The BYU offense just absorbed a big blow weeks before its highly anticipated showdown with Notre Dame. Star running back and 2025 Big 12 Player of the Year LJ Martin will be out for at least one month due to a lower-body injury, ESPN reports. Martin carried the ball just twice for 16 yards in last week's win over TCU before exiting the game.
With 4:40 remaining in the first quarter, Martin was pulled down awkwardly, jogged off the field with a slight limp and did not return. With Martin out of the game, the Cougars were without their top two running backs since Sione Moa has been sidelined with an injury he suffered in Week 1. As a result, the BYU rushing attack wasn't nearly as effective as it usually is.
The Cougars rushed for just 154 yards and 4.1 yards per carry in wet conditions. Prior to the injury, Martin was a key cog in the BYU offense, as usual. Through the first three games, Martin rushed the ball 42 times for 328 yards and three touchdowns.
He was also involved in the passing game with five receptions for 41 yards. In his career, Martin has piled up 2,885 rushing yards, 439 receiving yards and 29 total touchdowns. He'll be a hard weapon to replace.
The timeline for Martin's return means he'll miss the Oct. 17 showdown against Notre Dame, which will be critical for the College Football Playoff hopes of both teams. With Martin on the shelf for that one, BYU either needs someone else to step up on the ground, or it needs to find more production from its passing game. A lack of depth at running back isn't ideal for BYU, a team that thrives when it runs the ball effectively.
The Cougars rank 16th nationally and fourth in the Big 12 with 235.5 rushing yards per game. Martin has been a big part of that -- his 344 rushing yards lead the team -- but so has quarterback Bear Bachmeier. The sophomore signal caller has rushed for 130 yards, and he's been particularly effective down near the goal line.
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