LJ Martin Carries No. 11 BYU Past Cincinnati
Nov 22, 2025, 9:47 PM | Updated: 9:50 pm
CINCINNATI, Ohio – No. 11 BYU football had its work cut out for it against Cincinnati, but had enough to top the Bearcats 26-14 to keep its Big 12 title game hopes alive.
BYU (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) faced the Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on Saturday, November 22.
RELATED: Dave Portnoy Showed His Support For BYU At Cincy’s Big Noon Kickoff
How 'bout those COUGS❕❔#Big12FB | @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/b9Oegmdj9h
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) November 23, 2025
The Cougars took the field tonight with a chance to clinch a berth in the Big 12 championship game with a win and help.
BYU did it’s part, but Arizona State took down Colorado on the road, forcing the Cougars to win next week against UCF to clinch a spot in the title game.
BYU football players who will be ‘OUT’ against Cincinnati
BYU will be without starting offensive guard Weylin Lapuaho after the former Bingham Miners standout was injured in last week’s 44-13 win over TCU. Sonny Makasini started in his stead.
Backup linebacker Max Alford will also miss tonight’s game with an injury suffered last week.
- RB Sione Moa
- S Tommy Prassas
- OL Weylin Lapuaho
- LB Max Alford
- DT Ulavai Fetuli
Cincinnati football players who will be ‘OUT’ against BYU
The Bearcats do not have any players listed on their final injury report.
Big Noon Kickoff
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"He's mocking me." 🤣@GoBearcatsFB you didn't have to do @stoolpresidente like that 💀 pic.twitter.com/53VLVRE3Zb
— Big Noon Kickoff (@BNKonFOX) November 22, 2025
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RELATED: College Gameday Crew Gives Predictions For BYU/Cincinnati Game
Our guys riding with the Cougs🤝
(via @BNKonFOX) pic.twitter.com/T07qyZJXfL
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 22, 2025
Pregame
Cougar Sports Saturday: No. 11 BYU vs. Cincinnati from here in The Queen City.
⏰: Noon-4 p.m. (MST)
📻: @kslnewsradio
🗣️: Me & @kyleireland
📲: @kslsports appTune in! pic.twitter.com/nM7JH5rsJY
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 22, 2025
BYU vs. Cincinnati: Nippert at night pic.twitter.com/zZVtpG9obd
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 22, 2025
RELATED: Final BYU Player Availability Report Before Kickoff Against Cincinnati
First Quarter
LJ Martin caught a 26-yard pass on 3rd and 10 to keep BYU’s first drive alive, but the Cougars punted a few plays later.
It was Martin’s longest reception of the season.
BYU's first drive of the game stalls in Cincinnati territory.
Cincinnati is going to start its own drive on its own nine-yard line.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
If BYU had gained positive yards on that third-down screen to Kingston, they probably would have gone for it on 4th down. Smart to punt it away and pin Cincy deep.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Good showing from BYU fans here at Nippert. pic.twitter.com/OzYRxcscbv
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Strong start for the BYU defense.
Cincinnati only ran off 1:16 of game time on their three-and-out.
BYU takes over at midfield.
Opportunity for BYU to seize the momentum.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Bodie Schoonover stock is trending up.
Since his breakout game at Iowa State, the junior defensive end has been playing well.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
LJ Martin. A grown man run with a stiff arm. Then he gives a friendly helmet tap at the end.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Chase Roberts made an 11-yard grab on the Cougars’ next drive, giving the senior WR a catch in 37 consecutive games.
Six plays later, Bear Bachmeier rumbled six yards into the end zone for BYU’s first touchdown of the night. It was his 11th rushing TD of the season, passing Zach Wilson, Taysom Hill, and Steve Young for the program’s QB record.
BYU QB record for rushing touchdowns in a season.
Bear Bachmeier – 11 rushing touchdowns this season pic.twitter.com/G8q0gS2oaZ
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
BEAR BREAKS FREE 🐻@BYUFootball strikes first in Cincy pic.twitter.com/80dH4wWzCA
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 23, 2025
Love the way that LJ Martin is playing early in this game for BYU.
The physicality, moving the pile to pick up yardage.
BYU 7, Cincinnati 0 – 4:39 | 1st
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
That third down run looked like Sorsby was short.
Refs said to move the chains. It's under review.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Officials reviewed that Brendan Sorsby's run was short of the first down marker.
4th & 1 from the BYU three-yard line.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Second Quarter
BYU forces a turnover on downs. Keanu Tanuvasa comes up with the hit.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
It's a Nu way. pic.twitter.com/ICJ1tQLbNk
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
BYU's offense goes three-and-out.
Vander Haar kicked a 39-yard punt, giving Cincy the ball in BYU territory.
Turnover time for BYU's defense?
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Cincinnati kicker Stephen Rusnak missed the 42-yard field goal attempt.
Entering the game, Rusnak was 92% on field goals this season.
BYU's defense comes up with another stop.
Big opportunity for Bear Bachmeier and the offense.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Stephen Rusnak’s 42-yard missed kick was his second miss of the season. He is now 12-of-14 and a perfect 25-of-25 on PATs.
The Cougars punted, and poor special teams coverage allowed a massive return for Cincinnati.
Special teams lapse again for BYU.
Cincinnati's Manny Covey made a risky decision to return a punt on a roll that ended up hopping to him, and he took off for a 57-yard return.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Just like that, a tie game.
Brendan Sorsby completes a 27-yard touchdown to Cyrus Allen.
BYU 7, Cincy 7 | 6:34, 2nd Quarter
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Chase Roberts is on the sideline, just moments ago, exited the medical tent. No helmet near him. He's sitting on the bench, currently.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
That's the correct call by the officials. Bear connects with Jojo Phillips for a first down completion. BYU's drive continues.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
A false start on third down forced BYU to opt for a 31-yard Will Ferrin field goal and a 10-7 lead.
It was the 19th field goal of the year for the former Davis High School kicker. The kick also tied Ferrin with Matt Payne for the most FGs (54) in program history.
Smart move to take the points. BYU ends up kicking a 31-yard field goal with Will Ferrin.
BYU 10, Cincinnati 7 – 2:00 | 2nd
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Excellent move by BYU to bring in subs after Cincy did. Forced the Bearcats to burn their final timeout.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
on top at halftime 🤙 pic.twitter.com/BRGi48snRz
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 23, 2025
BYU 10, Cincinnati 7 – Halftime Stats pic.twitter.com/MfM3fXpalv
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Third Quarter
Chase Roberts is in a hoodie and sweatpants on the sideline. He's OUT for the remainder of the game.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Tanner Wall interception. He's up to four interceptions this season. pic.twitter.com/o1y5DTK7Ur
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
That pass ran into a wall 😏@BYUFootball forces the interception pic.twitter.com/Aq5RjuZsFC
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 23, 2025
1,000 rushing yards this season for BYU RB LJ Martin. pic.twitter.com/LixOWAM29D
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Bear Bachmeier nearly completed a TD pass in the "BEEF" formation to Trevin Ostler. Close.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
BYU's offense capitalized on the momentum from Tanner Wall's interception.
11-play touchdown drive to build a 10-point lead.
Strong start to the second half.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
LJ Martin gave the Cougars a 17-7 lead, scoring his seventh touchdown of the year and 18th of his BYU career.
Martin also surpassed the 100-yard plateau on the drive, marking the sixth time he has reached that mark in 2025.
LJ Martin punches it in for BYU 👊@BYUFootball gives the Cougars a 10-point lead pic.twitter.com/Hy5PFHxJj2
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 23, 2025
For the third time tonight, Cincy kicker Stephen Rusnak missed a field goal attempt.
BYU has a chance to put the hammer down on this drive.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
OFFSIDES on Cincinnati.
Wow.
BYU's drive looked to be done with a three-and-out. Offsides penalty on fourth down by Cincy's Marqavious Saboor brings BYU's offense back out on the field.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
End of the third quarter: BYU 17, Cincinnati 7.
Keep feeding LJ Martin the rock.
Martin has 132 rushing yards on 22 carries and a touchdown through three quarters.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Fourth Quarter
BYU's time of possession through three quarters: 30:32.
Cincinnati: 14:28.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Excellent tackle by Tayvion Beasley.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
That looks like a fumble by the Cincinnati receiver during the tackle by Beasley.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Overturned. Fumble!
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
After review, a fumble with a recovery by BYU is confirmed 🎥
Do you agree with the call? pic.twitter.com/gfDgjweqxK
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 23, 2025
BYU leads Cincinnati 20-14 with 4:37 remaining.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Bear Bachmeier steps to his right, then moves upfield with a little push from LJ Martin for a first down.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
LJ Martin called game pic.twitter.com/vaebU0hoEw
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
LJ Martin is up to 222 rushing yards tonight. Two touchdowns.
Best running back in the Big 12.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Sack by Therrian Alexander to close it out!
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
Have a night, LJ Martin pic.twitter.com/gdZxVl4Pox
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 23, 2025
BYU improves to 10-1 and gets the job done at Cincinnati 🙌 pic.twitter.com/0qd6olbOof
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 23, 2025
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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.
