Sunday, March 7
Martin, Tenn.
1 p.m.
UT Martin
vs
Eastern Illinois
UT MARTIN FOOTBALL TO HOST EASTERN ILLINOIS FOR HOME OPENER ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON
3/4/2021 8:30:00 AM | Football
The University of Tennessee at Martin football team will host Ohio Valley Conference foe Eastern Illinois on Sunday, March 7 for its home opener. Kickoff from Hardy Graham Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
The game serves as a matchup of two of the best OVC programs in recent history. Since 2008, UT Martin (69) and Eastern Illinois (65) rank third and fourth, respectively in league victories during the span. The contest also serves as the 26th meeting between the two programs since 1995 with the Panthers holding a 15-10 series advantage. Despite trailing in the overall series, the Skyhawks have won seven of the last 10 matchups against the Panthers.
The Skyhawks (0-1, 0-1 OVC) dropped their season opener last week at Murray State, falling on the road 14-10. UT Martin found its scoring from a 34-yard field goal by Tyler Larco and a one-yard rushing touchdown by Dresser Winn in the setback. UT Martin boasts four Preseason All-OVC selections in running back Peyton Logan, wide receiver Colton Dowell, defensive tackle Austin Pickett and safety JaQuez Akins.
Winn picked up his fourth OVC weekly honor of his career by being named OVC Specialist of the Week after making his collegiate debut as the team's punter against Murray State. He tallied seven punts for 299 yards, averaging 42.7 yards/per punt with a game-long of 58 yards (the longest punt by a Skyhawk since 2017). Three of his punts went for 50 yards or more and three were downed inside the 20-yard line – including a pair on the two-yard line (with zero touchbacks).
UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson enters his 15th season at the helm of the Skyhawks as the program's all-time wins leader and the league's longest tenured head coach. Simpson boasts an all-time mark of 87-74 and ranks sixth in OVC history in career victories.
Eastern Illinois (0-1, 0-1 OVC) dropped its season-opener at home to Southeast Missouri, 47-7. The Panthers are looking to take the next step under second-year head coach Adam Cushing after going 1-11 in 2019. The Panthers tallied one touchdown last week as Kendi Young boasted 11 rushing attempts for 88 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, the team was led by Anthony Shockey and Raymond Crittenden with nine tackles each and 3.5 combined tackles for loss.
The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ while Tom Britt (play-by-play), Chris Brinkley (analyst) and John Hatler (analyst) will be on the call locally on WCMT Radio 1410 AM/100.5 FM. Those links - in addition to a link for live stats - can be found at the top of the webpage.
Â
The game serves as a matchup of two of the best OVC programs in recent history. Since 2008, UT Martin (69) and Eastern Illinois (65) rank third and fourth, respectively in league victories during the span. The contest also serves as the 26th meeting between the two programs since 1995 with the Panthers holding a 15-10 series advantage. Despite trailing in the overall series, the Skyhawks have won seven of the last 10 matchups against the Panthers.
The Skyhawks (0-1, 0-1 OVC) dropped their season opener last week at Murray State, falling on the road 14-10. UT Martin found its scoring from a 34-yard field goal by Tyler Larco and a one-yard rushing touchdown by Dresser Winn in the setback. UT Martin boasts four Preseason All-OVC selections in running back Peyton Logan, wide receiver Colton Dowell, defensive tackle Austin Pickett and safety JaQuez Akins.
Winn picked up his fourth OVC weekly honor of his career by being named OVC Specialist of the Week after making his collegiate debut as the team's punter against Murray State. He tallied seven punts for 299 yards, averaging 42.7 yards/per punt with a game-long of 58 yards (the longest punt by a Skyhawk since 2017). Three of his punts went for 50 yards or more and three were downed inside the 20-yard line – including a pair on the two-yard line (with zero touchbacks).
UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson enters his 15th season at the helm of the Skyhawks as the program's all-time wins leader and the league's longest tenured head coach. Simpson boasts an all-time mark of 87-74 and ranks sixth in OVC history in career victories.
Eastern Illinois (0-1, 0-1 OVC) dropped its season-opener at home to Southeast Missouri, 47-7. The Panthers are looking to take the next step under second-year head coach Adam Cushing after going 1-11 in 2019. The Panthers tallied one touchdown last week as Kendi Young boasted 11 rushing attempts for 88 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, the team was led by Anthony Shockey and Raymond Crittenden with nine tackles each and 3.5 combined tackles for loss.
The game will be streamed live on ESPN+ while Tom Britt (play-by-play), Chris Brinkley (analyst) and John Hatler (analyst) will be on the call locally on WCMT Radio 1410 AM/100.5 FM. Those links - in addition to a link for live stats - can be found at the top of the webpage.
Â
Players Mentioned
S
/ Football
WR
/ Football
K/P
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
QB/P
/ FootballSkyhawk Sports Talk - Season 3, Episode 4
Wednesday, September 17
FB: Southern Illinois Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, September 14
2025 UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame Induction
Sunday, September 14
Skyhawk Sports Talk - Season 3, Episode 3
Tuesday, September 09