UT Martin
3-2 , 2-0
Eastern Kentucky
3-3 , 1-1
UT MARTIN FOOTBALL SILENCES EASTERN KENTUCKY’S GROUND ATTACK IN 38-28 ROAD VICTORY
10/5/2019 7:38:00 PM | Football
The Skyhawks (3-2, 2-0 OVC) commanded the ground attack, tallying a season-high 234 rushing yards while scoring three touchdowns. On the flip side, UT Martin would limit Eastern Kentucky's offense which averaged 243.8 rushing yards per game to just 96 yards on 40 carries.
In a back and forth contest which saw both teams eclipsed 400 yards of total offense and combine for 66 total points, the Skyhawks put the finishing touches on the contest with a pair of forced turnovers. After EKU took an early advantage, UT Martin scored 17 unanswered points. From there the Colonels would charge back to eventually take the lead before finding big plays in the second half to put the game away.
The game marked the second straight game in which the Skyhawks held their opponent to less than 100 rushing yards. The win also marked the third win at Roy Kidd Stadium in program history, winning three of the last four road meetings.
Quarterback John Bachus III managed a good game, completing 15-of-21 passes for 167 yards. Junior receiver Donnell Williams tallied four receptions for 58 yards.
Running back Peyton Logan tallied his second 100-yard rushing performance of the season with 13 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown, his fifth of the season. Joining in the action was Lamarcus Young who tallied his first career rushing touchdown on a 41-yard carry while Jaimiee Bowe tallied his 19th career touchdown.
Defensively, junior Takeem Young paced the squad with seven tackles while the duo of JaQuez Akins and DaVonte Maura recorded seven tackles each. The Skyhawks would tally four sacks in the contest from Cecil Cherry, Austin Pickett, Joseph Murry and D'Carrious Stephens. Pickett would lead the team with two tackles for loss, including a strip sack in the third quarter which TJ Jefferson returned 44 yards for a touchdown.
"I'm very proud of our kids," UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said. "We take pride in being a bunch of no-names. Our stats aren't great in any phase, but you better buckle up when you play us because these kids will play you hard. I'm proud of our special teams, our defense forcing some turnovers and our run game getting going today. That's how you win games. We found ways to win and I'm proud of our team."
UT Martin will return to action with an OVC matchup at Tennessee Tech on Saturday, Oct. 12. Kickoff from Tucker Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Team Stats
UTM 0, EKU 7
EKU - CARTER, Jaelin 27 yd pass from McKINNEY, P. (HAYWORTH, Sam kick) 3 plays, 48 yards, TOP 1:08
UTM 7, EKU 7
UTM - YOUNG, Lamarcus 41 yd run (COURTRIGHT, Rya kick), 4 plays, 62 yards, TOP 1:14
UTM 10, EKU 7
UTM - COURTRIGHT, Rya 22 yd field goal 12 plays, 84 yards, TOP 6:05
UTM 17, EKU 7
UTM - BOWE, Jaimiee 9 yd run (COURTRIGHT, Rya kick), 5 plays, 92 yards, TOP 1:20
UTM 17, EKU 14
EKU - McCLESKEY, D. 4 yd pass from McKINNEY, P. (HAYWORTH, Sam kick) 9 plays, 81 yards, TOP 1:10
UTM 17, EKU 21
EKU - BOOTH, Alonzo 1 yd run (HAYWORTH, Sam kick), 10 plays, 85 yards, TOP 4:20
UTM 24, EKU 21
UTM - BACHUS, John 5 yd run (COURTRIGHT, Rya kick), 1 plays, 5 yards, TOP 0:05
UTM 31, EKU 21
UTM - JEFFERSON, TJ 44 yd fumble recovery (COURTRIGHT, Rya kick)
UTM 31, EKU 28
EKU - McKINNEY, P. 5 yd run (HAYWORTH, Sam kick), 13 plays, 82 yards, TOP 4:28
UTM 38, EKU 28
UTM - LOGAN, Peyton 54 yd run (COURTRIGHT, Rya kick), 5 plays, 71 yards, TOP 2:36
