UT MARTIN FOOTBALL LOOKS IMPRESSIVE IN HOME DEBUT, PICKING UP FIRST WIN OF SEASON AGAINST EIU 28-15

Sunday, March 7

Martin, Tenn.

1 p.m.

UT Martin

1-1 , 1-1

Eastern Illinois

0-2 , 0-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Eastern Illinois

UT Martin

UT MARTIN FOOTBALL LOOKS IMPRESSIVE IN HOME DEBUT, PICKING UP FIRST WIN OF SEASON AGAINST EIU 28-15

3/7/2021 8:57:00 PM | Football

Box Score PDF Postgame Press Conference Photo Gallery

MARTIN, Tenn. – After a long 16-month hiatus, the University of Tennessee at Martin football team finally got the chance to play in front of its home fans on Sunday afternoon and put on a show, scoring 21 unanswered points to open the contest en route to a 28-15 victory over Ohio Valley Conference foe Eastern Illinois.

The Skyhawks (1-1, 1-1 OVC) and Panthers (0-2, 0-2 OVC) were originally scheduled to play today's contest back on Sunday, Feb. 21 but Mother Nature had other ideas as heavy amounts of snow forced the game's postponement to the league's built in make-up week. Fast forward two weeks to a beautiful sunny and 61-degree afternoon, and the Skyhawks were able to treat their faith fans to several highlight moments.

UT Martin struck first in the contest as John Bachus III connected with Rodney Williams II for one of two touchdown passes of the day – this one coming on a 21-yard pass to cap off a six-play, 72-yard drive late in the opening quarter.

The Skyhawks then added two more touchdowns in a matter of minutes in the second quarter. After a missed 53-yard field goal attempt by EIU, UT Martin began its first drive of the second quarter on its 35. The Skyhawks would methodically move the ball down the field with a nine-play scoring drive totaling 65 yards before punctuating it with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Bachus to Donnell Williams for the 14-point advantage. Then just two plays later, the defense would join in the action by getting on the scoreboard as John Ford tallied his first career interception on the 50-yard line and returned it to the house for a touchdown making it 21-0.

Eastern Illinois finally broke into the scoring column just before halftime as Harry Woodbery found Matt Judd for a six-yard touchdown with 2:11 to play.

UT Martin posted its final points on the board midway through the third quarter when the pair of Bachus and Rodney Williams II connected for the second time of the day on a 15-yard touchdown.

The Panthers looked to rally in the fourth quarter as Woodbery found Cooks for a 45-yard strike to bring the score within 15 points before a safety off a blocked punt made the contest 28-15. While it looked like EIU had stolen the momentum, the Skyhawks settled down and forced three turnovers on downs on the final three possessions of the game to secure the victory.

Gallery: (3-7-2021) FB vs. Eastern Illinois

"Wins are hard to come by and it was great to get back in that locker room and sing that celebration song together," UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said. "There were spurts of the game where we looked so good – as good as any team we have had here. Then there are things that you aren't so happy with, but they are a lot easier to correct when you win."

UT Martin tallied 326 yards of total offense – including 269 yards through the air and three touchdowns. Bachus completed 24-of-36 passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns. Rodney Williams paced the receiving core with eight receptions for 95 yards and two touchdowns while Donnell Williams tallied four receptions for 66 yards and score.

"It was great to see those guys get involved today," Simpson said. "We have had a lot of good receivers over the years, but I don't know if there is anyone that I get more satisfaction out of watching than group of Colton (Dowell), Rodney and Donnell because they are program guys that have practiced every day and are great ambassadors to our program and university. When they make plays, it does my heart good to see."

Defensively, the Skyhawks were menacing in the backfield with 12.0 tackles for loss while also tallying eight pass break-ups. Chrishun Jackson and Deven Sims led the team with nine tackles each while the trio of D'Carrious Stephens, Takeem Young and JaQuez Akins each recorded six on the afternoon. Sims and Akins combined to tally five pass breakups while the trio of Young, Korbin Harmon and Austin Pickett each notched at last 1.5 tackles for loss.

"Defensively, that's now two weeks in a row that they have held teams to two scores and today they scored on defense," Simpson continued. "We will definitely take that."

UT Martin will return to action on Sunday, March 14 when playing host to Jacksonville State at home. Kickoff from Hardy Graham Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.