Provo, UT – The first two weeks of the 2025 football season haven't been kind to the Portland State Vikings as they have matched up with top teams at the FCS and FBS level. Twenty-third-ranked BYU took care of business in their home-opener, beating the Vikings, 69-0, and dropping PSU to 0-2.
 
The talk going into BYU's home-opener against Portland State was the Cougars' new freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier. But it was the running game that did the most damage to the Vikings as BYU came away with the easy win.
 
The Cougars rushed for 468 yards out of a team total offense of 606 yards. They dominated time of possession and ran 22 more plays than the Vikings.
 
PSU started well, moving the ball on its first two series. The Vikings attempted a 56-yard field goal late in the first quarter, but it was blocked. BYU's Jack Kelly recovered the ball and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown. Despite having out-gained the Cougars at that point, the Vikings trailed 7-0 with 3:58 left in the first quarter. And from that point, BYU took off.
 
With its running game going, the Cougars first scoring drive culminated on the final play of the first quarter to lead 14-0.
 
The Cougars exploded in the second quarter, scoring 35 points and rushing for 199 yards. In all, BYU had 364 yards at halftime with 267 coming via the run.
 
Meanwhile, BYU's defense kicked in after the blocked field goal as well. PSU had three consecutive three-and-outs on offense. Then a missed handoff compounded the Vikings problems. BYU recovered the fumble at the PSU 5. In two quick plays, the Cougars scored again.
 
The Vikings, who were held to -7 yards in the second quarter, had just 44 yards at halftime.
 
Both teams played their full rosters in the second half as the Cougars were able to tack on 20 more points for the 69-0 final.
 
LJ Martin led the BYU running game with eight carries for 131 yards. Bachmeier completed 7-11 passes for 97 yards and three scores.
 
PSU ran only 44 plays in the game. BYU made nine tackles for loss and held the Vikings to just 51 total yards.
 
Running back Jacques Badolato-Birdsell rushed for 28 yards to lead the Vikings. Quarterback CJ Jordan got the start at quarterback, completing 8-14 passes for 58 yards.
 
Safety Isaiah Green made a career-high 15 tackles to lead the defense. Linebacker Jerome Roberts made 10 tackles with linebacker Jaxton Helmstetler getting nine stops.
 

GAME NOTES

• The announced attendance of 64,494 was the largest crowd for a Portland State game in history. The previous largest was 61,082 for a game at Cal in 2006.
• The Vikings started CJ Jordan at quarterback in his first appearance as a Viking. Tyrese Smith also saw action in a backup role.
• PSU was hindered by the absence of starting running back Delon Thompson and starting wide receiver Terence Loville due to injuries.
• Portland State is now 4-49 all-time when playing FBS schools.
• PSU is in the midst of a three-game road stretch. The Vikings play at North Dakota next Saturday, then Hawai'i on Sept. 13.