BYU will go into Saturday’s game at Arizona State without two of its biggest names, and the injury report only adds more uncertainty on both sides.
LJ Martin and Evan Johnson have officially been ruled out for the Cougars, according to the initial availability report. The expectation is that Martin could be back for next week’s game against Utah.
BYU also lost right guard Trevin Ostler, who was ruled out after what appeared to be a serious injury against UCF. Ostler had been starting at right guard while Kyle Sfarcioc worked his way back from injury.
Sfarcioc, though, is listed as “probable” against ASU, which points toward a return to the lineup. The same goes for running back Preston Rex, who logged only five carries against the Knights. If Rex was dealing with something against UCF, it would help explain why his workload dipped so sharply after his breakout performance against Notre Dame the week before.
ASU has injury issues of its own. Starting offensive lineman Tana Alo-Tupuola is out for the Sun Devils, and the biggest names on their report are the players listed as “questionable” for Saturday. That group is headlined by quarterback Mikey Keene and starting safety Lyrik Rawls.
Arizona State has already shuffled through multiple options at quarterback this season. Starter Cutter Boley was benched after throwing two interceptions on just 10 attempts against Texas Tech, and the Sun Devils turned to veteran Mikey Keene. He gave ASU a lift in that game, throwing for 256 yards and two touchdowns, though the outcome was already out of reach by the time he was driving the offense.
Keene then started against Kansas State, passed for 160 yards, and exited with an injury. His status for BYU remains questionable, a designation that gives him a 50% chance to play.
If Keene can’t go, ASU would have to turn to true freshman Jake Fette. Fette threw for 45 yards after entering against Kansas State, and he has only eight career pass attempts.
He also got a brief look against Morgan State, where he threw two passes and both were turnover worthy. Still, he helped lead ASU to a win over Kansas State, and if he starts against BYU, it would be the first start of his career.
No matter who lines up under center for the Sun Devils, BYU should have chances to apply pressure. Neither Keene nor Fette has shown an ability to consistently avoid it this season. Fette has been sacked twice in 11 dropbacks, while Keene has taken five sacks over the last two games.
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