BYU turned to true freshman Bear Bachmeier as its starting quarterback in the wake of former star Jake Retzlaff's departure, CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz has confirmed. Bachmeier, who initially signed with Stanford before transferring to BYU in May, beat redshirt sophomore McCae Hillstead and redshirt junior Treyson Bourguet in a fall camp competition.

Retzlaff won a tight competition with Gerry Bohanon to become BYU's starter last season and got better as the season progressed. Retzlaff threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns with 12 interceptions, adding 417 yards and six more TDs rushing.

Almost three months to the day when BYU coaches, fans and players alike were rattled by the bombshell news that projected and veteran starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff in all likelihood would not be under center for the Cougars in the Aug. 30 opener against Portland State, another somewhat startling development was announced in Provo.