BYU QB Bear Bachmeier turned Notre Dame's disrespect into biggest upset win

BYU QB Bear Bachmeier turned Notre Dame's disrespect into biggest upset win

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BYU QB Bear Bachmeier turned Notre Dame's disrespect into biggest upset win
Bear Bachmeier BYU 101025

BYU QB Bear Bachmeier turned Notre Dame's disrespect into biggest upset win originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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BYU Cougars sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier had plenty of motivation heading into Saturday night's historic 28-24 upset over No. 2 Notre Dame.

After leading the Cougars to a statement win, Bachmeier revealed that the matchup meant more to him than just another game. He told reporters that Notre Dame had "disrespected me and my family pretty badly" during his high school recruitment. Bachmeier declined to provide details, but he made it clear that he had not forgotten the experience.

"There are some receipts kept," Bachmeier said. "I wasn't going to lose to those guys tonight."

Bachmeier later admitted that he probably should not have made the comment, but the message was clear that he had something to prove. Despite being Catholic and having a grandfather who was a Notre Dame fan, the quarterback entered the game with extra motivation to defeat the Fighting Irish.

"I definitely had an extra chip on the shoulder,' Bachmeier said, before shifting the attention back to his teammates. "I hate talking about myself, man, what a great team win."

His performance backed up his words. Against one of the nation's top defenses, Bachmeier completed 23 of 36 passes for 224 yards. When BYU struggled to establish its running game in the first half, he kept the offense moving through the air. He also rushed 13 times for 45 yards and two touchdowns, including key contributions with his legs when the Cougars needed points.

Bachmeier even recorded his first receiving touchdown on a trick play, showcasing his versatility in a game that demanded contributions from every angle. His biggest moment came on the final drive, when he took BYU down the field for the eventual game-winning score.

The victory improved Bachmeier's record as BYU's starting quarterback to 18-2. Even more impressive is that he's now 9-0 in games featuring a one-score margin in the fourth quarter.

Bachmeier isn't thought about in the elite category for quarterbacks. But his ability to deliver in pressure situations is undeniable. After Saturday's performance, the Cougars' leader potentially entered his spot in the Heisman Trophy conversation. 

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