UT MARTIN SENDS ITS SENIORS OUT ON TOP AT HOME WITH 28-17 WIN OVER TENNESSEE STATE

Saturday, November 16

Martin, Tenn.

2 p.m.

UT Martin

7-4 , 6-2

Tennessee State

2-9 , 1-6

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Tennessee State

UT Martin

UT MARTIN SENDS ITS SENIORS OUT ON TOP AT HOME WITH 28-17 WIN OVER TENNESSEE STATE

11/16/2019 9:23:00 PM | Football

Box Score PDF Postgame: Simpson Postgame: Bowe Photo Gallery

MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin football team sent its senior class out on top in its final game at Hardy M. Graham Stadium this season with a 28-17 victory.

The Skyhawks (7-4, 6-2 OVC) picked up their seventh win of the season to wrap up Ohio Valley Conference play. Along with the victory, UT Martin clinched at least a share of the coveted Sgt. York Trophy for the seventh time since 2010 by finishing the campaign with a 2-1 mark against Tennessee members of the OVC while improving their mark to 18-5 in the trophy series since 2012. The win also improved the Skyhawks to 5-0 at home this season.

"To be able to send the seniors off with a victory at home is important to me and our program," UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said. "I'm proud of this football team. It certainly wasn't pretty but we fought and knew they had some trouble holding onto leads, so we battled back. Certainly, it wasn't clean but on Senior Day, there is nothing you can hope for but to play well and give these seniors a good locker room after the game."

Gallery: (11/16/2019) Football vs. Tennessee State

One of the highlights of the day was the play of graduate running back Jaimiee Bowe who posted one of his best games since a devastating injury two seasons ago. After missing the entire 2017 campaign with an Achilles injury, Bowe has returned to the fold and back into the starting role while rolling to an impressive showing with 108 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in his final game at Graham Stadium. With his final touchdown in the fourth quarter, he moved into third place on the program's career list with his 21^st rushing touchdown.

"One guy I am really proud of is Juice," UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said. "For Jaimiee to put that last touchdown in was big for him and his career. He's married, has a child and has already graduated, so he is making some sacrifices and I appreciate it."

Bowe took the opportunity to reflect on his time after a special game by saying "It's been a long ride and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world." When adding in the fact that his family was in the stands watching, it meant more than any other game. "They played a big part in everything," Bowe said. "From the injury, to bouncing back, to being able to come back and finish things off, they were able to be a part of that. That is what is so special. One of the biggest things I would have regretted was not coming back. I'm glad I did because I love this team."

Other seniors posting big performances were the receiving duo of Terry Williams and Jaylon Moore. Williams led the team with six receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown while Moore tallied his fourth touchdown in the last two games with three receptions and 57 yards – including an acrobatic 27-yard touchdown snag.

Then on the defensive end, senior linebacker TJ Jefferson paced the team with 12 tackles while graduate punter Zane Cox tallied six punts which traveled an average distance of 38.7 yards – including a 49-yard punt – while pinning five balls inside the 20.

Freshman quarterback John Bachus III threw for three touchdowns to help rally the Skyhawks to a fourth quarter victory. Bachus would complete 16-of-25 pass attempts on the day for 216 yards and touchdown strikes of seven, 27 and nine yards.

Tennessee State (2-9, 1-6 OVC) fought back to quickly tie the game in the first quarter following a seven-yard touchdown by Bowe on the Skyhawks opening possession. After knotting the game up, an 18-yard field goal by Antonio Zita in the second quarter gave the Tigers a 10-7 lead heading into halftime.

UT Martin would strike quickly again in the third quarter as Bachus lofted a ball to Moore which the senior playmaker reached back for and brought in for a 27-yard touchdown strike – the 18^th of his career to move into sole possession of third place in program history. The lead would be short-lived as a lengthy six-minute drive by TSU resulted in a one-yard touchdown carry by Andrew Knox to take a 17-14 advantage.

The Skyhawks would later take advantage of a short field following a Tennessee State punt with Bachus capping the scoring drive with a nine-yard pass to Williams to take a 21-17 lead in the fourth. Needing just a bit more breathing room, the Skyhawks added another touchdown in the final minute on Bowe's five-yard run.

UT Martin heads into the final week of the regular season a half-game back out of first place in the OVC standings – needing a loss by both Austin Peay and Southeast Missouri in Week 13 to jump back into a tie for the league championship. The Skyhawks will have no easy test themselves, facing off against Southeastern Conference foe Kentucky on Saturday, Nov. 23 to close out the season.