It was a night of offensive explosion for BYU in Fort Collins. The Cougars crushed the CSU Rams, 41-23, and the game wasn’t as close as the score looks in the abstract. BYU led 31-7 at halftime and shut down their offense early in the third quarter. It was then that BYU pulled the first-team offense and almost only ran the ball for the remainder of the game.
BYU’s rushing offense averaged no less than 158 yards per game in 2024, 2025, and in their last 30 games. Against Utah Tech to open the season, they had 308 yards; they had 148 against Arizona last week, and were over the 300-yard mark again against Colorado State. As a team, the Cougars had 41 rushes for 332 yards and five rushing touchdowns. BYU is 34-0 since 1972 when rushing for over 300 yards, including two of their three games this season. These Cougars love to run the dang ball!
Their passing game was solid, despite throwing two interceptions in the second half. BYU has averaged no less than 210 yards per game in their past 30 games. This season, they’ve been consistent. They had 213 against Utah Tech, 217 against Arizona, and 227 against Colorado State. Bear Bachmeier was 12 of 16 for 227 yards, and his only bad pass was his final one, which was an interception in the end zone.
The Cougars' total offense has been just as consistent in their past 30 games. Averaging no less than 390 yards of total offense in that span. They opened the season against Utah Tech with 521, opened Big 12 play against Arizona with 365, and had 559 against Colorado State. Their scoring has also been steady, averaging just over 31 points per game in their past 30 contests. They had 63 to open the season, 28 against Arizona, and 43 against Colorado State, and very well could have scored more in all three games this year if they so chose. BYU has 18 touchdowns through their first three games this season.
Offensive Play of the Game
This week’s Offensive Play of the Game has to go to LJ Martin. His 56-yard rushing touchdown on the second play from scrimmage showed all the skills that have made him one of BYU’s best. His ability to run in any direction, shed and elude tacklers, and break away speed are why he’s one of the best in the nation and in BYU history.
That's why he's the reigning defending Big 12 Player of the Year. https://t.co/gWNbtJERQu
— Phillip Riggs (@phillipriggs85) September 20, 2026
Offensive Player of the Game
LJ Martin would get 176 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries for BYU, with all but one carry and three yards coming in the first half. This would make LJ the sixth all-time leading rusher in BYU history. Jamaal Williams, Harvey Unga, Curtis Brown, Jamal Willis, and Tyler Allgeier are the elite five in front of him in career rushing yards. He passed Lakei Heimuli and Taysom Hill in this game and has 2,869 career rushing yards at the moment. He is ninth all-time with 26 career rushing touchdowns.
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