Can Bachmeier be average or slightly above? If he can, as long as he steps up in occasional moments of need, his naming will have been not just on point, but downright prophetic. BYU, then, will have its quarterback. The distinct sentences will converge in one name … yeah, Bear Bachmeier.

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.

Bear Bachmeier will be the first true freshman to start a season at quarterback in BYU history. Bachmeier emerged from a three-way competition to replace Jake Retzlaff and announced he will be the starter Aug.