UT Martin Runs Past TSU for Fourth Straight Win

Saturday, November 8

Martin, Tenn.

1 p.m.

UT Martin

5-5 , 5-1

Tennessee State

2-8 , 0-6

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Tennessee State

UT Martin

UT Martin Runs Past TSU for Fourth Straight Win

11/8/2025 7:19:00 PM | Football

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MARTIN, Tenn. — The University of Tennessee at Martin football team rushed to its fourth straight win after knocking off OVC-Big South foe Tennessee State by a 26-7 decision at Hardy Graham Stadium.

The Skyhawks (5-5, 5-1 OVC-Big South) moved to .500 in the win column with their fourth straight victory after dominating the ground attack in both phases. UT Martin set season highs in rushing yards (292) and rushing yards against (-12) while adding three touchdowns on the ground.

The running back tandem of Tommy Ansley (118 yards) and Chris Franklin (111 yards) became the first pair to eclipse 100 yards in the same game since Zak Wallace and Sam Franklin (Chris' brother) accomplished the feat against Houston Christian back in 2022 after their career-highs in rushing yards. Franklin's big day was highlighted by a 51-yard rushing touchdown while quarterback Jase Bauer found the endzone twice for the third time this season.

Cade Hechter added a 26-yard field goal and was perfect on three extra points. UT Martin also recorded a safety midway through the third quarter when its defensive front swarmed Tennessee State punter Mark Shenouda and Trey Cotton ejected the blocked kick through the back of the endzone.

"The plan wasn't to run the ball 53 times, we wanted to be balanced, but the game progressed and you saw they had a hard time moving the ball against our offense, so we tried to stay out of negative plays," UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said. "To hold the ball for over 39 minutes – I think it's two weeks in a row that we have been able to do that – is a team effort. We did what we had to do to win the game and I'm proud of the kids. Now we are sitting at 5-1 in the conference and control our own destiny with two games to go."

UT Martin's defense stifled the Tigers (2–8, 0–6), holding them to just 153 total yards, negative-12 rushing yards and just nine first downs. Tennessee State's only score came in the fourth quarter on a one-yard run by Taveon Porter.

Senior defensive back JaMichael McGoy, Jr. posted a big afternoon with six tackles and two pass breakups. With his work in the secondary, he brought his career passes defended mark up to 46 – setting a new program record and surpassing former teammate Oshae Baker (45) who set the previous mark last season. Tah Mac Bright Banda also notched six tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss – including a monster nine-yard sack in the second quarter. Nose tackle Toby Camp also had a nice day with two tackles for loss and a pass deflection while Duston Chavis added 1.5 TFLs in a breakout game.

Tennessee State struggled throughout the contest before the first three quarters of play before making a change at quarterback in the fourth period. Second-string quarterback Jonathan Palmer came in and completed 11-of-15 pass attempts for 89 yards in the period to jump-start the squad and get them on the board with a scoring drive but the deficit was too great. Despite the offensive struggles, the Tigers tallied eight tackles for loss behind dynamic pass-rusher James Stewart who notched a game-high 3.5 tackles for loss in addition to his nine total tackles.

UT Martin returns to action next week with its home finale when playing host to Charleston Southern for Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 15.