BIG SECOND QUARTER NOT ENOUGH AS SKYHAWKS DROP HEARTBREAKER TO EKU 35-34

Saturday, October 13

Martin, Tenn.

2 p.m.

UT Martin

1-5 , 1-2

Eastern Kentucky

3-3 , 2-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Eastern Kentucky

UT Martin

BIG SECOND QUARTER NOT ENOUGH AS SKYHAWKS DROP HEARTBREAKER TO EKU 35-34

10/13/2018 7:20:00 PM | Football

Box Score Boxscore Final Book Photo Gallery Postgame Press Conference

MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin football team rallied in the first half to score 24 unanswered points heading into halftime but could not hold off visiting Eastern Kentucky down the stretch, dropping a heartbreaker 35-34.

The Skyhawks (1-5, 1-2 OVC) dropped their second straight Ohio Valley Conference matchup by single digits, falling by the narrowest of margins of just one point against the Colonels. After facing a deficit as large as 14 points late in the first quarter, UT Martin scored 24 unanswered points in the second to take a 34-21 advantage into the half. Despite the big quarter, a field goal would prove to be the only scoring the Skyhawks would find in the second half while Eastern Kentucky tallied a pair of touchdowns – including the eventual game-winning with 13:01 to play in the fourth – to secure the 35-34 road victory.

Senior running back LaDarius Galloway posted a strong afternoon, notching his second career multi-touchdown performance. Galloway tallied 12 carries for 63 yards and a pair of touchdowns – including scores of 23 and 6 yards out.

In the passing game, sophomore quarterback Dresser Winn completed 17-of-27 pass attempts for 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns. While he completed touchdown strikes of eight and 46 yards, a pair of interceptions on the day proved to be costly as well. Junior receiver Terry Williams tallied seven receptions for 80 yards while Devonte Howard (eight yards) and Christian Philpott (46 yards) notched big touchdown receptions in the contest.

Wrapping up the day's scoring was sophomore place kicker Ryan Courtright who tallied a pair of field goals while converting on the team's four point after attempts. Courtright tallied field goals of 42 and 39 yards in the contest – remaining perfect on the season in field goal tries.

Defensively, the quartet of DaVonte Maura, Porter Streator III, Sherrod Pittman and TJ Jefferson tallied nine tackles each to pace the squad. Another solid performer was Brandon Anderson who tallied six tackles along with an interception – which included a 78-yard return – and a forced fumble. Senior Andrew Horton-Martindale also notched an interception which he returned 21 yards.

"It was a hard fought game, it really was," UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said. "As heartbreaking as it was, we played without two of our starting linebackers while losing the third during the game. With all of the injuries today, we still fought real hard. We did some good things offensively, but we turned the ball over too many times and you can't win that way. You can feel bad after a game, but when you turn the ball over five times – including twice on special teams – you can't do those things in conference games and expect to win."

Eastern Kentucky (3-3, 2-1 OVC) returned to its winning ways behind the strong play of its rushing attack. LJ Scott paced the squad with 25 carries for 106 yards while Darly McCleskey Jr. notched 21 carries for 74 yards and two touchdowns – with most of that damage coming in the second half. On the other side of the ball, Gavin Bryant paced the team with 11 tackles, a sack and a 43-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

UT Martin will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 20 when traveling to Eastern Illinois. Kickoff from O'Brien Field is scheduled for 2 p.m. and serves as the OVC ESPN3 Game of the Week.