LJ Martin Paces BYU Backfield With Consecutive 100-Yard Games
Sep 8, 2025, 1:36 PM | Updated: 1:47 pm
BYU captain and running back LJ Martin picks up a big gain during BYU game against the Stanford Cardinal on September 6, 2025 in LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Photo courtesy BYU Photo/Jon McBride)
(Photo courtesy BYU Photo/Jon McBride)
PROVO, Utah – LJ Martin was a luxury for BYU football against Portland State. He became the bell cow in week two against Stanford.
The junior running back began the year with back-to-back 100+ yard rushing games, allowing true freshman QB Bear Bachmeier a soft landing in his first taste of college football.
RELATED: Jack Kelly Sets Tone For BYU Football’s 2025 Defense
LJ Martin is a beast for BYU! Monster run against Stanford. pic.twitter.com/Vpr7eGMRPG
— Diggin’ Brigham (@DigginBrigham) September 7, 2025
After averaging 16.4 yards per carry vs. Portland State and only playing two quarters, Martin was a physical force for his team in week two.
He accounted for five of BYU’s 18 first downs against a better-than-advertised Cardinal defense. Martin was dragged down at the goal line early in the first quarter, preventing his first touchdown of the year.
Martin finished the night with 110 yards on 18 carries, averaging better than six yards per attempt.
About LJ Martin
LJ Martin doesn’t have any regrets about opting for a BYU education, despite receiving offers from some of the nation’s top academic institutions.
“(I) came down here for a visit, (and) really liked it,” Martin finished, “I had to convince my mom a little bit why I shouldn’t get a Stanford education. But you know, it’s worked out pretty good so far.”
The former Stanford commit is making the most of his chance with the Cougars as he steadily climbs BYU’s all-time rushing list.
RELATED: Martin Convinced Mom Before Flipping From Stanford To BYU
BYU RB LJ Martin is a player to watch. Smooth athlete at 6’2″/220 pic.twitter.com/eFjAs7XQss
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) September 5, 2025
A career-high 131 yards in the season-opener set the stage for Martin to reach 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his college career.
He needs 27 yards to reach No. 19 and pass Casey Tiumalu.
Martin’s 11 rushing touchdowns leave him three shy of cracking the program’s all-time top 25.
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake feels fortunate to have Martin in his locker room.
“Seemed like just yesterday that he was a true freshman,” Sitake reminisced. “Now he’s a veteran. Time moves by really quickly, but I’m thankful that he’s on our team and that he’s a captain for us.”
BYU Cougars 2025 Schedule (2-0, 0-0)
- Portland State Vikings @ BYU Cougars | W 69-0
- Stanford Cardinal @ BYU Cougars | W 27-3
- BYE
- Saturday, September 20 – BYU Cougars @ East Carolina Pirates | Kickoff 5:30 p.m. MT
- Saturday, September 27 – BYU Cougars @ Colorado Buffaloes | Kickoff 8:15 p.m. MT
- Friday, October 3 – West Virginia Mountaineers @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff 8:30 p.m. MT
- Saturday, October 11 – BYU Cougars @ Arizona Wildcats | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, October 18 – Utah Utes @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, October 25 – BYU Cougars @ Iowa State Cyclones | Kickoff TBA
- BYE
- Saturday, November 8 – BYU Cougars @ Texas Tech Red Raiders | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, November 15 – TCU Horned Frogs @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, November 22 – BYU Cougars @ Cincinnati Bearcats | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, November 29 – UCF Knights @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff TBA
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Following a bye, BYU travels to the East Coast to take on the East Carolina Pirates on Saturday, September 20. Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. MT.
Find BYU’s entire 2025 football schedule here.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
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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.
