There was little doubt prior to kickoff that BYU's season opener against Utah Tech wasn't going to go exactly as it went. The No. 14-ranked Cougars, a seven-touchdown favorite, overwhelmed the Trailblazers in all phases of the game to win by eight touchdowns, 63-7.
Along the way, there were three key plays that set BYU on a course to quickly turn opening night into a glorified pre-game workout for next week's Big 12 opener against Arizona . Here they are:
Cannon DeVries had dreamed about just such a moment growing up in North Ogden and playing football at Weber High — he wanted to get to LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo and return a kickoff for a touchdown.
Saturday night against Utah Tech — his moment came.
Determined for a return, DeVries fielded the second-half kickoff a couple of steps inside his own end zone. Once he reached the 7-yard line, he veered away from the right side to the left. On the way, he shook off a would-be tackler around the 15.
"After the first guy missed, I made a couple of more guys miss and saw the comeback open, so I made a move," said DeVries. By the time he reached the Y logo at midfield, "it was green grass from there. I knew I was gone."
Gone. Yes. But not without a last push.
"You don't feel your legs the last 20 yards," he said. "It's like a 400-meter dash. You are just running with whatever is left in the tank."
The 6-foot-0, 184-pound sophomore, who also started at cornerback, had more than enough fuel to get him there to give BYU a 49-0 lead.
"It's definitely a dream come true."
True freshman Legend Glasker made quite a first impression at BYU, scoring three touchdowns in his debut, including two on his first two touches — a 9-yard run and a 26-yard reception in the first quarter. However, it was his third touchdown, a 33-yard grab in the second quarter, that put him in a rare place.
"The people around me, the coaches and players, they bought into me a lot, and they trust me," said the former Lehi High star. "So, I feel like when they entrusted me, I can just really go out there and do this with their trust. I feel like I can do anything."
Glasker became the first BYU freshman to score three or more touchdowns in a game since 2012 when Jamaal Williams (who watched from the sideline) scored four times against Georgia Tech . Glasker is also the first BYU player with three touchdowns in a half since Keanu Hill pulled it off — also against Utah Tech in 2022.
A legendary start for a young player with big plans and with a wise quarterback who isn't much older than he is.
" Bear Bachmeier is just so smart," Glasker said. "I feel like his smarts help me do better on the field — just looking at the defense and seeing what he wants me to do."
Glasker isn't the only one using three fingers to count up his big plays. Senior cornerback Evan Johnson intercepted Utah Tech's CJ Tiller early in the second quarter for his third interception in his last four games.
Johnson turned momentum in BYU's favor against UCF last November with an interception in the second quarter. He saved the game at the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Georgia Tech with an interception in the end zone with 14 seconds remaining.
On Saturday, Johnson's diving grab was part of a four-takeaway night for the defense — the most for BYU in a season opener since 2003 — back when the dynamic defender was only 2 years old.
Dave McCann is a sportswriter and columnist for the Deseret News and is a play-by-play announcer and show host for BYUtv/ESPN+. He co-hosts "Y's Guys" at ysguys.com and is the author of the children's book "C is for Cougar," available at deseretbook.com.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
