LJ Martin posts career night; Bachmeier breaks QB rushing TD record in 26–14 victory
CINCINNATI — The BYU Cougars handled business against a strong Cincinnati Bearcats team, earning a 26–14 victory to improve to 10–1 and set themselves up for a conference title berth with a win over UCF next week.
The Cougars punished the Bearcats on the ground as star running back LJ Martin was nearly unstoppable. He broke tackles, ran through defenders and finished with a career-high 222 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier contributed as well, completing 15 of 25 passes for 127 yards while adding 46 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. That score marked his 11th rushing touchdown of the season, breaking BYU’s single-season record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.
“We knew this was going to be a physical football game,” head coach Kalani Sitake said. “We felt that if we could stay consistent with our identity — run the ball, control the line of scrimmage and make them defend it — then we would give ourselves a chance.”
The BYU defense delivered key moments of its own. Tanner Wall snagged an interception, while Therrian Alexander III recorded four tackles and a sack as the Cougars repeatedly halted Cincinnati’s momentum.
“The defense made timely plays,” Sitake said. “I’m proud of the maturity shown by our team,” he added. “We didn’t get distracted by the environment, the crowd or the moment. We just focused on our job and executed.”
Playoffs
With BYU now having beaten six bowl-eligible teams, the question is: Will BYU move up in the CFP polls? I don’t think so. A conference championship appears to be the only path in for the Cougars.
Up Next
BYU returns to Provo to face UCF on Saturday night, Nov. 29.
The Hive Sports 
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