SKYHAWK FOOTBALL NOTCHES WIN IN OVC AND SGT. YORK TROPHY SERIES OPENER 37-7

Saturday, September 22

Martin, Tenn.

2 p.m.

UT Martin

1-3 , 1-0

Austin Peay

2-2 , 0-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Austin Peay

UT Martin

SKYHAWK FOOTBALL NOTCHES WIN IN OVC AND SGT. YORK TROPHY SERIES OPENER 37-7

9/22/2018 7:10:00 PM | Football

Box Score Boxscore Final Book Photo Gallery Postgame Press Conference

MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin football team picked up its first win of the season in the team's Ohio Valley Conference opener against Austin Peay behind a dominating defensive performance and a final score of 37-7.

The Skyhawks (1-3, 1-0 OVC) snapped its losing streak while serving up a bit of revenge in the opening contest of the annual Sgt. York Trophy series. After UT Martin won the annual quandrangular trophy series in three consecutive seasons from 2014-16, the Governors slipped through and won the trophy in 2017 behind a big 7-0 victory against the Skyhawks 357 days ago. Looking to take the first step in bringing the trophy back to northwest Tennessee, the Skyhawks held the Govs scoreless and to just 60 total yards for the final three quarters of play.

UT Martin would tally 368 yards of total offense but it was the team's defense which sealed the team victory. The Skyhawks would limit the Govs to just 10 first downs on the afternoon – including six of those in the first quarter alone – while forcing the opposition into a pair of turnovers and notching 15 tackles for loss.

On the offensive side of the ball, Dresser Winn served as the game manager at quarterback, completing 21-of-28 passes for 199 yards and a touchdown. Along with his 20-yard passing touchdown to Jaylon Moore in the first quarter, Winn would break loose early in the fourth quarter for a 13-yard rushing touchdown to put distance in the final score.

Running back LaDarius Galloway posted a solid afternoon with 16 carries for 71 yards to lead the team. Meanwhile the trio of Winn, Joe Hudson and Jaimiee Bowe would notch rushing touchdowns on the afternoon. Another highlight of the day saw both Galloway (1,055) and Bowe (1,017) eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing mark for their respective careers.

On the defensive side the Skyhawks caused havoc throughout the rainy afternoon. Senior linebacker Garrett Wall posted arguably the best game of his career with 13 tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss along with a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Fellow senior Kevin Prather, Jr. also lived up to his billing with 11 tackles and 3.0 TFLs of his own. Junior Brandon Anderson also posted his second straight week with double-figure tackles with 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.

As a whole, the defense notched 15 tackles for loss totaling 70 yards, three sacks, seven pass breakups and four quarterback hurries. Additionally, the secondary duo of Andrew Horton-Martindale and Wanya Moton tallied the team's first interceptions of the season.

Sophomore specialist Ryan Courtright remained perfect on field goal attempts on the season by rounding out the day's scoring for the Skyhawks with a 36-yard field goal late in the third quarter.

"That was a good program win," UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson. "I am so proud of our defensive staff and our players. It was great implementation of our plan. They were physical and there was a lot of contact. To hold them to 272 yards was just a great job. These first three weeks have been tough on these kids. This is a good football team; we just need some confidence. That locker room needed some enjoyment and it was a lot of fun after the game."

Austin Peay (2-2, 0-1 OVC) dropped its league opener after bringing consecutive victories into the contest. Heralded as a high-octane offense, the Govs were limited to just 272 yards of total offense and one touchdown after entering the game averaging 34 points per game. Quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall tallied the team's lone touchdown – a 37-yard scamper down the right sideline in the first quarter. Following the opening quarter, APSU would be limited to just 60 yards in the final three quarters.

UT Martin will look to keep building momentum with a matchup at Murray State on Saturday, Sept. 29. Kickoff from Stewart Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m.