BYU Cougars wide receiver Legend Glasker (1) is lifted up in the air by his teammate Andrew Gentry (75) after scoring a touchdown during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
Jackson has been writing about sports for the Deseret News since 2023.
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BYU left no doubt in its season opener.
The Cougars kicked off their 2026 campaign with an emphatic 63-7 win over Utah Tech Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium, leading 42-0 at halftime and never looking back.
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BYU defenders stuff Utah Tech Trailblazers running back Ace Chatman (0) at the line during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake, right, watches his kicker kick a PAT during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars running back Devaughn Eka (25) celebrates a touchdown during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars tight end Noah Moeaki (82) gives high-fives to fans as he leaves the field after a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU students cheer on their team during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) high-fives fans as he leaves the stadium after a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars wide receiver Jared Esplin (33) runs with the ball during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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A performer takes the field between the third and fourth quarters of a game between BYU and Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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A performer takes the field between the third and fourth quarters of a game between BYU and Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars running back Devaughn Eka (25) dives for the end zone during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU players sing the fight song in front of the student section after a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Cougars safety Kennan Pula (7) deflects the ball from reaching Utah Tech Trailblazers wide receiver Dajon Harrison (1) during a game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Utah Tech Trailblazers head coach Lance Anderson watches his players during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU President C. Shane Reese embraces head coach Kalani Sitake after BYU won a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake speaks with BYU President C. Shane Reese after a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU performs and cheers between the third and fourth quarters during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU students cheer on their team during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Children reach out their hands to give BYU players a high-five after a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake hugs a Utah Tech player after a game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars tight end Walker Lyons (7) runs down the sideline during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU players take the field during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU players high-five fans on their Cougar walk before a game against the Utah Tech Trailblazers at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU students cheer on their team during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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The BYU Cougars marching band waits to start the Cougar walk ahead of a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU players high-five fans on their Cougar walk before a game against the Utah Tech Trailblazers at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars defensive lineman Tausili Akana (13) celebrates a retrieved fumble during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU fans plug their ears in anticipation of a cannon shot after a BYU touchdown during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Utah Tech Trailblazers running back Kona Crowell (22) is smothered at the line during a game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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Utah Tech Trailblazers quarterback CJ Tiller (2) throws the ball during a game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars tight end Roger Saleapaga II (2) looks up at the jumbotron during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars defensive back Evan Johnson (0) intercepts the ball during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU students cheer on BYU Cougars defensive back Evan Johnson (0) after he made an interception during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars wide receiver Legend Glasker (1) dances after scoring a touchdown during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) reads the defense during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU players huddle up before a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU students hold up a "Go Cougs" banner during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU players take the field during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars kicker Matthias Dunn (97) kicks a PAT during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars wide receiver Legend Glasker (1) celebrates with teammates during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars running back LJ Martin (4) runs down the sideline during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars wide receiver Jojo Phillips (13) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars running back LJ Martin (4) is swarmed during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars tight end Walker Lyons (7) is wrapped up by defenders during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars wide receiver Jojo Phillips (13) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars running back LJ Martin (4) runs the ball during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars wide receiver Legend Glasker (1) is lifted up in the air by his teammate Andrew Gentry (75) after scoring a touchdown during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars wide receiver Legend Glasker (1) runs with the ball during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars wide receiver Kyler Kasper (3) is tackled by defenders during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars running back Preston Rex (12) rolls over Utah Tech Trailblazers defensive back Ryan Tillman (20) into the end zone during a game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars linebacker Jake Clifton (31) pressures Utah Tech Trailblazers quarterback Bronson Barben (13) during a game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU players kneel down and bow their heads to pray before a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) is lifted into the air by his teammates during a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU players high five fans on their Cougar walk before a game against the Utah Tech Trailblazers at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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BYU players high five fans on their Cougar walk before a game against the Utah Tech Trailblazers at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
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The BYU Cougars marching band waits to start the Cougar walk ahead of a game against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News
3 takeaways
Legend Glasker was legendary. No player garnered more fall camp buzz at BYU than Glasker, and in his first college game, the freshman receiver out of Lehi High more than lived up to the hype.
Glasker’s first career touch resulted in a 9-yard rushing score. His first catch became a 26-yard touchdown, and he’d find the end zone again later on a 33-yard haul.
In all, Glasker racked up 81 total yards on five touches, tripling Utah Tech’s team touchdown total on his own.
With Glasker’s versatile skillset, he could easily become a new favorite target for Bear Bachmeier and the alpha within BYU’s receiver room. Perhaps Saturday against Utah Tech is just a sample of what else is to come.
Kelly Poppinga’s defense (mostly) showed well. When the Cougar starters were on the field, Utah Tech was clearly overwhelmed — Tre Alexander grabbed an interception on the first play of the game, after all.
In fact, after one quarter, BYU had more takeaways (two) than first downs allowed (one), and the Cougars surrendered just 52 yards in the first half.
After halftime, however, Utah Tech fared much better against the BYU backups, orchestrating a 15-play touchdown drive and another 14-play series that ended with a goal line interception.
Utah Tech went 5 of 7 on fourth down in the second half after going 0 for 6 before halftime. Additionally, the Trailblazers nearly doubled their yards per play average (2.2 to 4.1) from the first to second half.
But as previously mentioned, BYU’s starters were excellent when they were on the field. Alexander and Evan Johnson each snagged an interception, Siale Esera had a sack, Tausili Akana recovered a fumble and Cade Uluave had two tackles for loss.
The late slump for BYU’s defense shouldn’t sound any alarm bells. The Cougars were playing third and fourth-string players in a game that was well out of reach.
When things mattered most, Poppinga’s unit did its job and did it well. Next week against Arizona will give us all a better idea of how good the defense truly is.
BYU took care of business offensively. The Cougars are a top-15 team nationally. Utah Tech was a week removed from losing 54-0 to a fellow FCS squad. Anything less than a lopsided blowout would be quite disappointing for BYU.
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Comments
Luckily for Kalani Sitake’s crew, the Cougars did exactly what they were supposed to in notching a 56-point victory. They posted 521 yards of total offense, averaging 7.7 yards per play, committing no turnovers and only being forced to punt once.
Bachmeier picked up right where he left off, completing 16 of 20 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns while running for another score as well.
Led by LJ Martin and freshman Devaughn Eka, BYU ran for 308 yards at nearly seven yards a pop, with five different players — Bachmeier, Eka, Glasker, Preston Rex and Journee Tonga — finding the end zone.
Additionally, some of BYU’s special teams uncertainty cooled off a bit as Cannon DeVries emerged as a potential weapon in the return game, bringing a kickoff back 100 yards for a touchdown and averaging 37 yards per punt return as well.
