The next time you find yourself in the fifth hour of painstakingly whirling through Netflix, paralyzed with options, why not pick a horror movie? The adrenaline, the anxiety, the release, the thrill. Feel the agony of hiding from a monster. Cower in terror as you run from a seemingly inevitable clash with the beast. Here is a horrific parallel world in which nowhere is safe and no one can afford to stand at ease.
I couldn't bear to live in such a reality. For Portland State defenders on Saturday night, defending BYU running back LJ Martin was enough to send a chill down anyone's spine.
Pure power, decisive gap attacks, and the burst to break in any direction he so chooses, this junior rusher entered the 2025 season with tremendous expectations. A freshman quarterback now holds the keys to the offense -- an offense that outscored opponents in 11 contests a year ago -- he'll need some help to smooth over the rough edges that come with inexperience.
Enter LJ Martin in his third season on the field. A powerful back whose sophomore season was a bit stunted with an early injury against SMU, but finished strong after returning for the second half of the campaign. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry and rushed for 718 yards in just 10 of BYU's 13 games. When it comes to reliable running backs, the guy is a locomotive.
Do you remember the horror movie comparison? Portland State stood behind the line of scrimmage like Ariana Richards hiding from the raptors in Jurassic Park. Such unfiltered horror at the idea he may strike. Indeed, they were right to fear BYU's lead back.
131 yards on 8 carries? In the first half alone? Be afraid. Be very afraid. Just take a look at how he broke free on this play in the first quarter, taking the off-tackle handoff from Bachmeier, Martin stood before an empty void where once existed a defensive line. Skid marks in his wake, LJ darted downfield, outpacing the scrambling defense and unintentionally clobbering Chase Roberts blocking ahead -- none can withstand his flight.
LJ’s lower body strength is the real story here. Completely dragged three defenders at the end of this.
— Lawless Republic (@LawlessRepublic) August 31, 2025
pic.twitter.com/75WrxS1uxB
The amazing part of this play, to me, is the way he kept his legs driving even as the defense closed in. From just inside the 20-yard line, nearly down to the 5, he shed tackles and pushed his own pile of multiple defenders for extra mileage. You cannot bring him down. Don't kid yourself.
BYU's run game will need to be formidable to apply white-out on Bear Bachmeier's inevitable freshman mishaps. Inexperience is a natural aspect to skill development, and while the young signal caller looked composed and capable under center on Saturday, there are no guarantees he'll be immune to the occassional slip-up.
Here's where LJ Martin comes in. Picking up yards when the passing game stutters. Reaching the sticks and moving the chains. Delivering in critical moments on fourth down and at the goal line. Keeping the defense honest and opening passing lanes. He's applying oil to his side's creaky joints.
BYU's running game still appears to be in good hands with Martin leading the charge. He's hit another gear after an offseason of training, and BYU's offense is all the better for it.
Calvin Barrett is a writer, editor, and prolific Mario Kart racer located in Tokyo, Japan. He has covered the Utah Jazz and BYU athletics since 2024.