Saturday, November 1
Charleston, Ill.
2 p.m.
UT Martin
at
Eastern Illinois
UT Martin Football Returns To Action With Road Trip to Eastern Illinois
10/28/2025 5:00:00 PM | Football
The University of Tennessee at Martin football program returns to action this weekend with a road matchup against longtime OVC-Big South Football Association rival Eastern Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 1. Action from O'Brien Field is slated to kickoff at 2 p.m. exclusively on ESPN+.
The Skyhawks (3-5, 3-1 OVC-Big South) enter the contest looking to build off its strong play as off later while coming off of the open week. UT Martin has won three of its last four contests and currently sits one game out of first place in the Association standings. Most recently the Skyhawks posted a dominant win over Gardner-Webb (37-7) in which the offense pounded the ball for a season-high in rushing yards while forcing four turnovers and converting three field goal attempts in the 30-point victory.
It was a record-setting day for the Skyhawks in their last outing as quarterback Jase Bauer and cornerback JaMichael McGoy, Jr. each etched themselves in the program record books. Bauer set a new single-game record for passing completion percentage after converting on 15-of-16 pass attempts for an impressive 93.7 percent mark. McGoy joined in the action by setting a new program benchmark for career pass breakups by bringing his all-time mark up to 37.
This matchup features two of the OVC's most decorated teams over the past two decades. UT Martin has won five championships in 2006, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 – along with three other top-two finishes – while compiling 96 conference victories since 2006. During that same span, Eastern Illinois ranks second in the league with 76 victories while also winning titles in 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2013.
UT Martin has been strong coming off a bye week under the direction of head coach Jason Simpson. Under his direction, the Skyhawks are 11-5 off a bye week while posting a 10-3 mark against conference foes.
Eastern Illinois (3-5, 2-3 OVC-Big South) is looking to snap a three-game losing streak when the Skyhawks come to town for Family Weekend. Most recently the Panthers dropped a heartbreaker on the road to Charleston Southern as a 13-point fourth quarter lead evaporated before a potential game-winning field goal try was blocked to seal the 17-16 setback.
The all-time series between the two programs is tied up at 15 wins apiece. UT Martin has held the upper hand in recent matchups with six consecutive victories against Eastern Illinois dating back to 2019. The last time the two programs squared off in Charleston, it was an overtime two-point conversion which proved to be the difference in the 28-27 victory for the Skyhawks.
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) and Chuck Hammer (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.
Â
The Skyhawks (3-5, 3-1 OVC-Big South) enter the contest looking to build off its strong play as off later while coming off of the open week. UT Martin has won three of its last four contests and currently sits one game out of first place in the Association standings. Most recently the Skyhawks posted a dominant win over Gardner-Webb (37-7) in which the offense pounded the ball for a season-high in rushing yards while forcing four turnovers and converting three field goal attempts in the 30-point victory.
It was a record-setting day for the Skyhawks in their last outing as quarterback Jase Bauer and cornerback JaMichael McGoy, Jr. each etched themselves in the program record books. Bauer set a new single-game record for passing completion percentage after converting on 15-of-16 pass attempts for an impressive 93.7 percent mark. McGoy joined in the action by setting a new program benchmark for career pass breakups by bringing his all-time mark up to 37.
This matchup features two of the OVC's most decorated teams over the past two decades. UT Martin has won five championships in 2006, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 – along with three other top-two finishes – while compiling 96 conference victories since 2006. During that same span, Eastern Illinois ranks second in the league with 76 victories while also winning titles in 2006, 2009, 2012 and 2013.
UT Martin has been strong coming off a bye week under the direction of head coach Jason Simpson. Under his direction, the Skyhawks are 11-5 off a bye week while posting a 10-3 mark against conference foes.
Eastern Illinois (3-5, 2-3 OVC-Big South) is looking to snap a three-game losing streak when the Skyhawks come to town for Family Weekend. Most recently the Panthers dropped a heartbreaker on the road to Charleston Southern as a 13-point fourth quarter lead evaporated before a potential game-winning field goal try was blocked to seal the 17-16 setback.
The all-time series between the two programs is tied up at 15 wins apiece. UT Martin has held the upper hand in recent matchups with six consecutive victories against Eastern Illinois dating back to 2019. The last time the two programs squared off in Charleston, it was an overtime two-point conversion which proved to be the difference in the 28-27 victory for the Skyhawks.
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) and Chuck Hammer (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.
Â
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
CB
/ FootballSkyhawk Sports Talk - Season 3, Episode 10
Tuesday, October 28
Skyhawk Sports Talk - Season 3, Episode 9
Tuesday, October 21
FB: Gardner-Webb Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, October 18
Skyhawk Sports Talk - Season 3, Episode 8
Tuesday, October 14