UT MARTIN FOOTBALL LOOKS TO DEFEND CULTURE WITH MOTTO NUNC COEPI IN 2019

UT MARTIN FOOTBALL LOOKS TO DEFEND CULTURE WITH MOTTO NUNC COEPI IN 2019

8/24/2019 10:15:00 PM | Football

MARTIN, Tenn. – The Latin phrase Nunc Coepi is translated into English as "now I begin." The University of Tennessee at Martin football program will look to do just that with the start of the season just around the corner.

While the start of the season is a new beginning in itself, the motto infers the ability to always begin again. Whether it is in the classroom, the playing surface or in their personal life, the Skyhawks have bought into the motto which has been displayed on walls, wrist banks and on social media. When they find success, failure or anything in-between, the Skyhawks will look to begin again and renew their desire to serve each other throughout the season.

"With our motto Nunc Coepi, we are kind of defending our culture this year," UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said. "This is a very selfless team and that is going to be our strength. In the past we might have had some distractions on our roster, but we have worked hard to clean that up and really I give credit to our kids for making us do that. When you see the leadership of this team and how they hold themselves to a certain standard, it really stands out when a player doesn't practice hard or put his teammates first. That really gives you a chance because you aren't fighting yourself."

After a disappointing 2018 campaign, the Skyhawks are looking to show that a 2-9 season was nothing more than a fluke following a year filled with injuries and narrow losses. One of the biggest reasons why Simpson and staff believe things will be different this season has been the leadership role and culture that his senior class has implemented throughout meetings, practice and in the weight room.

"This is the best group of seniors we have had from a teammate standpoint," Simpson said. "In the spring I would have told you just because of TJ Jefferson, but now he has molded the rest of his teammates. Cecil Cherry is just a good person while you have to respect the way Sherrod Pittman carries himself and practices every day. Then you add in players like DaVonte Maura, Josh Dodd, Cam Ordway, Austin Pickett, Julian Crutchfield and Joseph Murry just on defense alone combined with Jaylon Moore and Rodney Williams II, who have always practiced hard, these are some good dudes."

"It has probably been 10 years since we've been through 17 practices where I haven't had to constantly stay on the players in order to get them to practice, focus and do things the right way," Simpson continued. "That's the strength of this team. This group1541 will make people have to practice during the week and then perform on Saturday's to beat them."

UT Martin features a roster with three quarterbacks which saw game action a year ago while a total of eight different players have earned preseason all-conference accolades. Seniors Julian Crutchfield (defensive line), Terry Fultz (offensive line) and Austin Pickett (defensive line) earned Preseason All-OVC honors while the group of Ryan Courtright (place kicker), Jaylon Moore (wide receiver), Peyton Logan (running back/kick returner), Terry Williams (wide receiver/punt returner) and TJ Jefferson (linebacker) also highlight the team.

When it comes to the offensive side of the ball, Simpson believes it will take a couple games to find the team's true identity. "We will have to be a balanced team that takes what the defense gives us. What I'm excited about is to see what our identity grows into. I don't think we are built to be able to run the ball or throw it 50 times a game and I am ok with that. We feel like we have some strong players at skill positions like Jaylon who possesses elite speed along with a 6' 5" receiver on the other side with Rodney. Then you add in players like running backs Peyton and Jaimiee who have played a lot for us the past couple of years, I think we have the pieces to be dynamic."

On the defensive end – a group labeled The Darkside – hopes to prove that graduation isn't as much a loss, but more a chance for new opportunities. "The defense has come together really well," Simpson said. "We have modified some things structurally that will allow us to be more multiple on defense than we have been in the past. This group of players are hungry because they haven't started many games before. Last year looking forward, I might be a little bit worried about this year's team because we had the three senior linebackers but the accountability, the way this team has practiced and the attention to detail has led to better team defense."

When asked how the team will define success, Simpson stated that he had two things he was looking forward to. "I want to see how our defense responds when an opponent makes a big play. Will they line back up and put the play behind them or become shocked? Then on the offensive side, when they find the same success I just talked about, will they be surprised or become blood-thirsty and go on a roll? If those questions are answered the way I think they will be, I believe we will find success."

Quarterbacks

With a wealth of depth at the quarterback position, the Skyhawks feature three quarterbacks which saw significant action from a season ago. Junior Dresser Winn returns for his third season after starting the first seven games of the season, tossing 1,601 yards and 12 touchdowns before suffering a season-ending injury. Senior Joe Hudson also notched starting experience in the final four games of the season, throwing for 1,028 yards and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, redshirt-freshman John Bachus III retained his redshirt in his debut season despite appearing in three games and tossing four touchdowns.

Quarterbacks: John Bachus III, Wyatt Eget, Trip Gibson, Stewart Howell, Joe Hudson, John Mitchell and Dresser Winn.

Running Backs

The Skyhawks return nearly 100 carries from the combination of graduate Jaimiee Bowe and junior Peyton Logan. Bowe has tallied 275 carries, 1,144 yards and 17 touchdowns in his career while Logan has 67 attempts and 360 yards through two seasons. UT Martin will look to Lamarcus Young to add depth after transitioning from safety to the running back core.

Running Backs: Jaimiee Bowe, Isaiah Gibbs, Kendrick Gillespie, Jarious Johnson, Peyton Logan, Marquis Traylor, Ja'Kevious Vickers, Zak Wallace and Lamarcus Young.

Wide Receivers

UT Martin will rely heavily on the team's senior playmakers to carry the bulk of the load with the wide receiver core. Seniors Terry Williams, Jaylon Moore and Rodney Williams II all return to the starting lineup for the second consecutive season. Terry Williams proved to be dynamic in his debut season in 2018, tallying 67 receptions for 736 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile Moore recorded 52 receptions for 799 yards and eight touchdowns while Rodney Williams II tallied 23 catches for 262 yards. The Skyhawks will look to Jeremy Horton and Donnell Williams for additional depth meanwhile newcomers Kevin Butler, Marqwell Odom and Darian Oxendine could grow into rolls within the offense.

Wide Receivers: Kevin Butler, Jaden Gibbs, Jeremy Horton, Deray Lawrence, Jaylon Moore, Marqwell Odom, Darian Oxendine, Tyler Shorter, Donnell Williams, Rodney Williams II and Terry Williams.

Tight Ends

The Skyhawks will look to youth to fill out the tight end group. The trio of Davin Dyal, Colton Dowell and Collin Tatko have limited experience but will take over a large role in the receiving aspect while Christian Philpott returns after playing in all 11 games.

Tight Ends: Colton Dowell, Davin Dyal, Christian LaBreche, Christian Philpott and Collin Tatko.

Offensive Line

The Skyhawks went into the offseason looking to bolster its offensive line and have done just that. Seniors Terry Fultz and Austin Newsom will anchor the tackle positions while sophomore Jordan Harrod is back at center. The pair of Kelton Edwards and Aries Davis will assume starting roles at the two guard positions while James Walker also returns after starting nine games last season.

Offensive Line: Cru Birdyshaw, Aries Davis, Reed Davis, Kelton Edwards, Brandon Floyd, Terry Fultz, Jordan Harrod, Chris Jackson, D'Andre Litaker, Shane McGroarty, Malcolm Miller, Matthew Needham, Austin Newsom, Gavin Olson, Dustin Pope, Michael Shanahan and James Walker.

Defensive Line

The Skyhawk defensive line should prove to be one of the team's strongest unit with a pair of All-OVC performers in Julian Crutchfield and Austin Pickett. Crutchfield tallied 41 tackles while creating havoc in the backfield with 9.0 tackles for loss totaling 36 yards last season. Meanwhile Pickett started all 11 games at the nose guard position last season, tallying 36 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. Senior Joseph Murry is tabbed to start at the other end position while the group of Korbin Harmon, Chase Joy, Kameron Bowdry and Jamarius Landers will challenge for reps with the second unit.

Defensive Line: Angel Barr, Kameron Bowdry, Julian Crutchfield, Kenyonte Davis, David DuBose, Korbin Harmon, Chase Joy, Jamarius Landers, Hunter May, Traquan McNair, TJ Minnifee, Joseph Murry and Austin Pickett.

Linebackers

While many would consider the linebacker group to take a step back following the graduation of two of the top tacklers in program history, the unit has rounded into form under the direction of de facto senior captain TJ Jefferson. The trio of Jefferson, Sherrod Pittman and D'Carrious Stephens will highlight the unit's first-team while John Ford, Cecil Cherry and Malik Harris will provide the unit's depth.

Linebackers: Cecil Cherry, Jermaine Cooley, Ryan Davis, Darrin Donnell, John Ford, Dion Goldbourne, Malik Harris, Kareem Hobbs, Chris Hunter, TJ Jefferson, Sherrod Pittman, Tevin Shipp, D'Carrious Stephens and CJ Swan.

Secondary

For the second consecutive season, the Skyhawks will have to replace at least three of the team's starters from a year ago. While there will be new faces making up the secondary, the results should speak for themselves. Senior defensive back DaVonte Maura returns to the fold while Ole Miss graduate transfer Cam Ordway should earn the other starting nod. After a breakout performance in 2018, sophomore safety Wanya Moton will look to take the next step in his progression as the lone returning starter while senior Devan Hollins and sophomore Takeem Young look to round out the secondary. The group of David Little, Tamel McCall, Deven Sims, Josh Dodd and JaQuez Akins will also push for reps.

Defensive Backs: Dazerius Bohanna, Tyler Denson, Josh Dodd, Vincent Guy, Kam Harris-Lusk, Kendarius Holliman, Chrishun Jackson, David Little, Jack Lucas, DaVonte Maura, Tamel McCall and Cam Ordway.

Safeties: Brian Adkins, JaQuez Akins, Carson Evans, Devan Hollins, Dezmon Johnson, Rush Lansdell, Wanya Moton, Deven Sims and Takeem Young.

Specialists

The Skyhawks return a trio of their primary specialists in each phase of the kicking game. Junior place kicker Ryan Courtright converted 13-of-15 field goal attempts last season while making 35-of-38 point after attempts. Graduate punter Zane Cox also returns after booting 54 punts for 2,044 yards, averaging 37.9 yards per punt attempt. The pair will be backed up Ryan Clark and Joey Foley, respectively, while sophomore long snapper Brock Powers returns after seeing action in all 11 games last season.

Kickers: Ryan Courtright and Ryan Clark.
Punters: Zane Cox, Joey Foley and Tyler Larco.
Long Snapper: Chris McAbee and Brock Powers.

The Skyhawks will officially open the 2019 season on Thursday, Aug. 29 when playing host to Northwestern State. Kickoff from Hardy Graham Stadium is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.