The Cougars will head to Arlington to play for a Big 12 title and a playoff berth next week.
(Tyler Tate | AP) BYU running back LJ Martin, center, runs the ball into the end zone against UCF on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Provo, Utah.
Provo • It took longer than expected, but BYU eventually breezed past UCF to finish its first 11-win regular season since 2001.
Behind star running back LJ Martin’s three touchdowns and 130 yards, the Cougars beat the Knights 41-21 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
No. 11 BYU will now head to Arlington to play for the Big 12 title — where its College Football Playoff fate will likely be decided.
But it wouldn’t be a BYU game without the Cougars facing an early deficit.
For the fourth time this season, head coach Kalani Sitake’s group was down 14 points. This time, BYU allowed touchdown drives of 75 and 52 yards to open the game.
The Knights punished BYU’s pressure as quarterback Tayven Jackson escaped would-be sacks. Jackson finished with 232 yards and two touchdowns.
But any upset hopes were short-lived as BYU countered with 31 unanswered points.
Most of BYU’s production came from Martin in the run and receiving game. He tallied 27 touches and punched in three touchdown drives in the second and third quarters to extend BYU’s lead.
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier was an efficient complement to Martin. He went 21-of-25 passing for 289 yards.
Parker Kingston and Carsen Ryan were his favorite targets without Chase Roberts available. Kingston had six catches for 126 yards and a touchdown. He added a punt return touchdown in the third quarter that gave BYU a commanding 17-point lead. Ryan added five catches for 85 yards.
Even a double-digit win likely won’t affect BYU’s standing in the playoff picture.
No team on the playoff bubble lost this week. And a win over a five-win UCF program likely won’t sway the committee to bump the Cougars ahead of anyone.
BYU will play No. 5 Texas Tech next week in Arlington at 11 a.m.
This is Kalani Sitake’s second straight regular season with at least 10 wins. BYU’s 22 wins over the last two years are the most in the Big 12 conference.