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PROVO — Wyoming will be without its top running back for a third consecutive game when the Cowboys renew an old Mountain West rivalry Saturday against BYU (7 p.m. MDT, CBS Sports Network) — and BYU may be without their top two ball carriers.
Both LJ Martin and Hinckley Folau Ropati left Friday night's 18-15 win over SMU early with injuries, and their status for the week has been shifted to "doubtful," BYU head coach Kalani Sitake said during Monday's weekly videoconference with local reporters.
"That happens. We'll have to deal with some of the adjustments," Sitake said. "We still have to evaluate it some more, but that's the way it's looking. The good news is, no one's out for the year, which is good. But it might take some time to get some of those guys back."
Sitake added that the Cougars will submit further medical evaluations "in the next 24 hours" to determine the readiness of Martin and Ropati.
Martin left the game in the second quarter of Friday night's win with an apparent ankle injury, though he tried to find his footing with a heavy tape cast and "spat" over his ankle after returning to the sideline.
The sophomore finished with five carries for 20 yards, and Ropati added 33 yards on eight carries but exited himself with an injury in the second half.
That opened the door for Miles Davis, who led the Cougars with 39 yards on three carries Friday night; and Enoch Nawahine, the former Utah State transfer who had 17 yards on four carries — including the go-ahead, 9-yard touchdown on fourth down late in the third quarter.
Each of Martin, Ropati, Davis and Nawahine are listed on the team's depth chart at running back, with the traditional "or" designation in place of a standalone starter.
Sitake added that freshman Pokaiaua Haunga and returned missionary freshman Sione I. Moa could also be in the rotation, assuming Martin and Ropati are unable to go against the Cowboys.
Ironically, it was Davis who broke out the last time BYU played Wyoming, when the speedster from Las Vegas ran for 131 yards on 13 carries in a 38-24 win over the Cowboys at LaVell Edwards Stadium two years ago.
Wyoming (0-2) will likely be without last year's leading rusher Harrison Waylee, who ran for 947 yards and five touchdowns before undergoing knee surgery last month. Head coach Jay Sawvel said it would keep him out for an unspecified period of time (but is not expected to be season-ending), per 7220 Sports.
"The extent of what needed to be done was on the side that we could have hoped for the most," said Sawvel, the Cowboys' first-year head coach who was a defensive coordinator at Minnesota and Wake Forest, among other stops. "So, you know, we're optimistic about his return."
The Cougars are optimistic for the return of their top two ball carriers, as well. But for now, they're preparing to go with a running back group that has been deeper than many expected after not opting to add a tail back from the transfer portal following Aidan Robbins' departure for the NFL.
"Miles brings a lot of experience, and Enoch has played a lot of games for us on special teams," Sitake said. "Those guys will do a great job for us in the running back group. We talked about the depth that is going to be testing the running back room, and hopefully we get better news with the recovery from both the backs. But we'll have to wait and see what today says."
Sitake added that cornerback Mory Bamba, who has been on the mend since the first week of the season, is on track to return soon — and "hopefully" against the Cowboys, the coach added.
"I'm still not counting on Hinckley and LJ being out (for an extended period)," Sitake said. "But we have to be real, and be honest about it. The fortunate thing is they aren't out for the season, but doubtful is kind of where we're at right now.
"If they happen to be able to come back and play this week, that's an added bonus. … They want us to be at our best, which means we have to get our guys ready."
