Saturday, October 23
Martin, Tenn.
2 p.m.
UT Martin
vs
Southeast Missouri
NO. 13 SKYHAWKS OPEN THREE-GAME HOMESTAND WITH NON-CONFERENCE MATCHUP AGAINST SEMO
10/19/2021 12:00:00 PM | Football
**Jason Simpson's Weekly Press Conference is below**
Hot off a five-game winning streak, the No. 13 ranked University of Tennessee at Martin football team will open a season-long three-game homestand with a non-conference matchup against Southeast Missouri on Saturday, Oct. 23. Kickoff from Hardy M. Graham Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN+.
While both UT Martin and Southeast Missouri are each members of the Ohio Valley Conference, this contest will not count in the league standings but rather serve as a non-conference matchup due to an unbalanced schedule. The two teams will play their regularly scheduled conference matchup on Saturday, Nov. 20.
The Skyhawks (5-1, 2-0 OVC) enter the contest as one of the hottest teams in the country with five consecutive wins – sitting as the team's longest winning streak since the 2006 season. UT Martin ranks 13th in both the AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25 and Stats Perform FCS Poll – its highest national rankings in 15 years – while leading the OVC in 12 statistical categories including scoring offense (33.2 ppg), rushing offense (227.5 ypg), rushing defense (107.2 ypg), interceptions (eight), sacks against (0.83/gm) and red zone defense (76 percent) to name a few.
Some of the top individual performances of note include a strong stretch by running back Zak Wallace which includes back-to-back games which have seen the freshman score five total rushing touchdowns. Fellow running back Peyton Logan is closing in on a career milestone as he sits just 12 yards away from becoming the ninth member in program history to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards. Overall the Skyhawks lead the league and rank 10th nationally with 227.5 rushing yards per game while Logan (84.0, 2nd), Wallace (57.8, 7th) and Keon Howard (53.2, 8th) all rank in the top-10.
Southeast Missouri (2-5, 2-1 OVC) is coming off a narrow 32-31 loss to Murray State last week. The Redhawks lead the league with a +6 turnover margin while ranking third in scoring offense (26.9 ppg) and second in interceptions (six). They also boast the league's top rusher in Geno Hess who paces the OVC with 137 carries for 762 yards and 11 touchdowns – averaging 108.9 yards per game.
Saturday's matchup marks the 37th meeting between the two programs as the series is tied 18-18. Southeast Missouri has won the last three matchups – including the last two contests in Martin. UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson has had success against the Redhawks overall however, posting a 10-5 record in 15 games.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with John Hatler (play-by-play), Derek Carr (analyst) and Chris Brinkley (analyst) calling the action. Fans can also tune into WCMT Radio 1410 AM/100.5 FM for the radio broadcast. Those links – in addition to live stats – can be found at the top of the page.
Hot off a five-game winning streak, the No. 13 ranked University of Tennessee at Martin football team will open a season-long three-game homestand with a non-conference matchup against Southeast Missouri on Saturday, Oct. 23. Kickoff from Hardy M. Graham Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast exclusively on ESPN+.
While both UT Martin and Southeast Missouri are each members of the Ohio Valley Conference, this contest will not count in the league standings but rather serve as a non-conference matchup due to an unbalanced schedule. The two teams will play their regularly scheduled conference matchup on Saturday, Nov. 20.
The Skyhawks (5-1, 2-0 OVC) enter the contest as one of the hottest teams in the country with five consecutive wins – sitting as the team's longest winning streak since the 2006 season. UT Martin ranks 13th in both the AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25 and Stats Perform FCS Poll – its highest national rankings in 15 years – while leading the OVC in 12 statistical categories including scoring offense (33.2 ppg), rushing offense (227.5 ypg), rushing defense (107.2 ypg), interceptions (eight), sacks against (0.83/gm) and red zone defense (76 percent) to name a few.
Some of the top individual performances of note include a strong stretch by running back Zak Wallace which includes back-to-back games which have seen the freshman score five total rushing touchdowns. Fellow running back Peyton Logan is closing in on a career milestone as he sits just 12 yards away from becoming the ninth member in program history to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards. Overall the Skyhawks lead the league and rank 10th nationally with 227.5 rushing yards per game while Logan (84.0, 2nd), Wallace (57.8, 7th) and Keon Howard (53.2, 8th) all rank in the top-10.
Southeast Missouri (2-5, 2-1 OVC) is coming off a narrow 32-31 loss to Murray State last week. The Redhawks lead the league with a +6 turnover margin while ranking third in scoring offense (26.9 ppg) and second in interceptions (six). They also boast the league's top rusher in Geno Hess who paces the OVC with 137 carries for 762 yards and 11 touchdowns – averaging 108.9 yards per game.
Saturday's matchup marks the 37th meeting between the two programs as the series is tied 18-18. Southeast Missouri has won the last three matchups – including the last two contests in Martin. UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson has had success against the Redhawks overall however, posting a 10-5 record in 15 games.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with John Hatler (play-by-play), Derek Carr (analyst) and Chris Brinkley (analyst) calling the action. Fans can also tune into WCMT Radio 1410 AM/100.5 FM for the radio broadcast. Those links – in addition to live stats – can be found at the top of the page.
Players Mentioned
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2025 UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame Induction
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