LJ Martin’s Career Day Helps Bear Bachmeier, BYU Jump To Fast Start In 2025
Aug 31, 2025, 12:41 AM | Updated: 12:53 am
PROVO, Utah – Running the football effectively made things easier for the BYU offense as the Cougars started a true freshman at quarterback to open the season for the first time in program history.
Setting up Bear Bachmeier & the BYU Offense
On Saturday, August 30, BYU kicked off its 2025 campaign by routing FCS Portland State, 69-0. The Cougars dominated the contest from the opening kickoff. Despite Bear Bachmeier taking his first snaps as a collegiate player, the BYU offense put him in advantageous positions thanks to a career performance by Martin.
“[He’s] really started to come into his own,” BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said of Martin after the game. Sitake added that Martin was voted as a team captain this season.
LJ Martin turned on the jets for this 49-yard run💨 #Big12FB | 📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/LmN4LQScV0
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) August 31, 2025
Career Performance for LJ Martin
The junior tailback from El Paso, Texas, ran for a personal-best 131 yards on only eight carries. Martin only played in the first half. The Cougars owned a 49-0 lead at the break, and the second-team offense took the field to begin the final 30 minutes of game time.
As a result of Martin’s runs, Bachmeier and BYU’s offense found itself with multiple short fields. The freshman quarterback took advantage of those situations on his way to a five-touchdown performance in front of a sellout crowd.
Martin’s day was highlighted by multiple big runs, which pushed his average to over 16 yards per carry. The running back burst for gains of 49 and 44 yards, respectively. His 49-yard rush moved the ball deep into scoring territory at the Portland State 7-yard line. His 44-yard tote put the Cougars on the edge of the red zone at the Vikings’ 22-yard line.
LJ Martin is a grown man
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) August 31, 2025
“I was really excited that he was able to break tackles,” Sitake shared postgame.
Before Saturday’s blowout, the junior’s best game as a BYU player came against Oklahoma State last season. During the Cougars’ 38-35 victory over the Cowboys, Martin ran the ball 20 times for 120 yards.
LJ Martin Taking BYU to Another Level
Entering this season, Martin took his preparation to another level. The running back reported to fall camp leaner, healthy, and ready to handle the workload as BYU’s lead ball carrier.
If the Cougars can replicate Martin’s performance against Portland State consistently, watch out.
Kalani Sitake was really impressed with LJ Martin’s ability to break tackles against Portland State.
Martin ran for a career-high 131 yards on only eight carries. pic.twitter.com/t8RO1QPePA
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) August 31, 2025
Although Martin has been BYU’s top rusher each of the past two seasons, the Cougars haven’t had a 1,000-yard runner since 2021. With 131 yards already under his belt, look for Martin to put together his best year so far and become BYU’s first player to reach the milestone since Tyler Allgeier.
Martin’s next opportunity to add to his tally comes on September 6, when the Cougars host the Stanford Cardinal at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
Kyle Ireland is a Co-Host on Cougar Sports Saturday on KSL NewsRadio (Saturday, Noon-3 p.m.) covering BYU athletics.
