BYU Beats Arizona State After Big 12 Admits Touchdown Error

BYU signal-caller Bear Bachmeier passed for 236 yards and one touchdown as the Cougars held off Arizona State 27-20 in Provo on October 31. The win lifted BYU to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in Big 12 play; Arizona State fell to 4-4 and 2-3.

The Big 12 said after the game that replay officials made an error on BYU’s opening touchdown. Bachmeier fumbled near the goal line, and Sione Moa picked up the ball and ran it in. The conference said the play should instead have ended with BYU retaining possession at the 2-yard line and facing third-and-goal.

BYU led 17-3 at halftime, but Arizona State quarterback Jake Fette threw two third-quarter touchdown passes, including a 20-yard catch by Omarion Miller and a 1-yard score to Anthony Miller Jr., to tie the game. Fette finished with 166 passing yards. The Sun Devils’ comeback came despite a difficult first half in his first career start, when BYU recorded six sacks.

Matthias Dunn’s 45-yard field goal put BYU ahead in the fourth quarter. Later, Bachmeier converted two fourth downs during a 95-yard drive, which Moa finished with a 1-yard touchdown run with 2:09 remaining. Arizona State added a late field goal, but BYU recovered the onside kick.

BYU visits Utah next, while Arizona State hosts Colorado. The rivalry game in Salt Lake City is BYU’s next chance to build on the win.