Running Back LJ Martin Out For BYU Cougars At SMU

Sep 6, 2024, 7:42 PM | Updated: Sep 10, 2024, 11:20 am

LJ Martin attempts a rush against the SMU Mustangs on Friday, September 6.

Digital Sports Producer

DALLAS, Texas – BYU starting running back LJ Martin is not expected to return after suffering an injury in the first half against SMU.

The Cougars are in the Lone Star State against the SMU Mustangs for their first road game of 2024.

RELATED: BYU Football Drops Hype Video Ahead Of SMU Matchup

#BYU RB LJ Martin is on crutches down on the sideline.#BYUFootball

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2024

Martin carried five times for 20 yards before leaving with what appeared to be an ankle injury. Trainers attended to Martin on the sideline before he retreated to the medical tent with Cougar training staff.

The sophomore running back led BYU with 68 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries last week in a win over Southern Illinois. Martin came into the season at No. 18 on Hans & Scotty G’s annual 60 in 60 list.

Martin left the tent. He's now on the sideline, being attended to by trainers while trotting up and down and doing some light jogging.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 7, 2024

The Cougars offense has been stagnant since Martin departed. QB Jake Retzlaff is 9-of-19 for 138 yards and a pair of turnovers. Hinckley Ropati carried six times for 20 yards before also appearing to limp off.

The Cougars trail SMU 12-7.

BYU Cougars 2024 Schedule

Southern Illinois Salukis @ BYU Cougars (41-13 W)
BYU Cougars @ SMU Mustangs
Saturday, September 14 – BYU Cougars @ Wyoming Cowboys | Kickoff 7 p.m. MT
Saturday, September 21 – Kansas State Wildcats @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff TBA
Saturday, September 28 – BYU Cougars @ Baylor Bears | Kickoff TBA
BYE
Saturday, October 12 – Arizona Wildcats @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff TBA
Friday, October 18 – Oklahoma State Cowboys @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff 8:15 p.m MT
Saturday, October 26 – BYU Cougars @ UCF Knights | Kickoff TBA
BYE
Saturday, November 9 – BYU Cougars @ Utah Utes | Kickoff TBA
Saturday, November 16 – Kansas Jayhawks @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff TBA
Saturday, November 23 – BYU Cougars @ Arizona State Sun Devils | Kickoff TBA
Saturday, November 30 – Houston Cougars @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff TBA

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LaVell Edwards Stadium 2024 capacity: 62,073

Despite a slight dip in total capacity at LaVell Edwards Stadium, BYU still has the largest stadium in the 16-team Big 12 Conference. BYU became the owner of the biggest stadium in the league following the departures of Texas and Oklahoma

The next biggest stadium after BYU’s is Iowa State’s Jack Trice Stadium, which has a capacity of 61,500. So BYU has a 573-seat edge on the Cyclones.

📍 Dallas#BYU vs. SMU#BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/Hv0MeaEJGF

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 6, 2024

Four Big 12 stadiums have a capacity of at least 60,000, and six others are between 50 and 54,000. The smallest stadium in the Big 12 is the historic Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. Cincinnati’s capacity is 38,007 for the 2024 season.

Find a list of the Big 12 largest stadiums by capacity here.

What channel is BYU football on?

The BYU football game against SMU will be broadcast on ESPN+. Anish Schroff, Andre Ware, and Paul Carcaterra will be on the call.

Postgame Show

BYU vs. SMU recap on KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM), KSLSports.com, and the KSL Sports app.

For more information on BYU football, follow our BYU insider Mitch Harper. Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on Twitter/X and Threads: @Mitch_Harper.