BYU’s 17-10 win over TCU on Saturday delivered a hard-earned result, but it also came with a list of injury concerns that could linger long after the final whistle.
Running back LJ Martin, the defending Big 12 Conference offensive player of the year, left in the middle of the first quarter with what appeared to be an ankle injury. His exit showed up immediately in the flow of the game, as TCU largely bottled up BYU’s ground attack and forced the Cougars to lean on other answers before the quarterback took charge to help close it out.
Not long after that, during Faletau Satuala’s interception, senior linebacker Isaiah Glasker headed to the medical tent with what looked like a significant lower-leg injury. He later stood on the sideline with a towel over his head, while teammates stopped by to comfort him. Edge Nusi Taumoepeau was among those who appeared to offer prayers beside him, a sign that the injury may be serious.
Kalani Sitake said both players will need further evaluation.
“The good thing is that he was standing and moving, so we’ll have to evaluate. Same thing with LJ,” Sitake said.
“So it wasn’t like those guys were on crutches or anything like that. I’m encouraged with that, but you never know until you get a look at it and get to evaluate it with MRIs and things like that.”
Martin tried to return, working extensively with trainers, but eventually came out of the locker room after halftime in street clothes.
Without him, BYU’s rushing attack had to be pieced together on the fly. Preston Rex got the first shot as the lead back and finished with 21 yards on eight carries.
Freshman Journee Tonga became the go-to option late and added 28 yards on seven carries, including an important role on BYU’s decisive touchdown drive. Still, neither could come close to matching what Martin usually brings.
“LJ is the best back in the Big 12. So, it’s going to hurt any team when someone like that goes down,” Rex said.
“But we learn from the best. Coach Harvey (Unga) is the best in the nation.
LJ is really good in between the tackles, and I feel like I’m a change-of-pace guy, so we got the talent. So, it was just our time to step up, and we did enough.
We got the job done tonight.”
Glasker’s absence also forced others into bigger roles. Jake Clifton spent much of the game filling in and said the key was simply being ready when his number was called.
“It’s just getting your mind right that you’re going to be in the game for, you know, four or five series, right?,” Clifton said. “My body hasn’t really gone through that recently, but everybody on the team has put confidence in me.
(My teammates) all came up to me and instilled confidence in me. So, at the end of the day, next guy’s up.”
BYU had another personnel issue to manage as standout sophomore defensive back and primary returner Cannon DeVries also left early with an undisclosed injury.
The other pivotal swing came on special teams. Midway through the third quarter, with scoring chances scarce, BYU chose to trust its field goal unit on a 49-yard try.
Matthias Dunn came through, with Ty Smith handling the snap and Fuller Shurtz serving as holder in tough conditions. TCU later faced a kick attempt that was eight yards shorter and couldn’t produce the same result.
Sitake pointed to special teams coordinator Justin Ena and the preparation that went into that moment.
“Justin (Ena) is our special teams coordinator for a reason, and that’s that’s all he does. He does full time on that,” Sitake said.
“He’s such a hard worker that he’s going to get these guys ready … Those guys have been snapping wet balls, and Ty Smith has been snapping wet balls for two weeks now, just prepping for this moment. We had no issues with it on … all that stuff, and that’s Coach Ena.
So, uh, I like to take credit, but that’s that’s my guy and my former roommate that made that thing happen.”
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BYU Won At TCU But A Bigger Concern Just Took Over
BYU left Fort Worth with a win, but the bigger takeaway from the 17-10 victory at TCU was how hard the Cougars had to work for every yard. The offense never really found its rhythm, finishing with just 216 yards while dealing with injuries to key players, and for long stretches it was the defense that kept BYU in control.
Bear Bachmeiers late touchdown run supplied the margin, but the performance also raised a broader question about how close this team is to the level it expected to reach before the season. A road win in the Big 12 is never easy, yet BYU will likely need a cleaner showing on offense if it wants to keep pace with those preseason expectations. [Read more 🡒]
Sonny Dykes Said What BYU Keeps Doing Is A Real Problem
TCU came away from its 17-10 loss to BYU with plenty to feel good about on defense, but not nearly enough on the scoreboard. The Horned Frogs held the Cougars to 17 points and just 62 passing yards, yet still dropped to 0-2 in Big 12 play for the first time since 2013 because the offense could only manage one touchdown.
Sonny Dykes pointed to the obvious issue afterward: the Horned Frogs have to be better on offense if they want to get out of the early hole. He also gave BYU credit for the way Bear Bachmeier helped move the ball on the ground, another reminder that the Cougars keep finding ways to stress opponents even when the passing game is limited. [Read more 🡒]
BYUs Gritty TCU Win Changed The Ceiling Debate
BYUs rain-soaked win at TCU did more than add another road victory to the ledger. It offered a reminder of how much the Cougars can lean on defense and discipline when the conditions get ugly, and it came in Fort Worth, where they had not won since 2006. With several players banged up along the way, BYU still found a way to keep the Horned Frogs from settling in, thanks in part to a defense that made life difficult up front and a game plan that stayed patient even when the offense never looked especially clean.
Bear Bachmeiers passing day was not the sort that changes anyones mind on its own, but BYU did not need fireworks to leave Texas with a result that mattered. The four sacks were a big part of the story, and so was the willingness to stick with a conservative approach in a game where field position and toughness mattered more than style points. For a team that has spent part of the season fighting the ceiling debate, this was the kind of win that forces a more serious conversation about how high the Cougars can climb. [Read more 🡒]