IRVING, Texas — BYU running back LJ Martin was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in helping No. 11 BYU to a 26-14 win at Cincinnati on Saturday.
Martin rushed for a career-high 222 yards on 32 carries (6.9 average) to go with two touchdowns versus the Bearcats. His 222-yards rushing is the eighth highest single-game total in school history, while the 32 carries are the fourth-highest total ever at BYU.
The 6-2, 220-pound junior running back from El Paso, Texas, also had three catches for 44 yards, giving him 266 all-purpose yards, the fourth-highest total at BYU in the last 30 years. Martin's 33-yard touchdown with 1:02 to play in the game sealed the victory.
Martin currently leads the Big 12 in carries (195) rushing yards (1,134) and yards per game (103.9) and is second in all-purpose yards (120.3). He is seventh in the nation in rushing yards, eighth in all-purpose yards and ninth in rushing yards per game.
Prior to the 2025 season, Martin was named to the watch list for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award for a second consecutive season and has been named Campbell-Rose Award National Player of the Week honorable mention twice in 2025.
Martin 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.
BYU hosts the UCF Knights at 11 a.m. MT on ESPN2 Saturday in LaVell Edwards Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 with Matt Schumacker, Dustin Fox and Sherree Burruss on the call.