Without LJ Martin for the foreseeable future, the No. 2 BYU Cougars might have an answer for their backfield: third-year running back Sione Moa, cleared to go this weekend at UCF.
Moa, who exited the season-opener against Utah Tech with a knee injury, was initially cleared for Notre Dame last week, BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick told reporters on Thursday, but remains under evaluation as the Cougars move forward without their power rusher in Martin. BYU leaned on Preston Rex and Bear Bachmeier for most of the touches last week.
The Cougars have rose to a 7-point favorite against UCF on Saturday in Orlando. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m. CT on FOX.
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Moa returned to the active roster this offseason following a bout with acute compartment syndrome in his right thight, which threatened his football career altogether. The Victorville, California, native missed much of the 2025 campaign, and made a brief return for the Big 12 Championship loss to Texas Tech; Moa has 53 career carries for 258 yards and 4 touchdowns at BYU.
Martin, meanwhile, remains sidelined with an ankle injury that removed the star rusher from a 17-10 win over TCU. His timeline is anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks, which, at the latest, could set up for a potential return vs. Baylor on Nov. 14 at the latest. BYU travels to Salt Lake City for the Holy War matchup with Utah, currently No. 10 in the country, on Nov. 7.
UCF sets up the Cougars with an opportunity to test Moa’s capacity and where he could play a role in keeping the run a viable part of the offensive playbook in the weeks ahead. The Knights are 26th nationally against the run, but have a hard time accounting for the perimeter and quarterbacks; Conversely, UCF, ranking 120th among passing defenses, would rather fight BYU’s ground game than take Saturday’s matchup through the air.
