Two BYU football starters ruled out in latest Big 12 availability report
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The BYU Cougars took home a 17-10 win after batting TCU in Fort Worth, Texas. But the victory came with a bit of a cost. Injuries are starting to stack up for Kalani Sitake's team. Just when the season couldn't take a downturn after the bye week, there are now concerns.
Two key starters will be out for Friday's game against Iowa State. BYU running back LJ Martin will miss his first game of the season. The Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year exited last Saturday's game early against the Horned Frogs and never returned. Bear Bachmeier stepped up and carried the Cougars. It mattered the most. He ran in the eventual game-winning score late in the game.
Martin being out for an extended period of time would be a devastating blow for BYU's offense. The status of the team's leading rusher is unknown for next week's top ten battle against Notre Dame. The Cougars hope to have him back in the lineup, but also aren't going to push him back into play too quickly.
Martin has 344 yards and three touchdowns so far this season. This puts him at ninth overall in the Big 12 after only playing a few snaps last week. He has 2,885 yards and 26 touchdowns over the course of his career at BYU. If Martin is unavailable for Notre Dame, expect the Cougars to deploy a running back rotation with Preston Rex, Journee Tonga and Devaughn Eka.
The other major injury for the Cougars was linebacker Isaiah Glasker, who also left the game early against TCU. He was said to be doubtful at the beginning of the week, but has since been downgraded to out, according to the Big 12 availability report released on Tuesday.
Glasker had two interceptions, three sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble last season. He has 13 tackles with two QB hurries this year. Jake Clifton will slide in to replace Glasker for this week and beyond. He's expected to be out a "few weeks, according to BYU defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga. While his exact status isn't known right now, it's safe to assume he'll be out for Notre Dame.
BYU hosts Iowa State on Friday night in a Big 12 After Dark matchup (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). The Cougars then turn around and face the Irish next Saturday in a prime-time contest. The rare top 10 non-conference affair on Oct. 17 will be at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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