West Virginia quarterback Khalil Wilkins (14) runs the football through the defense for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU, Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

West Virginia took a long trip to Provo, Utah, and headed back to Morgantown with another loss.

The Mountaineers were dominated for the third straight game, 38-24 at the hands of No. 23 BYU, making Rich Rodriguez’s squad 0-3 in the Big 12 and 2-4 on the season.

It was the story of BYU having a competent quarterback, and WVU didn’t.

The Cougars started true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, and he had a career-best game through the air, hurting the WVU defense on big plays.

“We made him look like the Heisman winner in the first half,” Rodriguez said. “Hand him the Heisman.”

On BYU’s second drive of the game, BYU’s true freshman quarterback, Bear Bachmeier, connected with Parker Kingston on a screen pass. Kingston blew by the WVU defense and took off for a 54-yard touchdown, making it 14-0.

Later in the first half, WVU’s defense allowed BYU’s leading receiver Chase Roberts to take a quick slant for 85 yards, setting up another Cougars score. BYU was up 21-3 with under six minutes to play.

Just before the half, Bachmeier led the Cougars down the field to another touchdown with under a minute to play. The drive was highlighted by a 35-yard dime from Bachmeier and ended with him keeping it for a score, 28-10.

“They did whatever they want,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t know how many first downs they had, but it was just, did they punt at all? Once? Don’t make the other team punt, you’re probably going to lose.”

The true freshman had a day. He threw for 351 yards and a touchdown. He connected with Roberts four times for 161 yards. There wasn’t much on the ground from the run-heavy Cougars, but running back L.J. Martin did punch in two touchdowns.

“He’s a good player,” Rodriguez said. “Tough, runs. Everything we thought. His accuracy on his deep balls was great… I thought he was outstanding.”

WVU started redshirt freshman Khalil Wilkins, and he looked more his age.

After four-game starter Nicco Marchiol was ruled out, and the Utah game starter Jaylen Henderson was also ruled out, Rodriguez went with Wilkins to start against BYU.

His first start looked every bit of a first start. After completing a pass to Rodney Gallagher for 13 yards, Wilkins looked to pass again and threw it right to BYU’s Therrian Alexander, who returned it within WVU’s 10-yard line.

The next play, BYU’s Kingston ran it in for the first score of the game.

The defense did get some stops, showing improvement after getting torched by Utah a week ago. On BYU’s first drive, the Mountaineers held the Cougars to a field goal, which was missed. A couple drives after some short field position, and the big screen play, BYU was driving again, but the defense held. Linebacker Chase Wilson picked off BYU deep into WVU’s territory. It was the first interception of Bachmeier’s career.

WVU’s offense couldn’t capitalize, again.

The defense helped out the offense again two minutes before the first half ended. Defensive back Fred Perry blitzed and swatted down the BYU pitch, forcing a fumble and recovered it at the 3-yard line. Running back Diore Hubbard punched it in the next play, 21-10.

Then, again, later in the third quarter, BYU fumbled the ball inside its own territory. Wilkins rushed in for a touchdown shortly after, 31-17.

When BYU wasn’t handing over points, WVU’s offense under Wilkins couldn’t get much going, Wilkins wasn’t efficient through the air, and most of the offense came from when Wilkins took off. He ran for 89 yards on 23 attempts.

“We had to have the quarterback run game to run anything,” Rodriguez said.

Wilkins had some darts and even unloaded on a long pass to Cam Vaughn. But Vaughn bobbled it and had his pass intercepted within the 10-yard line. It was just that type of game and season for the Mountaineers.

The passing game was nonexistent again. Wilkins threw for 81 yards on 7-for-15 passing with two picks.

The defense had some opportunities to make stops, but Bachmeier kept dealing, keeping WVU out of reach for a comeback.

WVU has a bye next week.

“We need an open day,” Rodriguez said. “We’re tired. We’re beat up. Mad. Frustrated. All the above.”