UT MARTIN FOOTBALL DROPS HEARTBREAKER AT NO. 10 JACKSONVILLE STATE 21-14

Saturday, November 3

Jacksonville, Ala.

1 p.m.

UT Martin

1-8 , 1-5

Jacksonville State

7-2 , 6-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UT Martin

Jacksonville State

UT MARTIN FOOTBALL DROPS HEARTBREAKER AT NO. 10 JACKSONVILLE STATE 21-14

11/3/2018 5:18:00 PM | Football

Box Score Boxscore Final Book Photo Gallery Postgame Press Conference

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The University of Tennessee at Martin football team battled Ohio Valley Conference rival No. 10 Jacksonville State throughout the contest, even taking a 14-13 lead with 1:06 to play in the contest before ultimately dropping the heartbreaking decision 21-14 in the final seconds.

The Skyhawks (1-8, 1-5 OVC) fought the nationally ranked conference foe throughout the game, outgaining the league's top offense and defense 336-314 in total offense. UT Martin's defense was exceptional throughout the day, containing Jacksonville State's high-powered offense which entered the contest averaging 43.1 points per game while forcing three turnovers.

UT Martin held the game in check for much of the contest, trailing 13-3 heading into the fourth quarter when all of the real action began. The Skyhawks would strike first in the fourth quarter on Ryan Courtright's second field goal of the day – this one from 26 yards out – to trim the margin to a single possession. Then the Skyhawks found some late game heroics as quarterback Joe Hudson found a streaking Jaylon Moore down the left side of the fied as the junior tip-toed the sideline and ran 52-yards into the endzone with 66 seconds to play in the contest.

After UT Martin saw Hudson punch the two-point conversion attempt in to take a 14-13 lead, it looked like the Skyhawks would pull off a shocking upset. While the storybook ending would have been perfect, the script flipped in the final 29 seconds as Jacksonville State tossed a 43-yard touchdown to regain the lead and seal the victory.

"The defense played outstanding and I am so proud of our team," UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said. "They prepared all week and they played, they played and they played. We have nothing to be ashamed of. We will come back on Monday and get ready to play."

Hudson led the Skyhawk offense in his second career start, completing 20-of-31 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown. Along with his passing ability through the air, Hudson tallied 13 carries for 60 yards to stretch out key drives down the stretch. His top receiver came in the form of Moore who tallied five receptions for 123 yards and the big touchdown – his sixth of the season.

Courtright did the scoring early for the Skyhawks, tallying field goals from 32 and 26 yards, respectively. His lone miss of the afternoon came on a 45-yard attempt in the second quarter.

Defensively, the Skyhawks were paced by senior linebacker James Gilleylen with 14 tackles – including seven solos stops. Meanwhile, junior TJ Jefferson posted a nice afternoon with six tackles – including one sack and a quarterback hurry – while also recording an interception and pressure in the backfield all afternoon. The team also saw Julian Crutchfield and Andrew Horton-Martindale tally forced fumbles while Garrett Wall and Anthony Brown notched fumble recoveries.

UT Martin will take its next step in a preseason goal as game two of the Sgt. York Trophy Series has the Skyhawks playing host to Tennessee Tech on Saturday, Nov. 10. The Skyhawks will honor the team's 20 seniors prior to the 2 p.m. kickoff.