For two of BYU’s most significant seniors, LJ Martin and Isaiah Glasker, the team they want to beat the most this fall is not even on the schedule.
The long-awaited clash with Notre Dame in Provo (Oct. 17) will boast national ramifications and the rivalry showdown at Utah (Nov. 7) speaks for itself; however, it’s earning another shot at Texas Tech that drives both of them to get better.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way. They are a really good team,” said Martin, the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. “We know if we want to compete for the Big 12 championship or the national championship, that’s what we are going to have to go up against.”
“Quite frankly, we weren’t good enough last year. We have another chance this year to go out there and prove we are good enough and compete against them again.”
— BYU running back LJ Martin on Texas Tech
The only way for BYU and Texas Tech to face each other will be if they both reach the Big 12 title game on Dec. 4 in Arlington, Texas — the same stage and venue where, last December, the No. 5 Red Raiders routed the No. 11 Cougars, 34-7.
“We need to take that extra step this year,” said linebacker Isaiah Glasker. “I feel like we fell short last year, but we are taking gradual steps forward, so I think just pushing a little extra will get us into the playoffs.”
Texas Tech is the preseason favorite to repeat as Big 12 champion. With an excellent coach and committed NIL coffers, the Red Raiders have quickly become the standard the other 15 programs are chasing, including BYU.
“Quite frankly, we weren’t good enough last year,” said Martin. “We have another chance this year to go out there and prove we are good enough and compete against them again.”
Texas Tech beat BYU 29-7 during the regular season (Nov. 8) when the Cougars traveled to Lubbock, Texas, with a program-best No. 7 ranking in the College Football Playoff poll. In the loss, Glasker had a team-high 10 tackles and Martin, favoring a tender shoulder, amassed 78 yards of total offense.
During the rematch in the Big 12 title game, Glasker produced six tackles and Martin combined runs and receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown, but a flurry of second-half turnovers turned the tide toward Texas Tech.
Healing from postseason surgeries, Glasker and Martin spent spring practice coaching up their teammates. Glasker expects to be cleared for workouts in June. Martin will get the green light in May.
Favorite run
During Martin’s junior season, where he rushed 236 times for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns, his favorite was one 10-yard scoring burst against Texas Tech.
“I felt that first drive was really good. It was in the championship game and we were feeling good,” said Martin of BYU’s 14-play, 90-yard drive to give the Cougars a 7-0 lead. “Some things happened from there where it didn’t work out, but in that moment, it gave us confidence and reassurance after we lost that first game and couldn’t move the ball on them. To move the ball on them felt good.”
With 2,541 yards, Martin ranks No. 9 among BYU’s all-time rushing leaders. Another season like last year will put him within reach of breaking Jamaal Williams’ program record (3,901).
Feeling better
A blow to the shoulder knocked Martin out of the Iowa State game in the first quarter on Oct. 25. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound former Texas prep star returned for the final five games of the regular season before having surgery prior to the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
In those games that didn’t include Texas Tech and their vaunted defense, Martin combined for 405 yards and six touchdowns, including a 222-yard performance at Cincinnati. Even with the two bouts against the Red Raiders, Martin still finished with the most rushing yards in the Big 12.
He’s ready to get back on the field.
“I’ve been testing (the shoulder) already,” Martin said. “They have a punching bag in the weight room. I probably should not be saying this, but from time to time, I run at it and put my shoulder into it. It feels pretty good.”
Sitting out spring drills brought a change of pace for Martin, where standing instead of running caused more thinking than doing.
“Learning the basics, seeing the fundamentals, things that everyone can improve on — low pad level, watching the safety, watching the defense and how they rotate, how they move, just understanding (where) the pressures are coming from,” Martin said. “That’s something I’ve been able to learn.”
BYU opens the season against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Sept. 5.
“If we had to play tomorrow, I’d be fine,” Martin said. “I’m eager. I’ve been missing it.”
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.