An injury to LJ Martin is expected to sideline the No. 8 BYU offense for four to six weeks, according to an October 8 report from the Associated Press.
The senior running back suffered a lower-body injury during the Cougars' 17-10 win over TCU, exiting the game after recording two carries for 16 yards.
Martin's absence follows a season where he was the Big 12's leading rusher, totaling 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns. In his absence during the TCU game, BYU recorded only 216 total yards.
BYU coach Kalani Sitake said the team will rely on depth and trust players like Preston Rex and Journee Tonga to shoulder the workload. Both players are expected to see increased carries after filling in for Martin during the win against TCU.
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier is also expected to take a more active role in the running game. Bachmeier ran for 66 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries against TCU, following 12 carries over the first three games of the season.
Iowa State enters the matchup with Aiden Flora, who was named the AP National Player of the Week after rushing for 212 yards and accounting for five touchdowns in a 45-42 victory over West Virginia. Flora is the third player in Big 12 history to record a passing, rushing, and punt return touchdown in a single season.
Iowa State also maintains a 22-game rushing streak of at least 100 yards, the longest active streak among Power 4 teams. The Cyclones have accumulated 987 rushing yards through five games, the most for the program in a five-game stretch since 2009.
The upcoming game on Friday marks the seventh meeting between BYU and Iowa State, with four games having been held in Provo. The Cougars hold a 0-3 record at home against the Cyclones, including a 45-13 loss in 2023.
Iowa State coach Jimmy Rogers noted that Bachmeier's ability to run and throw deep makes him a physical threat for the Cyclones' defense.
