AMES, Iowa – A disastrous first quarter got worse for BYU football when Big 12 leading rusher LJ Martin entered the medical tent after his final rush of the period.
The Cougars went into the second quarter trailing 17-7.
The No. 11 Cougars are taking on the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, October 25.
RELATED: No. 11 BYU Vs. Iowa State: Live Updates & Analysis
BYU running back LJ Martin entered the medical tent after his final carry of the first quarter.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 25, 2025
After being briefly looked at on the sideline, Martin left the blue tent and walked to the locker room with medical personnel. The FOX broadcast reported that Martin is out for the remainder of the day.
His loss puts significant pressure on true freshman Bear Bachmeier to carry the offense.
BYU running back LJ Martin exited the medical tent and left for the locker room with trainers.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 25, 2025
Iowa State threw a 75-yard touchdown haymaker on the first play from scrimmage, setting a tone the Cougars are yet to match.
BYU answered with a scoring drive, but its defense struggled against the Cyclones’ massive rushing attack.
ISU outgained the Cougars 192 yards to 81 in the opening 15 minutes. BYU was flagged for three penalties and failed to convert its only third-down attempt.
BYU Cougars 2025 Schedule (7-0, 4-0)
- Portland State Vikings @ BYU Cougars | W 69-0
- Stanford Cardinal @ BYU Cougars | W 27-3
- BYE
- BYU Cougars @ East Carolina Pirates | W 34-13
- BYU Cougars @ Colorado Buffaloes | W 24-21
- West Virginia Mountaineers @ BYU Cougars | W 38-24
- BYU Cougars @ Arizona Wildcats | W 33-27
- Utah Utes @ BYU Cougars | W 24-21
- BYU Cougars @ Iowa State Cyclones |
- BYE
- Saturday, November 8 – BYU Cougars @ Texas Tech Red Raiders | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, November 15 – TCU Horned Frogs @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, November 22 – BYU Cougars @ Cincinnati Bearcats | Kickoff TBA
- Saturday, November 29 – UCF Knights @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff TBA
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BYU enjoys its second bye of the 2025 season before facing the highly-rated Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday, November 8. Kickoff is to be determined.
Find BYU’s entire 2025 football schedule here.
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Brian Preece is a KSLSports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
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