Saturday, November 27
Springfield, Mo.
3 p.m.
UT Martin
at
Missouri State
NO. 13 UT MARTIN SET FOR NCAA FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF MATCHUP AT NO. 10 MISSOURI STATE
11/23/2021 6:44:00 PM | Football
**Jason Simpson's Weekly Press Conference is below**
The No. 13 ranked University of Tennessee at Martin football team will open play in the 2021 NCAA Division I Football Championship with a first round matchup against Missouri Valley Football Conference runner-up and No. 10 ranked Missouri State on Saturday, Nov. 27. Kickoff from Robert W. Plaster Stadium in Springfield, Mo. is scheduled for 3 p.m. on ESPN+.
The Skyhawks (9-2) enter the postseason as the reigning Ohio Valley Conference champions after posting a 5-1 league record and marks the second OVC title in the program's history – joining a championship run in 2006. UT Martin is making its second postseason appearance in the Division I era, joining the 16-team FCS field in 2006 with a matchup against Southern Illinois (L, 36-30).
UT Martin won a program-record nine straight game during its championship run while becoming just the fourth team in the program's 92-year history to reach the nine-win plateau. In addition to the team's success in conference play, the Skyhawks picked up four non-conference victories and enter the playoffs statistically ranked in the top-25 nationally in 10 team categories and eight individual categories – including sacks allowed (0.91, sixth), rushing offense (231.3, eighth), winning percentage (81.8, ninth) and interceptions (14, 11th) to name a few.
Skyhawk head coach Jason Simpson was recently named a finalist for the 2021 Eddie Robinson Award – presented annually to the national FCS coach of the year - and enters the contest on the brink of a career milestone in search of his 100th victory. Sitting at 99-79 in 16 seasons, Simpson ranks as the OVC's longest tenured head coach and active wins leader while ranking tied for fourth all-time on the career leaderboard with former Western Kentucky head coach Jimmy Feix.
Missouri State (8-3) finished as runner-up in the powerhouse MVFC which placed six teams in the playoff field with a 6-2 league mark. The Bears knocked off three ranked opponents this season while featuring a potent scoring offense which averages 34.5 points per game (15th in NCAA) and an opportunistic defense which has forced 24 turnovers on the season (sixth in NCAA). The team's one Achilles' heel has been its pass protection which has allowed 44 sacks – ranking 119th out of 123 teams nationally.
The Bears are led by dynamic quarterback Jason Shelley who is passing for 3,068 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for 10 touchdowns. Wide receiver Tyrone Scott is one of the top playmakers nationally, tallying 60 receptions for 1,039 yards and eight touchdowns. Defensively, Tyla Wiltz has a team-high 90 tackles on the season, including 12.5 tackles for loss on the season along with three forced fumbles. Kevin Ellis paces the team with 8.0 sacks while Montrae Braswell solidifies the secondary with 11 pass breakups and four interceptions.
Saturday's contest marks the seventh meeting between the two programs with Missouri State holding a 6-0 advantage. The Skyhawks have traveled to Springfield four times previously but have yet to pick up a win, most recently dropping a 24-14 decision on Sept. 12, 2009.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Connor Onion (play-by-play) and Barrett Brooks (analyst) calling the action. Fans can also tune into WCMT Radio 1410 AM/100.5 FM to hear John Hatler (play-by-play) and Julius McNair (analyst) for the radio broadcast. Those links – in addition to live stats – can be found at the top of the page.
The No. 13 ranked University of Tennessee at Martin football team will open play in the 2021 NCAA Division I Football Championship with a first round matchup against Missouri Valley Football Conference runner-up and No. 10 ranked Missouri State on Saturday, Nov. 27. Kickoff from Robert W. Plaster Stadium in Springfield, Mo. is scheduled for 3 p.m. on ESPN+.
The Skyhawks (9-2) enter the postseason as the reigning Ohio Valley Conference champions after posting a 5-1 league record and marks the second OVC title in the program's history – joining a championship run in 2006. UT Martin is making its second postseason appearance in the Division I era, joining the 16-team FCS field in 2006 with a matchup against Southern Illinois (L, 36-30).
UT Martin won a program-record nine straight game during its championship run while becoming just the fourth team in the program's 92-year history to reach the nine-win plateau. In addition to the team's success in conference play, the Skyhawks picked up four non-conference victories and enter the playoffs statistically ranked in the top-25 nationally in 10 team categories and eight individual categories – including sacks allowed (0.91, sixth), rushing offense (231.3, eighth), winning percentage (81.8, ninth) and interceptions (14, 11th) to name a few.
Skyhawk head coach Jason Simpson was recently named a finalist for the 2021 Eddie Robinson Award – presented annually to the national FCS coach of the year - and enters the contest on the brink of a career milestone in search of his 100th victory. Sitting at 99-79 in 16 seasons, Simpson ranks as the OVC's longest tenured head coach and active wins leader while ranking tied for fourth all-time on the career leaderboard with former Western Kentucky head coach Jimmy Feix.
Missouri State (8-3) finished as runner-up in the powerhouse MVFC which placed six teams in the playoff field with a 6-2 league mark. The Bears knocked off three ranked opponents this season while featuring a potent scoring offense which averages 34.5 points per game (15th in NCAA) and an opportunistic defense which has forced 24 turnovers on the season (sixth in NCAA). The team's one Achilles' heel has been its pass protection which has allowed 44 sacks – ranking 119th out of 123 teams nationally.
The Bears are led by dynamic quarterback Jason Shelley who is passing for 3,068 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for 10 touchdowns. Wide receiver Tyrone Scott is one of the top playmakers nationally, tallying 60 receptions for 1,039 yards and eight touchdowns. Defensively, Tyla Wiltz has a team-high 90 tackles on the season, including 12.5 tackles for loss on the season along with three forced fumbles. Kevin Ellis paces the team with 8.0 sacks while Montrae Braswell solidifies the secondary with 11 pass breakups and four interceptions.
Saturday's contest marks the seventh meeting between the two programs with Missouri State holding a 6-0 advantage. The Skyhawks have traveled to Springfield four times previously but have yet to pick up a win, most recently dropping a 24-14 decision on Sept. 12, 2009.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Connor Onion (play-by-play) and Barrett Brooks (analyst) calling the action. Fans can also tune into WCMT Radio 1410 AM/100.5 FM to hear John Hatler (play-by-play) and Julius McNair (analyst) for the radio broadcast. Those links – in addition to live stats – can be found at the top of the page.
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