IRVING, Texas — BYU running back LJ Martin was today named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Cougars’ 33-27 double-overtime win at Arizona on Saturday.
Martin rushed for a career-high 162 yards on 25 carries, good for a 6.5 average against an Arizona defense that was ranked 25th nationally in run defense. Prior to facing BYU, the highest rushing total the Wildcats had surrendered to an opponent running back this season was 63 yards. In addition, UA was allowing opponents just 97.6 total rushing yards per game.
Martin, a 6-2, 220-pound running back from El Paso, Texas, currently leads the Big 12 in rushing with 652 yard in six games, good for 108.7 yards per game. He is currently seventh in the nation in rushing and sixth in yards per game.
He also has nine receptions for 77 yards, good for 9.6 yards per catch. Martin has rushed for over 100 yards in five of BYU’s six games this season and has scored four touchdowns.
Prior to the 2025 season, Martin was named to the watch list for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award for a second consecutive season. He was also named Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team by Athlon Sports and was on the watch list for the prestigious Doak Walker Award, presented annually to the nation’s best collegiate running back.
As a sophomore in 2024, Martin led BYU in rushing with 723 yards on 138 carries with seven touchdowns and was named College Football Network All-Big 12 honorable mention. In addition, he earned back-to-back Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week honorable-mention recognition for performances versus Arizona and Oklahoma State. Martin wrapped up his sophomore campaign by being named the 2024 Valero Alamo Bowl Offensive MVP after leading BYU to a 36-14 win over nationally ranked Colorado.
No. 14/15 ranked BYU will host No. 22/23 ranked Utah in the Cougars’ annual homecoming game slated for Saturday, Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. MDT on FOX. The game features the first ranked meeting between the two teams since 2009. FOX Sports' popular national pregame television show Big Noon Kickoff will be broadcast live from BYU on Saturday at 8 a.m. MDT.