THREE PRESEASON ALL-OVC SELECTIONS HIGHLIGHT OVC FOOTBALL MEDIA DAY; SQUAD PICKED THIRD
7/23/2018 10:15:00 AM | Football
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Three University of Tennessee at Martin standouts were recognized as preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference performers while the Skyhawks were picked to finish third in the quest for a league championship in conjunction with OVC Football Media Day festivities held at Embassy Suites Nashville Airport.
The Skyhawks saw LaDarius Galloway, James Gilleylen and Peyton Logan each earn preseason All-OVC honors. UT Martin was tabbed third in the preseason poll – as voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors – saw the Skyhawks garner 95 votes.
Hailing from Indianola, Miss., Galloway exploded onto the scene for the Skyhawks in his first season to earn two OVC Offensive Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week honors each. Ranking amongst the nation's leading rushers for much of the season, Galloway tallied 172 carries for 859 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He also notched 22 receptions for 307 yards. His best game came against Ole Miss when he tallied 188 rushing yards and a touchdown. His 859 rushing yards ranks as the program's 10th best individual season rushing performance. He finished the season ranked third in the OVC in rushing yards and rushing yards per game (78.1) while sitting fifth in all-purpose yards (106.0 ypg).
A native of Tupelo, Miss., Gilleylen proved to be a force at the center of the linebacker core. Gilleylen posted a team-high 88 total tackles – including 32 solos and 56 assists. He recorded nine tackles for loss totaling 24 yards while tallying a pair of sacks. In addition to his tackling prowess, he notched five quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one interception. Gilleylen finished the season ranked in the OVC in forced fumbles (second), fumbles recovered (third), tackles (fifth) and tackles for loss (15th).
Hailing from Horn Lake, Miss., Logan proved to be explosive in his true freshman season for the Skyhawks. The running back made moves on special teams, earning postseason honors after notching 22 kickoff returns for 593 yards and one touchdown. His best game came against Eastern Kentucky when he broke loose on a kickoff return for a 95-yard touchdown – ranked as the eighth longest return in program history – to earn OVC Specialist of the Week honors. Logan ranked fifth nationally with his lone kickoff return for a touchdown while his 27.0 yards per return ranked ninth nationally.
Defending OVC champion Jacksonville State was picked as the preseason favorite for the fifth consecutive year after picking up 14 of 18 first place votes, including 126 points overall. Austin Peay picked up 112 votes – including four first place votes – to finish third while UT Martin (95), Eastern Illinois (73), Eastern Kentucky (69), Tennessee State (64), Southeast Missouri (62), Murray State (24) and Tennessee Tech (23) followed.
The Skyhawks begin their 13th season under the direction of head coach Jason Simpson who has won a total of 78 games in his tenure, ranking as the seventh most victories in OVC history. Simpson leads a Skyhawk squad which finished last season in fourth place at 4-4 in the OVC and 6-5 overall.
UT Martin will open the season on Saturday, Sept. 1 against Southeastern Conference foe Missouri. Fans will get the first look at the Skyhawks with the home opener scheduled for Sept. 15 against Chattanooga for Family Weekend. The Skyhawks will also play host to Ohio Valley Conference rivals Austin Peay (Sept. 22), Eastern Kentucky (Oct. 13), Southeast Missouri (Oct. 27) and Tennessee Tech (Nov. 10). The program's annual Homecoming contest is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27 against Southeast Missouri.
Season ticket packages and single-game ticket sales for Skyhawk football are now available. For more information or to purchase your tickets today, visit ticket manager Fran Spears at the Skyhawk Ticket Office, located in Room 1091 in the Skyhawk Fieldhouse or call (731) 881-7207.
The Skyhawks saw LaDarius Galloway, James Gilleylen and Peyton Logan each earn preseason All-OVC honors. UT Martin was tabbed third in the preseason poll – as voted on by the league's head coaches and sports information directors – saw the Skyhawks garner 95 votes.
Hailing from Indianola, Miss., Galloway exploded onto the scene for the Skyhawks in his first season to earn two OVC Offensive Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week honors each. Ranking amongst the nation's leading rushers for much of the season, Galloway tallied 172 carries for 859 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He also notched 22 receptions for 307 yards. His best game came against Ole Miss when he tallied 188 rushing yards and a touchdown. His 859 rushing yards ranks as the program's 10th best individual season rushing performance. He finished the season ranked third in the OVC in rushing yards and rushing yards per game (78.1) while sitting fifth in all-purpose yards (106.0 ypg).
A native of Tupelo, Miss., Gilleylen proved to be a force at the center of the linebacker core. Gilleylen posted a team-high 88 total tackles – including 32 solos and 56 assists. He recorded nine tackles for loss totaling 24 yards while tallying a pair of sacks. In addition to his tackling prowess, he notched five quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one interception. Gilleylen finished the season ranked in the OVC in forced fumbles (second), fumbles recovered (third), tackles (fifth) and tackles for loss (15th).
Hailing from Horn Lake, Miss., Logan proved to be explosive in his true freshman season for the Skyhawks. The running back made moves on special teams, earning postseason honors after notching 22 kickoff returns for 593 yards and one touchdown. His best game came against Eastern Kentucky when he broke loose on a kickoff return for a 95-yard touchdown – ranked as the eighth longest return in program history – to earn OVC Specialist of the Week honors. Logan ranked fifth nationally with his lone kickoff return for a touchdown while his 27.0 yards per return ranked ninth nationally.
Defending OVC champion Jacksonville State was picked as the preseason favorite for the fifth consecutive year after picking up 14 of 18 first place votes, including 126 points overall. Austin Peay picked up 112 votes – including four first place votes – to finish third while UT Martin (95), Eastern Illinois (73), Eastern Kentucky (69), Tennessee State (64), Southeast Missouri (62), Murray State (24) and Tennessee Tech (23) followed.
The Skyhawks begin their 13th season under the direction of head coach Jason Simpson who has won a total of 78 games in his tenure, ranking as the seventh most victories in OVC history. Simpson leads a Skyhawk squad which finished last season in fourth place at 4-4 in the OVC and 6-5 overall.
UT Martin will open the season on Saturday, Sept. 1 against Southeastern Conference foe Missouri. Fans will get the first look at the Skyhawks with the home opener scheduled for Sept. 15 against Chattanooga for Family Weekend. The Skyhawks will also play host to Ohio Valley Conference rivals Austin Peay (Sept. 22), Eastern Kentucky (Oct. 13), Southeast Missouri (Oct. 27) and Tennessee Tech (Nov. 10). The program's annual Homecoming contest is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 27 against Southeast Missouri.
Season ticket packages and single-game ticket sales for Skyhawk football are now available. For more information or to purchase your tickets today, visit ticket manager Fran Spears at the Skyhawk Ticket Office, located in Room 1091 in the Skyhawk Fieldhouse or call (731) 881-7207.
Players Mentioned
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