Without LJ Martin, BYU’s ground game has taken a hit - but the Cougars may finally get a useful piece back in time for Saturday’s trip to UCF.
Third-year running back Sione Moa is cleared to play this weekend in Orlando, BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said Thursday, giving the No. 2 Cougars another option in the backfield. Moa exited the season opener against Utah Tech with a knee injury, and while he was initially cleared for Notre Dame last week, BYU has kept evaluating him as it moves ahead without Martin.
Roderick made it clear Moa is trending in the right direction: "He’s closer. We’re still evaluating him, but he’s cleared to play.
He was cleared to play last week. With him, it’s a confidence thing.
He’s been through a lot, and we’re not pushing him the way we might push someone else. …
BYU has already had to lean on Preston Rex and Bear Bachmeier for most of the workload, and that makes Moa’s possible return especially timely. The Cougars have been installed as 7-point favorites against UCF, with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. CT on FOX.
Moa’s path back has been anything but ordinary. He returned to the active roster this offseason after dealing with acute compartment syndrome in his right thight, an issue that nearly ended his football career.
The Victorville, California, native missed much of the 2025 season and did make a brief appearance in the Big 12 Championship loss to Texas Tech. So far at BYU, he has 53 career carries for 258 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Martin’s absence, though, remains the bigger blow. The star rusher was sidelined by an ankle injury that knocked him out of the 17-10 win over TCU.
His recovery window is listed at 4 to 6 weeks, which could put a return in play by Baylor on Nov. 14 at the latest. Before that, BYU heads to Salt Lake City for the Holy War against Utah on Nov. 7, with the Utes currently ranked No. 10 in the country.
That leaves Saturday’s game as a useful measuring stick for BYU’s backfield depth. UCF is 26th nationally against the run, but the Knights have struggled to handle the perimeter and quarterbacks. On the other side, UCF ranks 120th in pass defense, which suggests the Knights would much rather make BYU work on the ground than let the Cougars attack through the air.
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