BYU got a welcome update on Sione Moa this week, but the final call on whether he suits up Saturday against No. 2 Notre Dame is still on hold.
Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said Tuesday that the second-string running back has been medically cleared after missing time with a knee injury. “He practiced today. He’s cleared to play,” Roderick said.
Moa has not appeared in a game since the first quarter of BYU’s opener against Utah Tech, when he suffered torn MCL and PCL ligaments in his knee. He had surgery in September, and his return after only five weeks suggests the injury was likely not as severe as it first sounded. It’s possible the damage was a partial tear rather than something that required a full reconstruction.
Even with that clearance, BYU is still taking a cautious approach. Moa was limited in Monday’s practice, and Tuesday marked “his first day really going for it,” according to Roderick. The staff plans to keep evaluating him before deciding if he’s ready for the kind of game Notre Dame is likely to bring.
“This is going to be a fast, violent game and we’re still evaluating whether or not we think he’s ready for that. So we’re going to let him practice a few more days and figure that out...he’s a really good player, you guys have seen him play.
He can really help our team when he’s right. We just want to make sure we’re doing the right thing by him.”
The matchup could make Moa especially useful if BYU decides he can handle a limited role. The Cougars had trouble in short-yardage spots against Iowa State, and that’s an area where Moa could give the offense an immediate lift.
Even if he’s not ready for a heavy workload of 10 or more carries, he could still provide three or four important runs. He also brings size to the room; Moa is at least 20 pounds heavier than Preston Rex, Devaughn Eka and Journee Tonga.
There’s still a wrinkle, though: Moa was not on Monday’s depth chart. Historically, that usually makes it rare for a player to appear in the game for medical reasons.
If Moa and Martin remain unavailable, BYU will keep leaning on Rex, Tonga and Eka at running back. Roderick said that group will continue handling the load.
“It’s going to be by committee,” Roderick said. “Those guys are doing a good job, they’re young and they’re getting better every game. We trust those guys...none of those guys are ready to play the full 60 snaps like LJ might.”
In Other News...
Clayton Young Just Gave BYU Fans A Stunning Reason To Celebrate
Less than a month after nursing a hamstring injury, Clayton Young gave BYU fans plenty to smile about at the Chicago Marathon. The former Cougar delivered a personal best, finished seventh overall and led all Americans in 2:05:23, turning in one of the most eye-catching performances by a U.S. runner in recent memory.
Young came up just short of the American record held by his training partner Conner Mantz, but the bigger story for BYU supporters is how quickly he bounced back and how well he handled the recovery process. He took a cautious route, tested the hamstring in training runs before signing up to race, and then showed he was ready for the biggest stage with a result that should only add to the buzz around the program. [Read more 🡒]
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What makes this trip especially noteworthy is how much momentum BYU appears to have already built in the race for a player ranked No. 5 in his class. No decision date has been announced, but with Williams still weighing a handful of top options and an early signing period looming in November 2026, the Cougars now have a chance to strengthen their standing on the kind of recruit that can change the outlook of a class. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Is Saying All The Right Things About BYU Before Saturday
With a top-10 trip to Provo looming, Marcus Freeman spent the week stressing the basics for Notre Dame: clean execution, sharp preparation and a roster ready for the noise waiting at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The Irish coach made it clear the setting will matter, and so will the challenge of dealing with a BYU team that has earned plenty of attention heading into Saturday.
Bear Bachmeier is a major reason for that respect. Freeman called the BYU quarterback a dual-threat player, and Notre Dame players echoed the sense that this is the kind of stage where every snap feels bigger. For the Irish, the conversation has been about embracing the spotlight and the competitiveness that comes with a high-profile matchup, even before the teams take the field. [Read more 🡒]