Before relaying the next play to his teammates, BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier looked up at the north-end video board at LaVell Edwards Stadium to see why Cougar fans were yelling so loud.
On the screen, Bachmeier saw 9-year-old August “Augie” Watabe holding up a sign that read, “I’m cheering for my twin! Go Bear!”
The young BYU fan, who some are calling “Baby Bear” because of his shockingly close resemblance to the star freshman QB, got the attention of Bachmeier, who threw up a “Y” with his hand, right before leading the Cougars on a two-minute drill to end the first half.
It was one of the most memorable days of Watabe’s life, and according to his father, he’s been on cloud nine ever since.
What led to Augie’s viral moment?
Watabe, who lives in Hawaii and was visiting family in Utah for Thanksgiving, comes from a strong BYU household. Both his mother and father attended the university and are fans of the Cougar football team, and his grandparents live just four minutes away from LaVell Edwards Stadium.
This year, Watabe’s fandom grew to a new level, watching every game and passionately following the 11-1 Cougars.
His favorite player? Freshman QB Bear Bachmeier.
“He’s my favorite quarterback ever,” Watabe said. “I mean, I like Mahomes, I like Brady, but I really like (Bachmeier).”
The moment that Bachmeier took his helmet off in the first game of the season against Portland State, the Watabes instantly clocked the resemblance between their son and No. 47.
When he found out that his family was going to Utah for Thanksgiving, Watabe desperately wanted to go to his first BYU football game to see his doppelganger live in action.
At the pregame “Cougar Walk,” where BYU players and staff greet fans on their way to the stadium, Watabe lined up as close as he could to get a chance to see his favorite player.
August “Augie” Watabe holds up a sign during a BYU game this fall. | Courtesy Watabe family
When he saw Bachmeier walking his way through a crowd of blue, Watabe yelled in Bachmeier’s direction, asking for him to sign his hat. Bachmeier walked over and took note of Watabe’s appearance.
“Hey, this is my twin over here,” Bachmeier said to Watabe, before signing his hat and then proceeding to the stadium.
After that remark, Watabe and his family quickly made a poster that said, “I’m cheering for my twin!”
Once seated in the stadium, a fan five rows above the Watabes noticed the heartwarming sign and decided to give Augie a special gift. She took the blue hoodie that she was wearing, which featured a cartoon Bear in the style of the iconic “sailor coug” logo, and gave it to Watabe.
He was wearing this new hoodie when Bachmeier saw him on the jumbotron.
“He did look like me, so that was a pretty reasonable poster,” Bachmeier said after the game. “I did see it, yeah. It was cool. It means a lot, just in the back of your head, ‘You’re playing for something bigger.’”
Asian representation in college football
Bachmeier has had one of the most efficient seasons of any quarterback in the country in 2025. The freshman has 25 total touchdowns and has only thrown four interceptions while leading BYU to the Big 12 championship game.
But one of Bachmeier’s most notable accomplishments happened when he was named BYU’s starting quarterback just weeks before the season started.
He was the first Asian American starting QB in BYU history. He’s one of only a handful of Asian American QBs in the FBS.
Watabe’s father Jayson, who is of Japanese descent, noted how special it is to see somebody who looks like his family thrive on a national stage for BYU.
“Asians are very much underrepresented in college sports and especially in football,” Jayson said. “To see someone who looks like my kids who’s playing amazingly, it’s special.”
“I feel inspired and proud,” Augie said.
Yes, Bachmeier’s incredible heroics throughout the season are a reason why he’s Augie’s favorite player, but seeing representation where representation is not often seen has been “magical” for the Watabes.
After the memorable weekend, Augie says he has a new name for himself: “Cub.”
August “Augie” Watabe holds up a sign during a game at LaVell Edwards Stadium. | Christina Hsiung, Daily Universe