Saturday, October 30
Martin, Tenn.
2 p.m.
UT Martin
vs
Austin Peay
NO. 12 UT MARTIN OPENS FIGHT FOR SGT. YORK TROPHY AGAINST AUSTIN PEAY
10/26/2021 4:03:00 PM | Football
**Jason Simpson's Weekly Press Conference is below**
No. 12 ranked University of Tennessee at Martin football team puts its six-game winning streak to the test as the Skyhawks welcome Ohio Valley Conference rival Austin Peay this weekend to open the Sgt. York Trophy series. Kickoff from Hardy Graham Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
The Skyhawks (6-1, 2-0 OVC) are coming off a 38-30 win over Southeast Missouri last week. Following the victory, the Skyhawks rank 12th in the AFCA Coaches' Poll and 13th in the Stats Perform FCS Poll. Quarterback Keon Howard earned his third OVC Newcomer of the Week honor – bringing his total OVC accolades to five on the season – after compiling 241 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in the win. Running back Peyton Logan also posted a big day, racking up 159 yards on the ground to become just the ninth player in program history to eclipse 2,000 career rushing yards.
UT Martin enters the contest riding the program's longest winning streak since 2006 while sitting as the only remaining unbeaten atop the OVC standings. The Skyhawks lead the OVC in 11 statistical categories including scoring offense (33.9 ppg), rushing offense (228.7 ypg), pass efficiency (140.6), interceptions (nine), PAT kicking percentage (100), sacks against (six), third-down conversions (46.2 percent), fourth-down conversions (54.5 percent), opponent fourth-down conversions (33.3 percent), on-side kicks (100 percent) and time of possession (33:54).
Austin Peay (3-4, 1-1 OVC) is coming off a blowout win at Murray State last weekend by a score of 47-6. The Governors boast a potent offense which leads the league in total offense (441.4 ygp), passing offense (271.4 ypg) and first downs (22.6/game) while rankings second in scoring offense (30.9 ppg). Quarterback Draylen Ellis ranks second in the league in total offense (248.7 ypg) while running back Ahmaad Tanner (nine TDs) sits second in the OVC in rushing touchdowns.
The contest serves as the first of three games in the coveted Sgt. York Trophy series for UT Martin. The series pits Tennessee members of the OVC in a battle for state supremacy and ownership of the traveling trophy between the Austin Peay, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech and UT Martin. The Skyhawks have claimed at least a share of the Sgt. York Trophy eight times since 2007 – the most of any program – while owning a 29-13 mark in the series which ranks the best amongst the four programs.
Saturday marks the 70th meeting between the two programs with UT Martin holding a 40-27-2 advantage in the all-time series. The Skyhawks have won their last six home games against the Governors while picking up a dramatic road win in their last meeting (March 21, 2021) with Tyler Larco kicking a 46-yard field goal as time expired to lift UT Martin to a 37-34 victory.
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.
No. 12 ranked University of Tennessee at Martin football team puts its six-game winning streak to the test as the Skyhawks welcome Ohio Valley Conference rival Austin Peay this weekend to open the Sgt. York Trophy series. Kickoff from Hardy Graham Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
The Skyhawks (6-1, 2-0 OVC) are coming off a 38-30 win over Southeast Missouri last week. Following the victory, the Skyhawks rank 12th in the AFCA Coaches' Poll and 13th in the Stats Perform FCS Poll. Quarterback Keon Howard earned his third OVC Newcomer of the Week honor – bringing his total OVC accolades to five on the season – after compiling 241 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in the win. Running back Peyton Logan also posted a big day, racking up 159 yards on the ground to become just the ninth player in program history to eclipse 2,000 career rushing yards.
UT Martin enters the contest riding the program's longest winning streak since 2006 while sitting as the only remaining unbeaten atop the OVC standings. The Skyhawks lead the OVC in 11 statistical categories including scoring offense (33.9 ppg), rushing offense (228.7 ypg), pass efficiency (140.6), interceptions (nine), PAT kicking percentage (100), sacks against (six), third-down conversions (46.2 percent), fourth-down conversions (54.5 percent), opponent fourth-down conversions (33.3 percent), on-side kicks (100 percent) and time of possession (33:54).
Austin Peay (3-4, 1-1 OVC) is coming off a blowout win at Murray State last weekend by a score of 47-6. The Governors boast a potent offense which leads the league in total offense (441.4 ygp), passing offense (271.4 ypg) and first downs (22.6/game) while rankings second in scoring offense (30.9 ppg). Quarterback Draylen Ellis ranks second in the league in total offense (248.7 ypg) while running back Ahmaad Tanner (nine TDs) sits second in the OVC in rushing touchdowns.
The contest serves as the first of three games in the coveted Sgt. York Trophy series for UT Martin. The series pits Tennessee members of the OVC in a battle for state supremacy and ownership of the traveling trophy between the Austin Peay, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech and UT Martin. The Skyhawks have claimed at least a share of the Sgt. York Trophy eight times since 2007 – the most of any program – while owning a 29-13 mark in the series which ranks the best amongst the four programs.
Saturday marks the 70th meeting between the two programs with UT Martin holding a 40-27-2 advantage in the all-time series. The Skyhawks have won their last six home games against the Governors while picking up a dramatic road win in their last meeting (March 21, 2021) with Tyler Larco kicking a 46-yard field goal as time expired to lift UT Martin to a 37-34 victory.
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.
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