LJ Martin, Parker Kingston Combine For All 5 BYU TDs in UCF Win
Nov 29, 2025, 2:31 PM
PROVO, UTAH - NOVEMBER 29: LJ Martin #4 of the BYU Cougars celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the UCF Knights at LaVell Edwards Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
PROVO, Utah – It was the LJ Martin show in the first half, before Parker Kingston took control in the second half of No. 11 BYU football’s 41-21 win over UCF.
The Cougars (11-1, 8-1 Big 12) end the 2025 regular season by hosting the UCF Knights (5-7, 2-7 Big 12) at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday, November 29.
BYU 41, UCF 21
BYU closes out the regular season at 11-1.
First 11-win regular season since 2001 pic.twitter.com/q1soFi4Bu0
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 29, 2025
BYU heads into next Saturday’s Big 12 title game rematch with Texas Tech on a high note after taking down the Knights in come-from-behind fashion.
LJ Martin gives BYU red zone boost
The Cougars were driving to begin the second quarter, opening the period with 1st and 10 and the Knights’ 19-yard line.
Big 12 leading rusher LJ Martin took control from there.
The junior carried three times, crossing the goal line on a one-yard rush.
walked it in
📺 ESPN2 | @aLJayMartin pic.twitter.com/1Vmx0br5yC
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 29, 2025
It was Martin’s ninth rushing score of the year and cut the Cougar deficit to 14-7 with more than 12 minutes left in the half.
Martin turns a direct snap into touchdown No. 10 in 2025
Martin’s second touchdown of the afternoon put BYU’s slow start firmly in the rearview mirror.
The bruising tailback ended a 75-yard drive with his second one-yard score of the day after taking the direct snap.
a look at it from the field https://t.co/UvELxDrpB8 pic.twitter.com/UIt2gJa7Wy
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 29, 2025
Martin carried 14 times for 55 yards in the first half to lead all ball-carriers.
Touchdown trifecta from LJ Martin gives Cougars two-score lead
BYU’s offense picked up right where it left off in the first half, using a dominating rushing attack to punish UCF at the line of scrimmage.
Bear Bachmeier completed passes to Martin, Carsen Ryan, and Parker Kingston, and the rest of the ten-play, 75-yard drive came on the ground.
PILE DRIVING 😤
📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/bfUnBHdZPE
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 29, 2025
LJ Martin caught a pass before battering the middle of the UCF defensive line on a four-yard scoring run.
It is the first three-touchdown day of his college career.
Parker Kingston’s punt return gives BYU all the momentum
The Cougar defense forced a three-and-out deep in UCF territory after a third-down sack by Jack Kelly.
A UCF punt didn’t have the necessary hang time, leaving loads of room for dangerous BYU return man Parker Kingston.
that was some P-K-🔥
📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/i4YEwwkoV2
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 29, 2025
Kingston reeled in the football at his own 45-yard line, split the first would-be tacklers, and used a burst of speed to beat the punter for a 55-yard punt return TD.
It was the first punt return TD of his season and third of his BYU career.
Kingston’s second sends BYU to the final quarter with a 17-point lead
The Cougars needed only six plays to answer UCF’s first touchdown since the opening quarter.
Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick had BYU come out passing after relying on the rushing attack for several straight drives.
Bear Bachmeier to Parker Kingston for a 46-yard touchdown.
Kingston breaks the 100-yard receiving mark for the game.
Five receptions, 105 yards, 1 TD so far
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 29, 2025
Bear Bachmeier completed four of the five passes on the drive, finding Kingston for a 46-yard catch and run touchdown with 47 seconds left on the third quarter clock.
Kingston now has nine touchdowns this season, including five TD catches. He ended the day as the first Big 12 player since 2016 to have 100+ receiving yards, a punt return TD, and a receiving TD in the same game.
BYU Cougars 2025 Schedule (11-1, 8-1)
- Portland State Vikings @ BYU Cougars | W 69-0
- Stanford Cardinal @ BYU Cougars | W 27-3
- BYE
- BYU Cougars @ East Carolina Pirates | W 34-13
- BYU Cougars @ Colorado Buffaloes | W 24-21
- West Virginia Mountaineers @ BYU Cougars | W 38-24
- BYU Cougars @ Arizona Wildcats | W 33-27
- Utah Utes @ BYU Cougars | W 24-21
- BYU Cougars @ Iowa State Cyclones | W 41-27
- BYE
- BYU Cougars @ Texas Tech Red Raiders | L 29-7
- TCU Horned Frogs @ BYU Cougars | W 44-13
- BYU Cougars @ Cincinnati Bearcats W 26-14
- UCF Knights @ BYU Cougars | W 41-21
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
