Saturday, October 1
Martin, Tenn.
2 p.m.
UT Martin
vs
Tennessee Tech
NO. 15 UT MARTIN FOOTBALL TO HOST TENNESSEE TECH FOR HOMECOMING MATCHUP
9/26/2022 6:55:00 PM | Football
**Jason Simpson's Weekly Press Conference is below**
The No. 15 ranked University of Tennessee at Martin football team will host its Homecoming matchup this weekend when playing Ohio Valley Conference rival Tennessee Tech on Saturday, Oct. 1. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. and will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+.
The contest serves as the first of two 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 Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech and UT Martin. The Skyhawks have claimed at least a share of the Sgt. York Trophy nine times since 2007 – the most of any program – while owning a 32-13 mark in the series which ranks as the best amongst the three schools.
The Skyhawks (2-2, 1-0 OVC) are coming off a dominating performance against Lindenwood in last week's conference opener, scoring 35 points in the second half en route to a 56-26 victory. The team accumulated 541 yards of total offense while averaging 9.8 yards per game in just 55 offensive snaps. The ground attack stole the show with 343 rushing yards – the team's highest rushing output since the 2015 season – while tallying five touchdowns. Meanwhile on defense, UT Martin forced a pair of turnovers, including a 41-yard interception return for a touchdown by Oshae Baker.
The running back tandem of Zak Wallace (OVC Offensive Player of the Week) and Sam Franklin (OVC Newcomer of the Week) posted a pair of dazzling performances in the win. Wallace racked up 204 rushing yards along with two touchdowns – including a record-breaking 97-yard scamper. Franklin exploded for three touchdowns to become the eighth player in UT Martin history to notch the trifecta.
UT Martin enters the contest ranking first in the OVC in scoring offense (33.8 ppg), rushing offense (178.5 ypg), pass efficiency (144.8), first downs (21.5), sacks by (14), sacks against (one) and turnover margin (+3). The Skyhawks also rank second in scoring defense (29.0 ppg), total offense (424.8 ypg), rushing defense (107.5 ypg) and redzone offense (91.7).
Tennessee Tech (1-2, 0-0 OVC) is making its conference debut after finishing last season 1-5 in the league ranks. The Golden Eagles rank second in the league in rushing offense (160.7 ypg) and pass defense (242.0 ypg). The squad is led offensively by former OVC Freshman of the Year Jeremiah Oatsvall who has completed 49-of-78 passes for 557 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions. The mobile quarterback also has 154 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. Tailback David Gist also shoulders a heavy load with 44 carries for 194 yards and two touchdowns.
The two programs have met 43 times previously with Tennessee Tech holding a narrow 22-19-2 advantage. UT Martin has controlled the series in recent history with the Skyhawks winning the last nine games – including last season's November matchup by a score of 42-3 which clinched the team's OVC championship.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with John Hatler (play-by-play), Chris Brinkley (analyst) and Eddie Suiter (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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The No. 15 ranked University of Tennessee at Martin football team will host its Homecoming matchup this weekend when playing Ohio Valley Conference rival Tennessee Tech on Saturday, Oct. 1. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. and will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+.
The contest serves as the first of two 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 Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech and UT Martin. The Skyhawks have claimed at least a share of the Sgt. York Trophy nine times since 2007 – the most of any program – while owning a 32-13 mark in the series which ranks as the best amongst the three schools.
The Skyhawks (2-2, 1-0 OVC) are coming off a dominating performance against Lindenwood in last week's conference opener, scoring 35 points in the second half en route to a 56-26 victory. The team accumulated 541 yards of total offense while averaging 9.8 yards per game in just 55 offensive snaps. The ground attack stole the show with 343 rushing yards – the team's highest rushing output since the 2015 season – while tallying five touchdowns. Meanwhile on defense, UT Martin forced a pair of turnovers, including a 41-yard interception return for a touchdown by Oshae Baker.
The running back tandem of Zak Wallace (OVC Offensive Player of the Week) and Sam Franklin (OVC Newcomer of the Week) posted a pair of dazzling performances in the win. Wallace racked up 204 rushing yards along with two touchdowns – including a record-breaking 97-yard scamper. Franklin exploded for three touchdowns to become the eighth player in UT Martin history to notch the trifecta.
UT Martin enters the contest ranking first in the OVC in scoring offense (33.8 ppg), rushing offense (178.5 ypg), pass efficiency (144.8), first downs (21.5), sacks by (14), sacks against (one) and turnover margin (+3). The Skyhawks also rank second in scoring defense (29.0 ppg), total offense (424.8 ypg), rushing defense (107.5 ypg) and redzone offense (91.7).
Tennessee Tech (1-2, 0-0 OVC) is making its conference debut after finishing last season 1-5 in the league ranks. The Golden Eagles rank second in the league in rushing offense (160.7 ypg) and pass defense (242.0 ypg). The squad is led offensively by former OVC Freshman of the Year Jeremiah Oatsvall who has completed 49-of-78 passes for 557 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions. The mobile quarterback also has 154 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. Tailback David Gist also shoulders a heavy load with 44 carries for 194 yards and two touchdowns.
The two programs have met 43 times previously with Tennessee Tech holding a narrow 22-19-2 advantage. UT Martin has controlled the series in recent history with the Skyhawks winning the last nine games – including last season's November matchup by a score of 42-3 which clinched the team's OVC championship.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with John Hatler (play-by-play), Chris Brinkley (analyst) and Eddie Suiter (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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