BYU running back LJ Martin (4) celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown during the first half of the game against the UCF Knights at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret NewsJackson PayneSat, November 29, 2025 at 9:36 PM UTC·11 min readBYU ends the regular season with a convincing win.
The Cougars overcame a slow start once again to punish UCF by a 41-21 margin on Saturday, moving to 11-1 on the year and heading to the Big 12 championship game a week from now.
3 takeaways
The Cougars clawed out of an early hole. The 11 a.m. local kickoff time had BYU sleepwalking early, as UCF’s final fight for bowl eligibility resulted in touchdowns on the Knights’ first two drives of the game.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut once the Cougars woke up, they were nearly impossible to stop — the only drives they didn’t score on outside of an initial three and out and late garbage time were due to a pair of missed field goals.
BYU responded to the early 14-0 deficit with 31 unanswered points. After allowing a third UCF touchdown in the third quarter, the Cougars scored another 10 points to wrap up the blowout.
Bear Bachmeier completed 21 of 25 passes for 289 yards and a touchdown, leading BYU to rack up 407 total yards of offense.
After surrendering 127 yards on UCF’s first two possessions, the Cougars held the Knights to just 169 yards the rest of the game. As a whole, BYU held UCF to just 2.2 yards per carry while getting two sacks and two takeaways.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLJ Martin had another career outing. Last week, Martin carried the Cougars to a gutsy road win at Cincinnati with a personal-best 222 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
On Saturday, Martin continued his recent hot streak with a hat trick.
BYU’s talented tailback scored three touchdowns against UCF, coupling the trio of end zone trips with 95 rushing yards and another 35 yards as a receiver.
Through 12 games, Martin has run 217 times for 1,229 yards and 11 touchdowns at an average of 5.67 yards per carry.
Don’t be surprised if he ends up with Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors in a few days. Martin has more than earned such recognition in 2025, which could be his final ride with the Cougars if he chooses to head to the NFL this winter.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIf so, what a career it’s been. Martin may very well have a case to be a top five running back ever at BYU.
But Martin wasn’t the only Cougars star who had a big Saturday. Parker Kingston scored two touchdowns — one receiving, one on a punt return — as part of a career-high 181 all-purpose yards.
On defense, Jack Kelly racked up two sacks and a forced fumble, with his nine sacks the most for any BYU player in a season since 2015.
BYU protected LaVell’s house. With Saturday’s victory, the Cougars will finish the regular season 6-0 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
It’s only the second time BYU has gone undefeated at home in Kalani Sitake’s tenure, with the other occasion being the 2020 COVID-19 campaign.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRunning the table in Provo against teams such as Troy, Texas State and North Alabama is one thing. Going 6-0 at home with five Power 4 wins — including four league victories and a rivalry triumph over Utah — is a completely different universe.
Additionally, BYU ends the regular season with a 11-1 record, the best non-COVID-19 finish for the program since 1996.
The Cougars defeated six different bowl eligible teams, with four of those wins coming on the road. They boast the No. 7 strength of record mark in the country. Their only blemish has been a road loss to national title contender Texas Tech.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe College Football Playoff committee may not agree, but what Sitake’s squad has accomplished this season — with a true freshman starting quarterback, no less — has been nothing short of extraordinary.
This has truly been one of the marquee seasons in school history.
Luckily for BYU, there’s a guaranteed way to take the ball out of the Committee’s hands in regard to Playoff fate.
With a win next week in Arlington, the Cougars would clinch an automatic Playoff bid. It will be quite the uphill battle, as a rematch with the same juggernaut Red Raiders lies ahead, but BYU is no stranger to shocking the college football world under Sitake.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAnd thus, the Cougars control their own Playoff destiny.
BYU defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa (57) celebrates after a tackle during the first half of the game against the UCF Knights at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
UCF Knights tight end Dylan Wade (0) is tackled by BYU linebacker Jack Kelly (17), left, and BYU safety Tanner Wall (28), right, during the first half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
UCF Knights head coach Scott Frost argues with side judge Mark Graves during the first half of the game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) runs against the UCF Knights during the first half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
BYU defensive back Evan Johnson (0) tackles UCF Knights running back Jaden Nixon (5) during the first half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
UCF Knights quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) passes during the first half of the game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
UCF Knights wide receiver Duane Thomas Jr. (7) runs past BYU cornerback Mory Bamba (4) during the first half of the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
BYU running back LJ Martin (4) rushes for a touchdown during the first half of the game against the UCF Knights at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
BYU offensive lineman Austin Leausa (55) is helped up by trainers after sustaining an injury during the first half of the game against the UCF Knights at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
BYU running back LJ Martin (4) celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown during the first half of the game against the UCF Knights at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
UCF Knights running back Agyeman Addae (35) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of the game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
UCF Knights wide receiver Waden Charles (19) celebrates after scoring a first down during the first half of the game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
UCF Knights tight end Dylan Wade (0) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) passes the ball during an NCAA football game against the UCF Knights held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake talks with a referee during an NCAA football game against the UCF Knights held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU tight end Carsen Ryan (20) is stopped by UCF Knights defensive back Antione Jackson (7) just short of the end zone during an NCAA football game held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU students cheer during an NCAA football game against the UCF Knights held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU running back LJ Martin (4) celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown during the first half of the game against the UCF Knights at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
UCF Knights head coach Scott Frost looks to the scoreboard before a play against BYU during an NCAA football game held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU linebacker Jack Kelly (17) celebrates after the UCF Knights were downed during an NCAA football game held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU tight end Carsen Ryan (20) stiff-arms UCF Knights defensive back Demari Henderson (8) as he runs the ball up the field during an NCAA football game held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) gets up after being downed by the UCF Knights during an NCAA football game held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU defensive back Evan Johnson (0) runs with the ball after intercepting it from the UCF Knights during an NCAA football game held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) prepares to throw the ball during warm ups before an NCAA football game against the UCF Knights held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU safety Raider Damuni (3) readies himself during warm ups before an NCAA football game against the UCF Knights held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) prepares to throw the ball during warm ups before an NCAA football game against the UCF Knights held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
UCF Knights head coach Scott Frost talks with BYU head coach Kalani Sitake before the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans walk around after the Cougar Walk and before an NCAA football game against the UCF Knights held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
The BYU Cougar Marching Band performs as they lead players during the Cougar Walk before an NCAA football game against the UCF Knights held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
The Moore family from Layton, from left, Stephen, Marcus, 9, Britney, and Andrew, 12, wait to high-five players as they make their entrance during the Cougar Walk before an NCAA football game against the UCF Knights held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU wide receiver Tei Nacua (0) greets fans as he and the rest of the Cougars make their entrance during the Cougar Walk before an NCAA football game against the UCF Knights held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) high-fives fans as the Cougars make their entrance during the Cougar Walk before an NCAA football game against the UCF Knights held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake greets fans as the Cougars make their entrance during the Cougar Walk before an NCAA football game against the UCF Knights held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Fans walk around after the Cougar Walk and before an NCAA football game against the UCF Knights held at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. | Isaac Hale, Deseret NewsAdvertisementAdvertisement
