SKYHAWK FOOTBALL QUICK HITS – MISSOURI EDITION

1. OVC Coaches Teleconference Audio – Jason Simpson

2. Skyhawks Making Their Debut

A number of Skyhawk players are set to make their respective debuts in the season opener against Missouri. While a number of freshmen could potentially see the field, a senior is looking to make his first appearance in a Skyhawk uniform. Fifth-year senior Nick Allen began his career at UT Martin before transferring to Western Kentucky and ultimately returning to the fold for his final campaign. Allen has yet to appear in an official game and is set to start at left tackle. Others expected to make their first career start for the Skyhawks are offensive lineman Mark Garrett, defensive tackle Austin Pickett, cornerback DaVonte Maura, cornerback Andrew Horton-Martindale and safety Antonio Clifton.

3. On This Date in UT Martin History

When the Skyhawks take the field on Saturday it will be the seventh time in program history that UT Martin has played on the 1^st of September. Overall, UT Martin is 3-3 on games played on Sept. 1 dating back to 1990.

2016 at Cincinnati (L, 28-7)
2012 at Memphis (W, 20-17)
2011 at No. 9 Jacksonville State (L, 24-23)
2007 at Southern Miss (L, 35-13)
2005 vs. Central Arkansas (W, 35-34)
1990 vs. Lane (W, 73-0)

4. NCAA Football Rule Changes for 2018

If a kickoff receiver makes a fair catch inside his 20-yard line, his team will have the ball at the 25-yard line – just as if the ball had been caught and downed inside the end zone for a touchback. (example - If a receiving team player makes a fair catch of a kickoff at his 5-yard or 10-yard line, his team will put the ball in play at the 25)
The rules committee declared that beginning this year, the legal uniform will include knee pads in the pants with the knee pads and pants completely covering the knees. Officials are mandated to enforce this rule strictly by not allowing players to be in the game with pants that do not completely cover the knees. Uncovered knees indicate illegal equipment: players must leave the game for at least one down, and they may not return until the equipment is legal.
The rules committee continues to try to reduce the overall length of games by gaining efficiency during "dead" times. This year, the rules have changed to shorten the time between the touchdown and the extra point, and between the kickoff return and the first play from scrimmage. In both cases, the 40-second play clock will start as soon as the ball is dead. Instead of pausing for one minute between the touchdown and the extra point, the 40-second play clock will begin counting down as soon as the touchdown is scored.

5. Skyhawks against SEC Opponents

UT Martin has become very familiar with playing teams from the Southeastern Conference. Along with Saturday's matchup against Missouri, in the last 10 years the Skyhawks have played Auburn (2008), Tennessee (2010), Mississippi State (2011, 2014), Kentucky (2014) and Ole Miss (2015, 2017). UT Martin will also play Florida and Kentucky in 2019.