thrilling 28-24 victory over Notre Dame on Saturday, igniting his powerful return to the Heisman Watch top contenders list. This wasn’t just any win, either, it was an all-around clinic that has the college football world absolutely buzzing.
Bachmeier’s Triple Threat Performance Shakes Up the Race
Seriously, this dude’s performance was out of control! Bachmeier threw a touchdown pass, ran for two scores, AND even *caught* a touchdown pass in what was easily one of the most dynamic showings of the season. Who does that?! That insane effort pushed BYU all the way up to No. 2 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll, proving they are legit contenders.
For the season, Bachmeier has been a force: six games played, completing 65.8% of his passes for 1,257 yards and nine touchdowns through the air. On the ground, he’s added 284 yards and another six touchdowns. In his last game alone, he completed 23 of 36 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown, ran for 45 yards and two scores, and capped it off with that wild touchdown catch. What an absolutely ridiculous stat line!
Fresh Faces and Stalwarts Join the Heisman Fray
It’s not just Bachmeier making waves, though. Oregon State receiver Jesse Legree just crashed the Heisman party for the first time, and this true freshman is absolutely cooking. Legree has already gained more than 100 yards receiving for the seventh time in as many games, and he’s leading the nation with a ridiculous 14 touchdown grabs. Get this, he became the first player in the FBS to reach 1,000 yards receiving during their 48-30 win over Washington State. That’s absurd for a freshman speedster.
Miami’s Malachi Toney is also back on the list after a brief absence, grabbing 11 catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns in a wild 43-35 double-overtime victory against Florida State. The Hurricanes are now sitting pretty at No. 1 in the AP Top 25, so you know Toney’s performance was clutch. And let’s not forget the consistent studs still holding strong: Miami QB Darian Mensah, Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss, and Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith are mainstays. Chambliss, for his part, has already racked up 1,676 passing yards and 14 touchdowns in six games, plus another six rushing touchdowns. He threw for 241 yards and three TDs in his last outing. These guys are the real deal, folks.
The Grind Is Real: Who Fell Off the Heisman Radar?
The Heisman race is brutal, and some big names took a tumble this week. Four players dipped from the top contenders to the fringe category after rough outings or tough losses. Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover lost to Ohio State, while Georgia QB Gunner Stockton got rocked at home by Auburn. Missouri running back Jamal Roberts was held in check in their loss to Ole Miss, and of course, Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr couldn’t keep up with Bachmeier’s BYU squad. Ouch, that’s gotta sting. Sporting News voters Cliff Brunt and Jeff Hauser are keeping tabs on every single play, compiling their watchlist for college football’s most coveted prize.
So, what’s next for Bachmeier? BYU visits Central Florida on Saturday, and you KNOW everyone will be watching to see if he can keep this multi-threat magic going. This Heisman race is getting hotter by the week, and these guys are just getting started. It’s gonna be a wild ride!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply