Two BYU Football Players Earn Big 12 Recognition
Oct 13, 2025, 11:42 AM | Updated: 2:15 pm
PROVO, Utah – The undefeated BYU Cougars are lapping the Big 12 competition on the field and in the trophy case after earning two conference awards this week.
True freshman QB Bear Bachmeier earned his fourth Big 12 Freshman of the Week honor, and RB LJ Martin was named Big 12 Co-Offensive Player of the Week for their performances in a double-OT win over Arizona.
RELATED: Takeaways From BYU’s Wild Double Overtime Victory At Arizona
We witnessed high-octane football all weekend long and these dudes led the way 👏#Big12FB | @Venmo pic.twitter.com/rCfijsOcjT
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 13, 2025
The bruising ball-carriers combined for 251 rushing yards and three scores in a come-from-behind road win.
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LJ Martin runs all over Arizona defense
Martin has been a key cog in the Cougar offense all season. The 6’2, 220-pound runner topped the 100-yard plateau for the fourth time in 2025 when he ran for a career-high 162 yards and a touchdown in the win against Arizona.
He was dominant from the start, averaging 6.5 yards per carry, including a 28-yard first-half TD run.
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BYU running back LJ Martin has been named the Big 12's Co-Offensive Player of the Week. pic.twitter.com/5Ae0ryXj2R
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 13, 2025
The career day came one week after Martin scored twice in a 14-point win over West Virginia.
Martin has gained 652 yards (6.5 yards per carry) with four touchdowns in 2025. He averages 108.7 yards per game.
Bear Bachmeier continues freshman dominance
The Big 12 might consider renaming the Freshman of the Week award after Bear Bachmeier, seeing as how the true frosh has earned the recognition four times in seven weeks.
Bachmeier threw for 172 yards and a touchdown, but it was his legs that ignited the BYU offense in the second half and OT.
RELATED: BYU Football Progress Report: Arizona Edition
Bear does it ALL😱👀
Bear Bachmeier Highlights vs. Arizona🎬#Big12FB | @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/vjNvb3oqzb— Big 12 Studios (@big12studios) October 12, 2025
The 220-pound 19-year-old bashed his way to 89 yards on the ground and two scores while sharing the bulk of the workload with Martin.
Bachmeier increased his freshman QB program record to seven rushing touchdowns this season. He is averaging 4.2 yards per carry and nearly 50 rushing yards per game this season.
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No. 15 BYU hosts No. 23 Utah at LaVell Edwards Stadium in a rivalry week showdown on Saturday, October 18. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. MT.
Find BYU’s entire 2025 football schedule here.
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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.
