BYU is losing bodies and winning games.
That’s usually not a long-term recipe for success in college football, but the No. 23 Cougars will try to remain unbeaten on Friday night when West Virginia makes the long trip to Provo, Utah.
BYU (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) started conference play last week with a 24-21 win at Colorado but found out it’s going to be pretty thin at running back for a while.
Backup Sione Moa, who had 90 rushing yards through the first three games, sat out the contest against the Buffaloes with an undisclosed injury. Now he will be sidelined for additional time after a medical emergency forced a procedure to correct the ailment, though he is expected back before the end of the season.
LJ Martin is one of the top running backs in the Big 12, averaging 100 yards per game. But the two guys listed behind him on the depth chart — Enoch Nawahine and Preston Rex — combined for one carry at Colorado.
BYU freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier shouldered more of the rushing load, matching Martin’s 15 carries at Colorado and finishing with a game-high 98 yards on the ground. He was over 100 before taking a knee twice late to run out the clock.
Bachmeier, who has also completed 61 of 90 passes for 697 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions, doesn’t mind the extra responsibility.
“When you step between the lines,” he said, “then nothing can stop you from getting a first down.”
The Cougars’ defense would have something to say about that if Bachmeier were facing the unit in actual games. BYU is allowing only 9.3 points per game (fourth in FBS) and is permitting just 76.3 yards per game on the ground (tied for eighth).
On paper, it doesn’t look like a good matchup for the Mountaineers (2-3, 0-2), who were blown out last week by visiting Utah 48-14. Since an emotional win on Sept. 13 against archrival Pitt, West Virginia has been outscored 89-24 in consecutive conference losses.
The Mountaineers also are dealing with a spate of injuries, including one to starting quarterback Nicco Marchiol. He missed the Utes game with a foot injury, and coach Rich Rodriguez indicated Monday night on his radio show that Marchiol will remain out “a couple weeks.”
The Mountaineers tried Jaylen Henderson as the starter against Utah but he was benched by halftime. Redshirt freshman Khalil Wilkins was at least able to lead a pair of second-half touchdown drives and showed some real potential, although he is far from a finished product.
Rodriguez wasn’t tipping his hand as to his choice at quarterback.
“We’ve got a short week against a good team,” he said. “We’re not going to just sit back and say, ‘Woe is me.’ We’ve got to get back to work and come up with a plan to try and help us win.”
One way to do it is to improve on third down. West Virginia is converting only 27.1 percent of those, which ranks 131st among the 134 FBS team.
The Mountaineers have won both prior meetings of the teams, including a 37-7 decision at home two years ago.
