BYU to Start True Freshman LJ Martin at Running Back Against Arkansas
BYU will start true freshman LJ Martin at running back against Arkansas, BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick announced on Wednesday. "LJ is going to start this game," Roderick said. "Aidan's going to play and so is Deion, but LJ is going to start this game." When asked why LJ is getting the nod, Roderick said, "He's breaking tackles."
Through two games, the true freshman from El Paso, Texas is leading the Cougars in rushing. Martin has 118 rushing yards on 22 carries for an average of 5.4 yards per carry. Veteran running backs Aidan Robbins and Deion Smith have 29 yards and 14 yards rushing, respectively.
Credit: BYU Photo
Martin provided a much-needed spark for the BYU offense in the season opener against Sam Houston State. After scoring a touchdown on the first drive of the game, BYU's offense was lifeless. On the next eight drives, BYU punted six times and turned it over on downs twice. Nothing was working whether it was the run game or the pass game. BYU tallied only 59 yards on those eight drives.
With four minutes left in the third quarter, BYU was holding on to a 7-0 lead. The Cougars got the ball at their own 37 yard-line and LJ Martin entered the game. He proved to be the spark the BYU offense was desperately looking for.
Aaron Roderick dialed up four consecutive runs for the true freshman - he totaled 21 yards on those four plays. Later on the same drive, BYU had a 4th & 1 from the Sam Houston 26 yard-line - he ran for seven yards and a first down. BYU went on to score a touchdown that drive after Martin ran for eight more yards to the one yard-line.
Martin finished with 91 carries on 16 attempts, a team high. The second leading rusher was Aidan Robbins with 23 yards. BYU turned to Martin to close out the victory in the fourth quarter - the Cougars beat Sam Houston State 14-0.
In the first two games, Martin was the only running back that consistently produced with the ball in his hands. Martin gives BYU the best chance to win at Arkansas.
Martin was one of the most productive running backs in Texas over the last two seasons of his high school career. He was named to the TSWA Class 5A First-Team All State last season after eclipsing 1,900 rushing yards and tallying 17 rushing touchdowns in 2022. In 2021, Martin ran for over 2,700 yards which ranked in the top five in Texas.
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