Saturday, October 17
Martin, Tenn.
2 p.m.
UT Martin
vs
Gardner-Webb
Skyhawks Return Home To Host Gardner-Webb For Family Weekend
10/13/2026 1:16:00 PM | Football
MARTIN, Tenn. – Fresh off a thrilling come-from-behind victory to capture the program's 12th Sgt. York Trophy championship, the University of Tennessee at Martin football team returns to the friendly confines of Hardy M. Graham Stadium for the first time in 42 days when playing host to Ohio Valley Conference foe Gardner-Webb on Saturday, Oct. 17. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. on ESPN+ as part of the university's Family Weekend festivities.
Saturday's contest marks a long-awaited homecoming for UT Martin after spending the previous six weeks away from Martin while navigating a challenging stretch featuring four consecutive road games and an open date. The Skyhawks (2-4, 1-0 OVC) will look to build momentum following a 42-28 road victory over Tennessee State in the team's conference opener.
UT Martin overcame a slow start before rattling off 28 unanswered points to end the road trip on a high note and clinch the program's 12th Sgt. York Trophy and bring the trophy back to Martin for the first time in 693 days. The Skyhawks pounded the ground attack, rushing for 193 yards and four touchdowns while forcing four turnovers on the defensive side – including three interceptions and a school-record 97-yard fumble return.
The victory carried historical significance for 21st-year head coach Jason Simpson, who earned his 100th career Ohio Valley Conference victory. Simpson became just the third head coach in league history to reach the milestone, joining Roy Kidd (207) and Boots Donnelly (102).
Gardner-Webb (2-5, 1-1 OVC) enters the contest looking to get back to its winning ways after falling to Eastern Illinois last weekend by a 21-7 margin. The Runnin' Bulldogs have suffered several narrow loses – including two against Football Bowl Subdivision programs – dropping three of their four contests by six combined points against Wofford (L, 17-13), Liberty (L, 24-23) and Marshall (L, 36-35).
Interim head coach Pete Bennett took over the program after Week 0 and boasts two of the top playmakers in the OVC in quarterback Cole Pennington and linebacker Tre Yanez. Pennington leads the OVC and ranks fifth nationally with 1,680 passing yards while throwing for eight touchdowns. Meanwhile, Yanez is a two-time OVC Defensive Player of the Week after leading the league in both tackles (74) and tackles for loss (12.5).
Saturday's matchup marks the eighth all-time meeting between UT Martin and Gardner-Webb, with the Skyhawks holding a narrow 4-3 advantage in the series. UT Martin has won each of the previous two meetings and three of the last four encounters – all of which coming during the Simpson era.
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.
Saturday's contest marks a long-awaited homecoming for UT Martin after spending the previous six weeks away from Martin while navigating a challenging stretch featuring four consecutive road games and an open date. The Skyhawks (2-4, 1-0 OVC) will look to build momentum following a 42-28 road victory over Tennessee State in the team's conference opener.
UT Martin overcame a slow start before rattling off 28 unanswered points to end the road trip on a high note and clinch the program's 12th Sgt. York Trophy and bring the trophy back to Martin for the first time in 693 days. The Skyhawks pounded the ground attack, rushing for 193 yards and four touchdowns while forcing four turnovers on the defensive side – including three interceptions and a school-record 97-yard fumble return.
The victory carried historical significance for 21st-year head coach Jason Simpson, who earned his 100th career Ohio Valley Conference victory. Simpson became just the third head coach in league history to reach the milestone, joining Roy Kidd (207) and Boots Donnelly (102).
Gardner-Webb (2-5, 1-1 OVC) enters the contest looking to get back to its winning ways after falling to Eastern Illinois last weekend by a 21-7 margin. The Runnin' Bulldogs have suffered several narrow loses – including two against Football Bowl Subdivision programs – dropping three of their four contests by six combined points against Wofford (L, 17-13), Liberty (L, 24-23) and Marshall (L, 36-35).
Interim head coach Pete Bennett took over the program after Week 0 and boasts two of the top playmakers in the OVC in quarterback Cole Pennington and linebacker Tre Yanez. Pennington leads the OVC and ranks fifth nationally with 1,680 passing yards while throwing for eight touchdowns. Meanwhile, Yanez is a two-time OVC Defensive Player of the Week after leading the league in both tackles (74) and tackles for loss (12.5).
Saturday's matchup marks the eighth all-time meeting between UT Martin and Gardner-Webb, with the Skyhawks holding a narrow 4-3 advantage in the series. UT Martin has won each of the previous two meetings and three of the last four encounters – all of which coming during the Simpson era.
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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