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The most important player in BYU's backfield this fall is not LJ Martin, it's not Bear
0:46
Bachmeyer, it's Cionne Moa.
0:55
You are Lockdown Cougars, your daily podcast on the BYU Cougars, part of the Lockdown Podcast
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Coming up on today's show, we're going to dig into BYU's running back position.
1:25
We'll talk about future pieces, guys who are going to have a role this season, but obviously
1:29
auditioning for future roles, then we'll catch up with LJ Martin, the guy who could end
1:34
up being BYU's all-time leading rusher.
1:37
He explains exactly what he worked on this spring without actually being on the field during
1:41
spring camp, but we start today talking about the most important player in BYU's backfield
1:46
and that is Cione Moa.
1:48
The reason why I believe that Cione Moa is the most important piece for BYU's continued
1:52
success this season is we all saw last year that when BYU had guys like LJ Martin or Bear
1:58
Bachmeier get dinged up, BYU's offense flatline, it really struggled without those two
2:06
The problem for BYU's season ago is they did not have adequate replacements that could
2:11
step up into that role or those roles and make sure that BYU's offense didn't taper
2:17
off and didn't flatline like I just mentioned.
2:21
Cione Moa played early on last year and then had compartment syndrome in his thigh in the
2:26
aftermath of the East Carolina game.
2:29
He fought his way back to get back on the field in time for BYU's appearance in the Big
2:34
He went out there and played exactly one play got re-injured and never retook the field.
2:39
If you paid attention during spring ball this year, it was not LJ Martin out there taking
2:45
There were obviously reps for young players like Devon, Ekka, Preston, Rex, other players
2:49
that will discuss here in just a little bit, but the lead guy on the field this spring
2:55
was none other than Cione Moa.
2:57
The reason why is because as Aaron Roderick pointed out multiple times during spring, BYU
3:02
needs an adequate if not stand out Robin to LJ Martin's Batman and they have pegged
3:09
their hopes and everything that I took away from spring ball is that the guy they expect
3:13
to be that is none other than Moa.
3:17
The reason why is because he has undeniable physical gifts, he has the ability to break
3:22
He is a like for like replacement in so many different ways to what LJ Martin is and
3:26
that allows BYU's offense to not skip a beat when he's out there on the field.
3:30
I completely get why they have pegged their hopes on this guy being the one B to the
3:37
one A that is LJ Martin and the reason why is because he when he's on the field is
3:42
super effective, but you heard the caveat I just mentioned in there when he's on the field.
3:47
That has got to be the biggest thing that Cione Moa has to overcome this fall.
3:51
He's got to be on the field.
3:52
He's got to be available.
3:53
I am very fond of using the phrase the best ability is availability and I reiterate that
3:59
here because when Cione Moa is available to play for BYU, he is absolutely awesome, but
4:04
it's been too far and too few between appearances for him during his time as a BYU Cougar.
4:10
I sincerely hope everything that we saw in spring camp, the fact that he's battled
4:14
back has been declared 100% healthy from that compartment syndrome and ankle injury in
4:18
the big 12 championship game and the like is that he this season will finally be on the
4:24
field and available when called upon by BYU's coaches.
4:28
I'm not going to try and explain to you that there's going to be this many reps for
4:34
guy like Cione Moa, but understand that while LJ Martin is the bell cow, he is the number
4:39
one guy without a doubt for the BYU football program and we'll talk more about what I believe
4:45
he's he'll be able to accomplish this coming fall momentarily.
4:49
He needs to have somebody in those instances, he needs a blow or heaven forbid does absorb
4:54
an injury like he absorbed against Iowa State that can step up into that role and allow BYU's
5:00
offense, like I said, not to skip a beat, it can keep doing what it's doing.
5:05
We saw in the aftermath of that Iowa State game, yes, that bear Bachmeier Scholdler to
5:08
hold a lot of the load against the cyclones, but when BYU traveled for that all important
5:14
game in love against Texas Tech without LJ Martin and I know that LJ tried to play through
5:19
it, but was rendered ineffective early on in that game.
5:23
Never was able to get their offense to working to any meaningful capacity in that game.
5:31
The outcome of that game, I think jaded a lot of the voters when it comes to the college
5:37
for a playoff committee, a lot of the national talking heads when it comes to kind of fermenting
5:42
the national narrative around BYU, that loss.
5:46
I think did more damage to BYU's playoff bid than 12 other wins did to help it.
5:52
It's unfortunate to be able to have to say that, but isn't it obvious that that's played
5:58
that's what played into this.
6:00
I am of the opinion that if Cione Moa can stay healthy this year, he is going to have
6:06
a marvelous year and that may end up with what 400 yards total, but his role is he is
6:13
to be the compliment.
6:15
He's supposed to be the Robin to LJ's Batman.
6:17
We are all hoping that LJ Martin goes out and becomes BYU's all time leading Russia.
6:21
He is 1347 yards short of that mark.
6:26
If he does what he did a season ago, he had 1,301 yards if I recall correctly.
6:30
He will leave BYU as their all time leading Russia.
6:33
But once again, he's shouldered so much of that workload and the injury that he absorbed
6:38
against Iowa State, I was told by multiple people in and around the BYU football program
6:42
that a lesser man would have called it a day on that season, had surgery and said, Hey,
6:50
BYU is lucky to have guys like LJ Martin who put on for their team.
6:53
And yes, he responded in very emphatic fashion down the stretch, notwithstanding the ineffectiveness
6:59
against Texas Tech, but BYU needs a better compliment running back system to just relying
7:06
on, Hey, there's number four LJ Martin.
7:09
He's what we've got.
7:10
That's where Sionimoa has to answer the bell.
7:13
And there will be other opportunities for other players.
7:15
We'll talk about other guys in this running back position here a little bit later on in
7:18
today's podcast that should a guy like Sionimoa should the fall, follow the formula.
7:24
It's followed for him the last couple of years where he has had very effective moments,
7:28
but then has picked up an injury that has knocked him out for significant periods of
7:33
Well, then you have to find somebody else.
7:34
And that could be a Devon Ekka.
7:36
That could be a mykebeck stead, Preston Rex, heck, even a Logan pain.
7:40
And we'll, I'll explain a little bit more about my belief in any one of those individual
7:44
players here in just a little bit.
7:46
But I think all circles back here to the focus needing to be that Sionimoa need you.
7:53
Need you on the field as often if not every game this fall, because if that happens, BYU
8:00
is going to have a fighting chance in every game this year.
8:03
For schedule, it sets up I think for 10 wins, very easily, if a guy stay healthy, L.J.
8:08
Martin, Bear Bachmeyer, etc.
8:10
But you need to have other complimentary pieces that are on the field and available.
8:15
And that's why I think Sionimoa factors in, as I said, as the most important backfield
8:21
player, BYU has this year.
8:24
And he doesn't get the laurels that he gets, probably if L.J. and Bear go out and have
8:30
the heroic type seasons we all expect from them, but a very, very important role that
8:36
a guy Xionimoa will fill for the BYU football program.
8:40
I have talked a little bit about L.J. Martin, what he could accomplish, what he could leave
8:44
Well, what is he looking to do?
8:47
And what did he use from his time during spring camp to improve his overall skill set?
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So, L.J. Martin, I believe if he, everything goes according to plan this fall, we'll have
10:30
accomplished something that no other BYU running back will have accomplished.
10:34
That is leaving Braiming University as their all-time leading rusher in program history.
10:39
Now, there have been some pretty illustrious names that have held that title.
10:44
Guys like Harvey Unga, guys like Jamal Williams, Tyler Algier.
10:48
We have seen some of the best running backs if you are of a certain age.
10:52
In the last 20 or so years that we have ever seen in BYU history.
10:56
And yes, I understand that during the 70s and 80s, they were a pass happy offense.
11:00
And guys like Lake, Himule, etc. were standing out running backs, but we didn't get the
11:05
due recognition they were probably deserved during some of those eras.
11:10
But this recent era for BYU, we've seen some of the all-timers are running back.
11:14
And L.J. Martin can be the crown among all of them.
11:18
He can be the crown king, I guess you want to call it, of all BYU running backs.
11:22
If he goes out and has the same type of season that he had a season to go and oh by the way,
11:26
oh yes, he is the reigning offensive player of the year in the Big 12 conference.
11:30
He was recognized as the best offensive force the Big 12 had.
11:35
And yes, he has got everything within his skill set to become I think a top tier NFL draft
11:43
Cam Miller from Profitball Focus and I think it's college football network, if I recall correctly.
11:48
He was on BYU sports nation and he believes that L.J. Martin can become a first round type
11:54
Now, that would require I think some pretty special stuff this year, but L.J. has every
12:00
And if you listen to Lance Anderson, by the way, head coach of Utah Tech, who we had on
12:04
the show yesterday, talking about BYU season opener, he recruited L.J. to Stanford before
12:09
the David Shaw step down and obviously L.J. pivoted from Stanford to BYU and he said,
12:14
hey, we thought we found a gym and I'll pass on BYU, he's blossomed into that.
12:18
That's a guy who saw what L.J. had in him years and years ago.
12:22
And as you mentioned, L.J. is blossomed into a top tier power for running back.
12:27
Stanford would have loved to have had him obviously and BYU's benefited with having L.J.
12:33
And yes, he has the capability of becoming a top tier NFL draft type prospect, but he's
12:38
got to put it all together this year.
12:39
He's got to have another healthy year because that was kind of the big question or caution
12:44
mark about him coming into last season as he had had two seasons where he had been BYU's
12:49
best running back, but it'd be knocked out due to injury.
12:52
He had a fairly healthy season last year and I know notwithstanding that shoulder injury,
12:55
he played through it and showed I think some extreme toughness to NFL teams.
12:59
When they learned about the extent of the injury that he endured last season, that's
13:04
going to put some more gold stars in his ledger for some of these teams because he put on
13:08
first team when he really didn't have to and when he maybe shouldn't have in some circumstances.
13:13
That is all all stuff that's going to help him as he moves on to the next level, but
13:17
he did not participate in spring ball because he had off season shoulder surgery.
13:21
He did not play in the pop tarts bowl because he had that surgery and he wanted to make
13:24
sure that he was going to be back and fully ready by the time this coming season was about
13:30
Well, I had a chance to catch up with him as BYU spring camp wrapped up and we had
13:34
a great chat about what he took away from spring, what spring and back to BYU when he easily
13:40
could have left after last season for the NFL and a whole lot more.
13:44
So here you go, L.J. Martin in his own words about what he has left to accomplish at BYU,
13:48
what he hopes to show this season and why he's back for another year in a Cougar uniform.
13:54
You obviously didn't participate in spring, you took out more of a coaching role, did you
13:57
enjoy that experience?
13:59
I mean, it was a little bit interesting, you know, just being out there, just watching
14:05
and trying to coach the younger guys up, but it was fun.
14:08
I enjoyed it and yeah, I'm ready for that part to be over and get him back to playing.
14:13
Okay, I'm going to ask you, how seriously did you consider not coming back?
14:17
Yeah, I consider it very seriously, I mean, it's been my lifelong dream to go to the NFL,
14:23
you know, playing the NFL, get drafted, but just having the opportunity to get drafted
14:28
and get drafted at a higher position because you know, when you think of getting drafted,
14:32
the emphasis growing up, you know, sitting in the green room and stuff like that.
14:36
So just, you know, just kind of just sitting back and just trying to get myself another
14:41
opportunity to do that.
14:42
I mean, whether it happens or not, you know, I feel like just coming back, it will make
14:49
Do you have a goal of becoming the leading Russia and be waiting for ball history?
14:53
Um, I mean, I just want to be able to do whatever I can with my touches.
14:57
I mean, I want to, hopefully I get whatever, like 15 touches and they're all 99, I know
15:04
I'll touch down the line.
15:05
It's done like that, you know, but I mean, at the end of the day, I mean, it would be great
15:09
to have, but that's not the, that's not the reason I came back.
15:11
He's more just to come back and be with my guys while last time and go out there and
15:16
What's it been like playing with the guy like, Bear?
15:18
Um, it's been great.
15:19
I mean, just fun to be around.
15:20
It's a pretty silly dude, so like, he's just fun to be around, so yeah, hello.
15:25
What's he like off the field?
15:27
Yeah, he's like, silly, but like, what's he really like?
15:31
I mean, he likes to play the guitar, like, I don't know, like, there's just one night
15:38
He's just playing the guitar and you just seem getting it, you know, you're just laughing
15:41
because it's like starting quarterbacking.
15:44
You know, like, he's just out here, like singing songs, like, keep writing songs and stuff
15:48
He's just funny to me.
15:49
And then, sometimes like, we went to McElbees and, hey, all you could do is French toast,
15:53
pancakes with Bruce and Kyle and Tiger and I think it was Tracing, he was like six
15:59
Joe S might have been there too, but yeah, we were just eating pancakes.
16:03
We were trying to eat as much as we could and put them out of business pretty much and
16:10
That, okay, that's fun to hear, that's, what's the team dynamic like right now?
16:15
What do you feel about the vibe of this team right now?
16:17
No, yeah, I feel like we're all pretty together, we're all the line on the same goal and I think
16:21
we have, we all believe that we have something to do pretty special, something pretty special
16:26
here and you just want to go out there and play, I think a lot of us are excited for
16:31
the season and we can't wait till we play.
16:34
How much of that goes to losing to Texas Tech twice and being right there on the door
16:38
Yeah, that definitely hurts, but I mean, the thing is that we're all competitors, so that's
16:45
You know, to go out there and compete like we did, I think we're all happy with how we
16:50
competed, but we weren't happy with the result if that makes sense.
16:54
So we just want to go out there and go out there and compete again and just continue
16:59
just to try to be our best and whatever happens happens.
17:02
Okay, I got two more for you real quick.
17:03
Why do you wear the number that you wear?
17:08
I wear number four because of Skyler main, he wore number four in high school and he was
17:11
my favorite player.
17:12
Okay, I can respect that, I know the thing, I'm just, I'm just mess with you.
17:18
We were just talking about this earlier today, actually, but my high school coach, so I got
17:23
moved out the bar city and, yeah, you guys are freshmen and he just gave me number four,
17:28
so ever since then.
17:29
His head is a number.
17:30
Yeah, he just gave me number four and I was like, all right, cool, so that I just stuck
17:34
And ever since then, it just kind of stuck on.
17:37
We're almost Skyler main on this other story.
17:39
Yeah, basically of Skyler main.
17:40
It's much more fun.
17:42
Last thing for me, what should be what you experience been like overall as you approach
17:46
your final season in a coup?
17:47
Yeah, it's been great.
17:48
I mean, it's been fun out here.
17:51
I wouldn't, I wouldn't do anything any different.
17:54
I mean, I'm glad I came here out of high school.
17:55
I'm, I'm great for everything has been so far and it's just been real fun just to come
18:00
out here and live in Provo, just be out here, BYU and just have fun.
18:07
Big thank you to LJ Martin for taking the time to join us here on the podcast and big
18:10
thank you to BYU Sports Information for arranging said interview as always.
18:14
They're fantastic about what they do and here's hoping that LJ goes out and has the type
18:19
of senior campaign that he believes he's capable of having and let's hope he along with
18:24
his teammates can accomplish everything they hope to accomplish in a Cougar uniform because
18:28
they have been on the doorstep of making the college football playoff the last two years.
18:31
Yes, they want to win a big 12 title along the way if it all possible and we'll see how
18:36
it all plays out, but it does not take anything away individually from what LJ is capable
18:40
of accomplishing and that is becoming the best running back in BYU football history.
18:44
And I would have no problem saying that if he does indeed set the mark and I would actually
18:48
argue, even if he doesn't go over 1,347 yards this year, he's absolutely in the mix for
18:54
being the best running back in BYU football history, even without that mark.
18:58
Now you get that mark and it's undisputed.
19:00
You have the title, you have the rushing title, but I think LJ he has been everything BYU
19:06
could have hoped for and I don't think we're necessarily going to understand how much
19:10
he meant to BYU football until after he leaves the BYU football program, I had personal
19:15
opinion on that front, but I'm looking forward to what should be an exciting senior season
19:20
for LJ and I hope he goes out there and puts on a show for all of us out here in Cougar
19:26
Alright, coming up next, who are the other names to know in the running back room and
19:30
let's say if Cione Moa does get injured again or LG Martin heaven forbid something happens
19:34
to him, who are the other names you're going to want to know as a Cougar fan that could
19:38
step up and play pivotal roles this fall will explain next.
19:42
Thank you once again for making locked on Cougars your first listen of the day we're
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20:02
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I think north of 70 so thank you for all your support.
20:10
You guys are absolutely marvelous in supporting this show on a daily basis, you guys are the
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I tell people all the time Cougar nation is unmatched and it's passion, it's fervor and
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it's just overall love for all things BYU.
20:23
Alright, so we've talked about us Cione Moa, we've talked about LJ Martin, we've heard
20:27
from LJ Martin, but if something happens to one or both of those gentlemen, what is
20:33
going to happen for BYU at running back?
20:35
Well, I think BYU fans, you have pinned a lot of your hopes on an early and rollly by
20:39
the name of Devon Ekka and for good reason.
20:42
Devon Ekka is a product of Lehigh high school and I have had that opportunity over the last
20:46
couple of years to watch him play for the Lehigh pioneers and I have seen every skill that
20:52
I needed to see out of a young man like that to think, okay, that guy can be a difference
20:55
maker at the next level and the hope is is that while you hope you don't have to call
21:00
upon him that much this fall, that he's capable of stepping up.
21:05
If he was available, speaking of Jovesa Damuni, Jovesa probably has the role I'm talking
21:10
about here, but Jovesa tore his ACL during spring ball and he will miss the upcoming season
21:14
if not a large chunk of it.
21:16
ACL injuries, we've seen something guys come back as quick as six months, but usually
21:20
it's kind of a full year, especially in the case of running back, we were trying to
21:23
cut and move with that knee.
21:25
We'll see what happens and best wishes to Jovesa because his skill set stands in start
21:29
contrast to a lot of the other backs on BYU's roster and you would have liked to have
21:33
But I think that's where I got like Devon Eka steps into that role where Devon maybe
21:37
isn't necessarily the full on power back, maybe isn't the full weight you wanted to play
21:43
out yet at the college level, but what he's got is pure unadulterated speed and really
21:48
a nice lateral ability.
21:49
He also shows some pretty good hands out of the backfield and that's a very key component
21:54
in BYU's offense under and Roderick is the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
21:58
So I think that in the absence of Jovesa Demune gets to know the name Devon Eka.
22:03
When surprised me that if somebody in front of him gets injured this year, Devon could put
22:09
a stake on the claim to being the guy.
22:12
The next guy I should say for BYU's running back position in 2027 and beyond and that
22:19
Like I said, he was an absolutely electric type player at Lehigh High School, but there
22:23
are other guys who are going to want to make their own name for themselves.
22:28
One of them is Preston Rex.
22:29
Now Preston is kind of in a do everything player for BYU during his career.
22:33
Originally committed to BYU as an athlete, was tried out at safety early on in his career.
22:38
Didn't necessarily fit and was kind of surpassed by other guys on the defensive side of the
22:42
football and then made a change to running back.
22:44
Now, he was a receiver growing up and he has brought some of that receiver mentality,
22:49
the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, but he's been honing his craft on becoming
22:53
the best version of a running back he possibly can be.
22:58
The hope is that if Preston is called upon this season, we start to see more of that
23:02
natural instinct in terms of running back instincts take hold in him.
23:08
A lot of guys who are born and bred running backs have this natural ability and that's
23:13
not what Preston has had growing up.
23:15
I can say he played wide receiver, kind of do everything player in high school and it's
23:20
But what he's tried to do is he's tried to put his own stamp on BYU with his own style
23:26
There have been moments and flashes of brilliance from Preston and the hope is that those
23:31
continue to become bigger and brighter and more consistent.
23:33
If they do, yeah, he'll find himself on the field more often than you might think because
23:37
he's got a really, really nice ability and I think he's capable of contributing.
23:41
The other two names I want to mention here include Logan Payne.
23:45
Now that last name should sound familiar because his dad is a certain guy by the name of
23:49
Mitch Payne who brought the pain even though he was a kicker for BYU back in the day.
23:53
His uncle is Mitch, obviously Mitch Payne, but Logan 5, 10, 210 pounds and he runs like
23:59
he's four inches taller and 30 pounds heavier.
24:02
He is just an absolute wrecking ball when he's got the ball in his hands and Logan, I don't
24:08
know what it's going to take to kind of find his way onto the field, but I hope he gets
24:11
an opportunity because Logan has got a really, really nice skill set that I think BYU
24:16
can take advantage of, but he's going to have to overcome other guys on this depth chart
24:21
who are going to be slated in front of him, but do not forget about Logan Payne because
24:25
I think in short, yardage situations, last year BYU relied on guys like Eneknawahine.
24:31
I think so and I'm not saying, so I'm all can do it.
24:34
I think Logan Payne could fill that role in a pinch for BYU.
24:37
The other name to know is Micah Beck's dad.
24:39
Now Micah Beck's dad is a guy that originally committed elsewhere.
24:43
Now he committed to Utah State if I recall correctly, but after a mission for the Church
24:46
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he's decided to come close to home and he's a
24:50
Timvue product and play for BYU.
24:53
And at 510, 238 pounds, he brings the thunder.
24:57
240 pound running backs on a 5 foot 10 frame.
25:00
Yeah, I talked about the fact that Logan Payne runs bigger than he's listed at 510 to
25:05
Well, Micah Beck's dad is kind of what I envision when I see a guy like Logan Payne run.
25:09
Now Beck's dad is obviously got to get the mission rest off of those legs, but what he
25:14
proved in high school was to be a very durable, if not effective, outright effective option
25:21
And the hope is that Beck's dad, as he gets better and better in terms of like getting
25:24
himself back into shape and the like, yeah, you're going to see more and more from him during
25:30
The nice part is he alongside guys like Devon Ek, Logan Payne to a smaller level, have
25:35
time on their side.
25:36
Micah Beck's dad, Devon Ek are both freshmen.
25:39
So they have got three and four years in front of them to make an impact on the BYU football
25:44
Preston Rex and Logan Payne.
25:45
Preston, if I'm not mistaken, let's see.
25:48
He'll be a senior this year.
25:49
He was a junior last year.
25:50
So he's only got the one season, Logan Payne is a red shirt freshman.
25:53
So he's also got some time on his side.
25:55
You hope is out of that kind of this core of guys that are there, the next guy emerges
26:01
Now, am I going to expect that BYU won't be using the portal or the high school ranks.
26:07
So there are some guys as are Santa Levy already committed to BYU.
26:10
No, they're going to continue to recruit this position heavily and Harvey Lunga is always
26:15
on the lookout for the next great BYU running back because he was one of them.
26:18
He knows what it takes to be the lead guy in that backfield and he wants to find that
26:24
Is it as are Santa Levy?
26:25
Is it going to be Devon Eka?
26:26
Well, the future of the BYU running back position could start to see glimpses of what
26:30
we are going to see unfold in 2027.
26:33
Maybe 2027 is the year that's soon and more finally gets his chance to shine, not being
26:39
in the shadow of L.J. Martin.
26:40
But there's a lot of other young players on BYU's roster who are going to have a lot
26:44
to say about the future success of BYU from the running back position and a nice chunk
26:50
of them are already on this roster.
26:53
That's what I got for you guys on this Friday.
26:55
As always, thank you for your continued support of the show.
27:01
We have already made it to me.
27:02
The season is quickly approaching, not quickly enough for my liking.
27:06
But any of you know, I'm not a guy that's very patient when it comes to college football,
27:10
which it lasted a lot longer than it actually does.
27:13
But thank you as always for your continued support of the show.
27:16
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27:17
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27:20
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27:24
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27:27
Maybe we have the center committed by then.
27:30
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27:34
we reconvene on Monday.
27:35
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