Saturday, September 6
El Paso, Texas
8 p.m.
UT Martin
at
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
UTEP
UT Martin Football Travels To UTEP For Second Straight FBS Matchup
9/2/2025 9:35:00 AM | Football
For the second consecutive week the University of Tennessee at Martin football team squares off against a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent when traveling to the western tip of Texas for a twilight matchup against Conference USA foe UTEP on Saturday, Sept. 6. Kickoff from the Sun Bowl is slated for 8 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
UT Martin (0-1) dropped its season opener last week when falling on the road to Big 12 foe Oklahoma State by a final margin of 27-7. The Skyhawks went head-to-head with the Cowboys for all four quarters – including taking a 10-point deficit into halftime against the Power 4 program. The visitors used trickeration to get on the scoreboard as a wide receiver pass marked the team's first offensive production of the season while on defense the squad racked up nine tackles for loss.
This contest marks the second of three FBS matchups for the Skyhawks this season. After dropping the season opener to Oklahoma State (Big 12), UT Martin squares off against UTEP (Conference USA) in Week 2 before later traveling to Missouri State (Conference USA) in Week 4. This marks the second time UT Martin has played three FBS opponents in a single season – matching the 2016 campaign for the Skyhawks which traveled to Cincinnati, Hawai'i and Georgia State.
The Skyhawks saw 26 different players make their school debuts in the season opener against Oklahoma State. UT Martin had players earn their first start in their debut including Jase Bauer (QB), John Gentry (RB), Phaizon Wilson (WR), Drake Martinez (TE), Eric Lane (LG) and Tah Mac Bright Banda (LB) while 20 others saw action as reserves or on special teams.
When the Skyhawks touch down in the Lonestar State, it will mark a homecoming for six members of the program. The group of Moses Adelowo (Aubrey), Tah Mac Bright Banda (Houston), Elijah Bowser (Houston), John Gentry (Houston), Drake Martinez (Houston) and Preston Yarber (Canton) are all Texas natives.
UTEP (0-1) dropped its season opener on the road to Utah State by a final score of 28-16. The Miners are coached by Scotty Walden who is in his second season. The Skyhawks and Walden have history at his previous coaching stop at Austin Peay (2020-23) with UT Martin getting the best of his Governors squad in two meetings. UT Martin picked up a "walk-off" field goal victory in the spring 2020-21 season before blocking a potential game-winning field goal by the Govs just seven months later to highlight the first of four consecutive conference championship campaigns.
Saturday's contest marks the first meeting between the two programs and eighth meeting against a Conference USA member. The Skyhawks are 2-5 against the conference all-time while picking up FBS victories against Memphis (2012) and Kennesaw State (2024).
The game will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+ with James Westling (play-by-play) and Leger Douzable (analyst) with the online coverage. 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
UT Martin (0-1) dropped its season opener last week when falling on the road to Big 12 foe Oklahoma State by a final margin of 27-7. The Skyhawks went head-to-head with the Cowboys for all four quarters – including taking a 10-point deficit into halftime against the Power 4 program. The visitors used trickeration to get on the scoreboard as a wide receiver pass marked the team's first offensive production of the season while on defense the squad racked up nine tackles for loss.
This contest marks the second of three FBS matchups for the Skyhawks this season. After dropping the season opener to Oklahoma State (Big 12), UT Martin squares off against UTEP (Conference USA) in Week 2 before later traveling to Missouri State (Conference USA) in Week 4. This marks the second time UT Martin has played three FBS opponents in a single season – matching the 2016 campaign for the Skyhawks which traveled to Cincinnati, Hawai'i and Georgia State.
The Skyhawks saw 26 different players make their school debuts in the season opener against Oklahoma State. UT Martin had players earn their first start in their debut including Jase Bauer (QB), John Gentry (RB), Phaizon Wilson (WR), Drake Martinez (TE), Eric Lane (LG) and Tah Mac Bright Banda (LB) while 20 others saw action as reserves or on special teams.
When the Skyhawks touch down in the Lonestar State, it will mark a homecoming for six members of the program. The group of Moses Adelowo (Aubrey), Tah Mac Bright Banda (Houston), Elijah Bowser (Houston), John Gentry (Houston), Drake Martinez (Houston) and Preston Yarber (Canton) are all Texas natives.
UTEP (0-1) dropped its season opener on the road to Utah State by a final score of 28-16. The Miners are coached by Scotty Walden who is in his second season. The Skyhawks and Walden have history at his previous coaching stop at Austin Peay (2020-23) with UT Martin getting the best of his Governors squad in two meetings. UT Martin picked up a "walk-off" field goal victory in the spring 2020-21 season before blocking a potential game-winning field goal by the Govs just seven months later to highlight the first of four consecutive conference championship campaigns.
Saturday's contest marks the first meeting between the two programs and eighth meeting against a Conference USA member. The Skyhawks are 2-5 against the conference all-time while picking up FBS victories against Memphis (2012) and Kennesaw State (2024).
The game will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+ with James Westling (play-by-play) and Leger Douzable (analyst) with the online coverage. 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
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ FootballSkyhawk Sports Talk - Season 3, Episode 5
Tuesday, September 23
Skyhawk Sports Talk - Season 3, Episode 4
Wednesday, September 17
FB: Southern Illinois Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, September 14
2025 UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame Induction
Sunday, September 14