BYU’s high-octane offense just got slammed by a massive blow. Star running back LJ Martin, the guy who tore up the Big 12 last year, is officially sidelined for at least a month with a lower-body injury. ESPN dropped the report, and trust me, this is a gut punch for the Cougars, especially with a huge game just around the corner. We’re talking about the 2025 Big 12 Player of the Year, and he’s going to miss the October 17th showdown against Notre Dame, a top-10 matchup that’s critical for both teams’ College Football Playoff dreams.
Martin’s Absence Leaves a Massive Hole
We saw a hint of trouble last week against TCU. Martin only carried the ball twice for 16 yards before he had to exit the game with 4:40 left in the first quarter. He got pulled down awkwardly, jogged off with a slight limp, and that was it for him. This isn’t just about losing their main guy, either. BYU was already without their second top running back, Sione Moa, who’s been out since Week 1. So, yeah, that rushing attack was already reeling. In those wet conditions against TCU, the Cougars could only muster 154 yards on the ground and a measly 4.1 yards per carry. That’s just not BYU football, is it? Before the injury, Martin was doing his usual thing: 42 carries for 328 yards and three touchdowns through the first three games. He even chipped in with five receptions for 41 yards. The man’s a beast, with 2,885 career rushing yards, 439 receiving yards, and 29 total touchdowns. Replacing that kind of production? It’s gonna be a nightmare for the Cougs.
The Passing Game Needs a Spark, Fast
Now, BYU *does* like to run the ball effectively, and they’re usually good at it, ranking 16th nationally and fourth in the Big 12 with 235.5 rushing yards per game. Martin was a huge part of that, leading the team with 344 rushing yards. Even sophomore QB Bear Bachmeier has been getting in on the ground game, rushing for 130 yards and leading the team with four rushing scores, especially effective near the goal line. But here’s the real kicker: the passing game. It just hasn’t clicked. Bachmeier’s completed 64.9 percent of his passes for only 704 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception. Their 179.8 passing yards per game ranks a dismal 114th nationally. A big reason? Their top three receivers from last season are gone. Freshman Legend Glasker has been great, no doubt, but that overall production just isn’t there yet.
This next month, especially that Notre Dame game, is going to be a huge test. BYU needs someone on the ground to step up big time, or they absolutely have to get that passing game firing on all cylinders. Because if they’re one-dimensional against Notre Dame’s defense? Oh man, those Fighting Irish are gonna have an absolute field day.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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