A healthy LJ Martin makes No. 9 Cougars’ rushing attack even better

BYU running back LJ Martin, left, is tackled by Central Florida defense during a game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. | Kevin Kolczynski

In No. 9 BYU’s rousing 37-24 win over UCF last Saturday, star sophomore running back LJ Martin ripped off a 6-yard carry the first play of the fourth quarter to surpass the 100-yard rushing plateau for the second-straight week.

Martin was not heard from again — until he appeared in the postgame news conference in a cramped storage room under FBC Mortgage Stadium and said he felt “definitely better” than he did the previous week against Oklahoma State.

That made some folks wonder why BYU’s RB1 didn’t play the rest of the fourth quarter, and why RB2 Hinckley Ropati got the bulk of the carries, backed up by third-stringer Miles Davis, who had two carries.

Will Martin be available in 12 days when BYU (8-0, 5-0) travels to Salt Lake City to take on the slumping Utes (4-4, 1-4) at 8:15 p.m. in a game that will be televised by ESPN?

Absolutely, BYU coach Kalani Sitake said Monday in his weekly press briefing.

“We felt like that was a good move to just keep LJ out,” Sitake said. “He will be fine. He will be ready to play this next game. He is going to be ready to practice this week.”

Martin missed BYU’s games against Wyoming, Kansas State and Baylor, then had 11 carries against Arizona, 20 carries against OSU and 15 against UCF.

“Last week I felt like I was struggling a little bit moving, but I felt a lot better this week,” Martin said.

The El Paso, Texas, product surpassed quarterback Jake Retzlaff on BYU’s leading rushers list; Martin has rushed for 357 yards and five touchdowns, with a long of 24. Retzlaff has rushed for 303 yards and three TDs, with a long of 29.

Ropati is No. 3 on the list, with 49 carries for 284 yards in five games.

“Credit to the O…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/healthy-lj-martin-makes-no-010000386.html

Author : Deseret News

Publish date : 2024-10-29 01:00:00

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