Help could be on the way in BYU’s depleted running backs room.
After practice Tuesday night, BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said sophomore RB Sione Moa has been cleared to play against Notre Dame on Saturday (5:30 p.m. MDT, ABC) and practiced fully for the first time since early September.
Moa sustained a knee injury in the first quarter of BYU’s opener, an eventual 63-7 win over Utah Tech, and has not played since. Listed as BYU’s RB2 at the time of the injury, Moa had surgery to repair a torn MCL and PCL in his knee.
“We just want to make sure we’re doing the right thing by him. And if he’s ready to go, he’ll play. And if he’s not, then we’ll wait another week.”
BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick on running back Sione Moa
Still, Roderick added, it is not a done deal that the 5-foot-10, 220-pounder from Victorville, California, will play. The No. 8 Cougars (5-0) have been without their top three running backs from the 2025 season, as Jovesa Damuni sustained a season-ending knee injury in spring camp and LJ Martin suffered a lower leg injury in the 17-10 win over TCU and did not play in last week’s 24-10 win over Iowa State.
“You know, this is going to be a fast, violent game, and we’re still evaluating whether or not we think he’s ready for that,” Roderick said. “So we’re going to let him practice a couple more days and figure that out. … He’s been out a while. So I just want to see him (handle it).
“We have an obligation to him, though. He’s a really good player. I mean, you guys have seen him play,” Roderick continued. “He can really help our team when he’s right. We just want to make sure we’re doing the right thing by him. And if he’s ready to go, he’ll play. And if he’s not, then we’ll wait another week.”
Next week, BYU plays at UCF, which has a bye this week.
With Martin watching from the sidelines with his right foot resting on a knee scooter, BYU’s primary running backs against Iowa State were junior Preston Rex and freshman Journee Tonga. After the game, head coach Kalani Sitake said another freshman, Devaughn Eka, could also see his carries increased.
Tuesday, Roderick said whether Moa plays or not, the Cougars will still have to use a lot of RBs against Notre Dame’s defense.
“Just like you saw last game, it’s going to be by committee. Those guys are doing a good job. They’re young, and they’re getting better every game,” Roderick said. “Preston’s doing a good job. We trust those guys. It’s just (that) none of them are ready to play the whole 60 snaps like LJ might.”
