LJ Martin knew exactly what Bear Bachmeier was feeling prior to his first start on a new team, at a new school with its own unique culture, in front of 60,000 eager fans and on national television. That’s a lot for a true freshman to take in.
“I was nervous for him going into the first game because I know my first game, I was really nervous and I wasn’t supposed to play,” Martin told BYUtv’s “GameDay” pregame show this week. “So, I can only imagine what it was for him, and he did a great job of handling it.”
Martin made his BYU debut during the 2023 opener against Sam Houston. With Aidan Robbins tending to broken ribs, the highly touted freshman from El Paso, Texas, entered the game in the second half and ran for 6 yards on his first carry. Martin proceeded to run the ball 15 more times before the game ended, and finished the game with a team-high 91 yards.
Last Saturday, when Bachmeier’s opening drive against Portland State ended with a punt, Martin was ready with some encouragement.
“That first drive ended quickly and I just told him, ‘It’s alright. We’ll be good.’ Sure enough, it just took off after that,” Martin said. “I felt it was his first-game jitters. Once they got out, he started balling.”
Bachmeier scored five touchdowns before halftime on three passes and a pair of runs.
“I don’t think there was a point when I was really worried about (him), to be honest,” Martin said. “Practicing with him and going through fall camp and getting to know him, I thought we’d be fine no matter what happens.”
With the competition stiffening Saturday against Stanford (8:15 p.m., ESPN), Bachmeier’s level of comfort may very well depend on how much discomfort Martin can create for the Cardinal.
Running healthy, Martin is charging full steam ahead. In his last six quarters of injury-free football, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound bulldozer has been nothing but trouble for the defense. In the 2024 season finale against Colorado, Martin rushed 17 times for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Last week, against Portland State, he ran for a career-high 131 yards on just eight carries.
“It’s a lot different being able to plant my foot in the ground and go and not worry about anything else, not worrying about getting hurt,” Martin said. “Just being able to play free.”
Last week’s runs of 49 and 44 yards showcased Martin’s added muscle and increased speed. On one play he trucked right through several tacklers and on another, he dragged a handful of them 10 yards down the field — and all to the thunderous roar of a sold-out LaVell Edwards Stadium crowd.
With running the ball a top priority against Stanford, Martin knows that his increased productivity will decrease the pressure on his young quarterback. For the former Cardinal commit, the opportunity is a dream come true.
“It’s just a blessing,” Martin said. “It’s everything I always thought it would be.”
Dave McCann is a sportswriter and columnist for the Deseret News and is a play-by-play announcer and show host for BYUtv/ESPN+. He co-hosts “Y’s Guys” at ysguys.com and is the author of the children’s book “C is for Cougar,” available at deseretbook.com.