‘We’re fine’: Kalani Sitake not fretting over thin running back situation as Cougs roll into October

Running back LJ Martin, receiver Chase Roberts, tight end Carsen Ryan and freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier have clearly emerged as BYUs offensive stars in 2025 for the No. 23-ranked, undefeated Cougars.

BYU would be hard-pressed to replace any of them, particularly the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Martin, a junior from El Paso, Texas. That was made even more evident in Saturday’s 24-21 win over Colorado, as Bachmeier ran the ball as much as Martin did — 15 carries apiece — and was put into harm’s way as much as the prized RB.

Receivers Cody Hagen and Parker Kingston and Enoch Nawahine also had carries for the Cougars, and Nawahine slipped and fell on a second-and-3 play from the CU 5, causing Bachmeier to have to throw the ball away.

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Before the game, coach Kalani Sitake told Greg Wrubell of the BYU Sports Radio Network that RB2 Sione Moa (undisclosed injury) will be out for more than a couple of games, seemingly leaving the Cougars shorthanded at that position.

“We will see in the next few weeks how it is going to look,” Sitake said.

On Monday, Sitake insisted that BYU has enough depth at the position, saying “yeah, we’re fine” when asked about it by the Deseret News.

Moa is no longer on the four-player running back depth chart released by BYU Monday ahead of Friday’s 8:30 p.m. Big 12 showdown with visiting West Virginia (0-2, 2-3), which has plenty of its own injuries to worry about.

Following Martin, who is clearly RB1, there is redshirt freshman Jovesa Damuni, converted safety Preston Rex, and Nawahine, in that order.

“We have got (other) guys who can run the ball,” Sitake said. “You just don’t know about them yet, but there are guys that are capable of running the ball and guys that can play with LJ, whether it’s Enoch Nawahine or Preston Rex, Logan Payne or Jovesa Damuni.”

Payne is a 5-foot-10, 215-pound freshman returned missionary from Weber High. His brother Tyler is a BYU linebacker and their father, Matt, was a kicker and punter for the Cougars from 2000 to 2004.

“Maybe (people) haven’t heard about them, but they’re super talented, and they’ll make their mark. You guys didn’t know about Sione Moa before, either,” Sitake said.

Moa had 17 carries for 90 yards and a touchdown before sustaining the injury against East Carolina. Martin leads BYU with 400 yards on 55 carries, while Bachmeier has 163 yards on 37 carries and Hagen has 93 yards on six carries.

“I trust Harvey Unga as running back coach, and (all the offensive assistant coaches) there, so we’ll be fine.”

Here are some other takeaways from Monday’s weekly press briefing:

Sitake mourning the death of President Russell M. Nelson

Moments after the Cougars defeated the Buffaloes at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado, news broke that Russell M. Nelson, beloved President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had died at the age of 101. BYU is supported by the faith, and Sitake said he has met the leader several times.

“I can speak for millions of others that really appreciate his service and what he’s done for us as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” Sitake said Monday. “It has been amazing to hear him speak. (General) Conference is going to be this weekend, and it’s going to be different not hearing him speak this time.

“But the accomplishments that he’s been able to get done (are amazing). … I’m in a really cool spot where I get to meet a lot of the Brethren and the General Authorities, and so I’ll cherish those moments that I’ve had with the leaders there, and I’m excited about this weekend to be able to hear everyone speak.”

The Cougars are playing the Mountaineers on Friday to avoid conflicts with General Conference, which begins Saturday.

Sitake says Mountaineers will bring their best to Provo

West Virginia, which was pounded 48-14 by Utah on Saturday, is making its first-ever trip to BYU. The Mountaineers lead the series 2-0, having edged BYU 35-32 at FedEx Field in 2016 and walloped the Cougars 37-7 in 2023 in Morgantown. Sitake said new WVU coach Rich Rodriguez is one of the most innovative and creative offensive coaches in college football history and will bring a talented team to Provo that will get some key players back from injury.

“They’ve had some bad luck with injuries. So we have to prepare (well), because I know (Rich Rod) is extremely smart. You look at his coaching staff there, they’re all bright. So this isn’t going to be easy. We just have to be ready to make sure that we defend our home ground and that we can lean on our home crowd to give us an advantage.”

BYU’s offensive line still a work in progress

Starting right guard Austin Leausa started Saturday vs. Colorado, but sustained a left arm injury and could be seen wearing a sling after the contest. He was replaced by Southern Utah transfer Kyle Sfarcioc, who was flagged for a hold that negated a Chase Roberts reception, and a false start.

One of the many highlights for BYU’s O line was the way center Bruce Mitchell sprinted 30 yards downfield and made a key block on Hagen’s 32-yard touchdown run. Tackles Isaiah Jatta and Andrew Gentry were solid, as Bachmeier was never sacked.

Sitake said he trusts offensive line coach TJ Woods to make the right decisions in regard to personnel.

“If he wants to see different guards in the lineup, then we’ll just keep going that way,” Sitake said. “I trust him, and I trust the guys that are out there. We have more than just five guys that can start, so we’re going to try to use them all. And if guys are winded, their backup at 100% has got to be better than (them) at 50%.”

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