Saturday, October 26
Martin, Tenn.
2 p.m.
UT Martin
vs
Eastern Illinois
Skyhawks Host Eastern Illinois For Family Weekend
10/22/2024 1:58:00 PM | Football
The University of Tennessee at Martin football program returns home fresh off its bye week with a Big South-OVC Football Association showdown against long-time rival Eastern Illinois for Family Weekend on Saturday, Oct. 26. Kickoff from Hardy M. Graham Stadium is slated for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
The Skyhawks (4-3, 2-1 Big South-OVC) enter the contest having won three consecutive games leading into their bye week. UT Martin is hoping to close out the month of October on a high note after picking up wins over Kennesaw State, Gardner-Webb and Western Illinois in the past few weeks. While the Skyhawks jumped into the national polls for the first time at No. 25 in the Stats Perform Top 25 prior to the bye week, the squad dropped out after the layoff but is still receiving votes in both national polls.
UT Martin leads the Big South-OVC in 10 statistical categories heading into this week's contest. The Skyhawks sit first in third down conversion percentage defense (27.1 percent), defensive touchdowns (two), first downs defense (127), fewest interceptions (four), punt returns (15.1), rushing defense (94.3 ypg), rushing offense (172.9 ypg), team passing efficiency (137.7), time of possession (32:32) and turnovers lost (eight).
Individually, running back Patrick Smith leads the association in all-purpose yards (198.3), rush yards per carry (6.1), rushing touchdowns (10), rushing yards (749), total touchdowns (10) and rushing yards per game (107.0). Meanwhile, Jaylon Sharpe paces the league with 11.0 tackles for loss while Chris Hunter, Jr. (three interceptions) and JaMichael McGoy, Jr. (10 passes defended) also sit atop association leaderboards.
The match features two of the Ohio Valley Conference's most decorated teams over the past decade and a half. UT Martin has won four championships in 2006, 2021, 2022 and 2023 – along with three other top-two finishes – while compiling 89 conference victories since 2006. During that same span, Eastern Illinois ranks second in the league with 72 victories while also winning titles in 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2013.
With both teams coming off bye weeks, Eastern Illinois (1-6, 0-3 Big South-OVC) is looking to snap a five-game losing streak after a quick reset. The Panthers have struggled to find their offense firepower after ranking as one of the top offenses in a breakout 2023 campaign while producing just 15.7 points and 318.1 yards of total offense per game this season. Preseason Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Pierce Holley commands the offense by completing 143-of-245 pass attempts for 1,684 yards and seven touchdowns while linebacker Anthony Shockey paces the team with 59 total tackles.
UT Martin is looking to even the all-time series with Eastern Illinois holding a narrow 15-14 advantage. The Skyhawks have taken control of the series in recent history with wins in seven of their last eight meetings – including five straight matchups since 2019.
The game will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+ while locally fans 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.
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The Skyhawks (4-3, 2-1 Big South-OVC) enter the contest having won three consecutive games leading into their bye week. UT Martin is hoping to close out the month of October on a high note after picking up wins over Kennesaw State, Gardner-Webb and Western Illinois in the past few weeks. While the Skyhawks jumped into the national polls for the first time at No. 25 in the Stats Perform Top 25 prior to the bye week, the squad dropped out after the layoff but is still receiving votes in both national polls.
UT Martin leads the Big South-OVC in 10 statistical categories heading into this week's contest. The Skyhawks sit first in third down conversion percentage defense (27.1 percent), defensive touchdowns (two), first downs defense (127), fewest interceptions (four), punt returns (15.1), rushing defense (94.3 ypg), rushing offense (172.9 ypg), team passing efficiency (137.7), time of possession (32:32) and turnovers lost (eight).
Individually, running back Patrick Smith leads the association in all-purpose yards (198.3), rush yards per carry (6.1), rushing touchdowns (10), rushing yards (749), total touchdowns (10) and rushing yards per game (107.0). Meanwhile, Jaylon Sharpe paces the league with 11.0 tackles for loss while Chris Hunter, Jr. (three interceptions) and JaMichael McGoy, Jr. (10 passes defended) also sit atop association leaderboards.
The match features two of the Ohio Valley Conference's most decorated teams over the past decade and a half. UT Martin has won four championships in 2006, 2021, 2022 and 2023 – along with three other top-two finishes – while compiling 89 conference victories since 2006. During that same span, Eastern Illinois ranks second in the league with 72 victories while also winning titles in 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2013.
With both teams coming off bye weeks, Eastern Illinois (1-6, 0-3 Big South-OVC) is looking to snap a five-game losing streak after a quick reset. The Panthers have struggled to find their offense firepower after ranking as one of the top offenses in a breakout 2023 campaign while producing just 15.7 points and 318.1 yards of total offense per game this season. Preseason Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Pierce Holley commands the offense by completing 143-of-245 pass attempts for 1,684 yards and seven touchdowns while linebacker Anthony Shockey paces the team with 59 total tackles.
UT Martin is looking to even the all-time series with Eastern Illinois holding a narrow 15-14 advantage. The Skyhawks have taken control of the series in recent history with wins in seven of their last eight meetings – including five straight matchups since 2019.
The game will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+ while locally fans 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.
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