Saturday, September 16
Martin, Tenn.
6 pm
UT Martin
vs
Houston Christian
UT MARTIN FOOTBALL PLAYS HOST TO HOUSTON CHRISTIAN ON SATURDAY EVENING
9/11/2023 3:28:00 PM | Football
*Weekly Interview with Jason Simpson is available below*
The University of Tennessee at Martin football team returns home for another contest under the lights of Hardy Graham Stadium when playing host to Southland Conference foe Houston Christian on Saturday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. and will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+.
The Skyhawks (1-1) picked up their first win of the season last week after never trailing Missouri State and eventually pulling out a 38-31 victory in the team's home opener. UT Martin won the game on the strength of the team's offensive line, rushing attack and forced turnovers. The squad rushed for 405 yards in the contest – marking the highest total in the last 171 games – while the defense forced a pair of turnovers.
Running back Sam Franklin posted one of the best individual performances in program history after rushing for 259 yards on 20 carries while posting three touchdowns on the ground. His yardage total ranked just 13 yards short of the program's all-time record while recording the second three-touchdown performance of his career. For his work, he was named both Big South-OVC Football Offensive Player of the Week and to the CFPA National Performer of the Week honorable mention team. Franklin currently leads the FCS in rushing yards (305) and rushing yards per game (152.5) while ranking third nationally in rushing yards per carry (9.53) and sixth in touchdowns (three). His 259 yards also rank as a FCS single-game high for the 2023 season.
Junior defensive end Daylan Dotson feasted on the Huskies offense last year, earning FCS National Defensive Player of the Week honors after tallying five tackles, 2.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries – including one recovered for a touchdown – against Houston Christian. Dotson is coming off a strong outing against Missouri State in which he recorded his fourth double-digit tackle performance while adding a 2.5 TFLs and a fumble recovery.
HCU (1-1) enters the contest having split its first two contests with a 66-0 victory against Arkansas Baptist followed by a 52-22 setback at FBS foe Western Kentucky. The Huskies bring a strong offensive attack into the game after averaging 44.0 points and 420.5 yards per game in the inaugural season for head coach Braxton Harris.
Saturday's contest marks the second meeting in series history between the two programs. UT Martin won the inaugural matchup last season, picking up a 52-28 road victory behind a strong rushing attack which saw the Skyhawks rush for 346 yards and five touchdowns while defensively the squad forced seven turnovers.
The game will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+ while fans locally can tune into the Skyhawk Sports Network to hear Davis Gregory (play-by-play), John Hatler (analyst) and Chris Brinkley (analyst) call the action. Games are broadcast on WCMT "Talk and News You Can Use!" with simulcasts on 1410 AM, 100.5 FM, 92.7 FM, 96.1 FM, 99.7 FM and 103.3 FM. Those links – in addition to live stats – can be found at the top of the page.
The University of Tennessee at Martin football team returns home for another contest under the lights of Hardy Graham Stadium when playing host to Southland Conference foe Houston Christian on Saturday, Sept. 16. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. and will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+.
The Skyhawks (1-1) picked up their first win of the season last week after never trailing Missouri State and eventually pulling out a 38-31 victory in the team's home opener. UT Martin won the game on the strength of the team's offensive line, rushing attack and forced turnovers. The squad rushed for 405 yards in the contest – marking the highest total in the last 171 games – while the defense forced a pair of turnovers.
Running back Sam Franklin posted one of the best individual performances in program history after rushing for 259 yards on 20 carries while posting three touchdowns on the ground. His yardage total ranked just 13 yards short of the program's all-time record while recording the second three-touchdown performance of his career. For his work, he was named both Big South-OVC Football Offensive Player of the Week and to the CFPA National Performer of the Week honorable mention team. Franklin currently leads the FCS in rushing yards (305) and rushing yards per game (152.5) while ranking third nationally in rushing yards per carry (9.53) and sixth in touchdowns (three). His 259 yards also rank as a FCS single-game high for the 2023 season.
Junior defensive end Daylan Dotson feasted on the Huskies offense last year, earning FCS National Defensive Player of the Week honors after tallying five tackles, 2.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries – including one recovered for a touchdown – against Houston Christian. Dotson is coming off a strong outing against Missouri State in which he recorded his fourth double-digit tackle performance while adding a 2.5 TFLs and a fumble recovery.
HCU (1-1) enters the contest having split its first two contests with a 66-0 victory against Arkansas Baptist followed by a 52-22 setback at FBS foe Western Kentucky. The Huskies bring a strong offensive attack into the game after averaging 44.0 points and 420.5 yards per game in the inaugural season for head coach Braxton Harris.
Saturday's contest marks the second meeting in series history between the two programs. UT Martin won the inaugural matchup last season, picking up a 52-28 road victory behind a strong rushing attack which saw the Skyhawks rush for 346 yards and five touchdowns while defensively the squad forced seven turnovers.
The game will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+ while fans locally can tune into the Skyhawk Sports Network to hear Davis Gregory (play-by-play), John Hatler (analyst) and Chris Brinkley (analyst) call the action. Games are broadcast on WCMT "Talk and News You Can Use!" with simulcasts on 1410 AM, 100.5 FM, 92.7 FM, 96.1 FM, 99.7 FM and 103.3 FM. Those links – in addition to live stats – can be found at the top of the page.
Players Mentioned
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