SKYHAWK FOOTBALL CHALLENGES LATE BUT DROPS HOME OPENER TO CHATTANOOGA 34-24

Saturday, September 15

Martin, Tenn.

3 p.m.

UT Martin

0-3

Chattanooga

3-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Chattanooga

UT Martin

SKYHAWK FOOTBALL CHALLENGES LATE BUT DROPS HOME OPENER TO CHATTANOOGA 34-24

9/15/2018 7:56:00 PM | Football

Box Score Boxscore Final Book Photo Gallery Postgame Press Conference

MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin football team pushed for a comeback down the stretch but ultimately dropped its home opener against in-state foe Chattanooga on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 34-24.

The Skyhawks (0-3) are still looking for their first win of the season despite trimming the margin to as close at 10 points on a pair of occasions in the fourth quarter. With the deficit down to just 10 points late in the fourth quarter following an onside kick, the Skyhawks would push the ball all the way down to the Chattanooga three-yard line but would see its final offensive stand fall short at the goal line to seal the contest.

UT Martin tallied 23 first downs on the day while notching 457 yards of total offense but a pair of first half turnovers kept the squad off the scoreboard until the final seconds of the second period. While Chattanooga was out-gained offensively, the Mocs took advantage of an efficient offense with 361 yards while tallying three touchdowns and a pair of field goals.

Sophomore quarterback Dresser Winn led the Skyhawks offense by completing 27-of-43 pass attempts for 300 yards and a three total touchdowns. The game marked his second straight week with 300 passing yards but a pair of interceptions – including one at the goal line – stifled a pair of drives in the first half. As a whole, Winn would find the tandem of Jaylon Moore (four yards) and Colton Dowell (24 yards) for touchdown completions while punching in a three-run rushing score to round out his afternoon.

Versatile junior receiver Terry Williams put on a show for the second consecutive outing. After notching a pair of touchdown receptions a week ago against FBS foe Middle Tennessee, Williams tallied 229 all-purpose yards on the day. The playmaker notched 10 receptions for 141 yards while tallying three carries for 48 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, junior safety Brandon Anderson notched a new career-high with 10 tackles to pace the Skyhawks. Perhaps Anderson's biggest tackle of the day came in the third quarter when he stripped loose a fumble on the right sideline to flip the field and later set up a key scoring drive. Senior Kevin Prather, Jr. also posted a big game with nine tackles on the afternoon, including a pair of tackles for loss. Junior DaVonte Maura also notched a season-high eight tackles while recovering a fumble.

"Obviously it was a tough one to lose at home and was one that we needed to get, but give them credit, they are 3-0 and a much improved football team," UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said. "They had a good defensive plan, we couldn't control the line of scrimmage and they were able to slow us down and control the tempo. We have to play better defense and score when we have the opportunities."

Chattanooga (3-0) remained unbeaten on the season behind the strong play of junior quarterback Nick Tiano as he completed 20-of-24 passes for 208 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Junior Tyrell Price tallied 22 carries for 118 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Sophomore Bryce Nunnelly meanwhile led the receiving core with eight catches for 117 yards.

UT Martin will return to the gridiron at Hardy Graham Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 22 when playing host to Ohio Valley Conference rival Austin Peay. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.