When BYU's Bear Bachmeier takes the field against Portland State in Provo, Utah, on Saturday, he will be the first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener for the Cougars.

Bachmeier transferred from Stanford after spring practices and earned a shot to claim the starting job after returning starter Jake Retzlaff left the program and transferred to Tulane.

He earned the assignment for the opener when he beat out McCae Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet in fall camp. His older brother, Tiger, is a wide receiver on the team who transferred with him.

Their other brother, Hank, was a starting quarterback for Boise State, Louisiana Tech and Wake Forest over six seasons.

"He's done a great job being the leader and connecting with his teammates," BYU coach Kalani Sitake said of Bear Bach

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