Notre Dame faces a significant advantage as BYU takes the field without star running back LJ Martin, thrusting Preston Rex into the spotlight as the fill-in starter.
Notre Dame faces a significant advantage as BYU takes the field without star running back LJ Martin, thrusting Preston Rex into the spotlight as the fill-in starter. Can Rex—who enters the matchup with just 115 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries—make an impact against the nation’s top-ranked defense? The ground game challenge is real, but the focus shifts to whether BYU can adapt and stay competitive.
The discussion explores Rex’s potential role beyond rushing yards, highlighting his value in pass protection and as a checkdown option for quarterback Bear Bachmeier. Notre Dame’s stout defensive front, with names like Troy Aikman, presents a major test. Will BYU’s offense find success by becoming one-dimensional, or can creative play-calling and Rex’s versatility offset the absence of their lead rusher? The stakes are high, and every snap counts in Provo.