Saturday, October 17
Martin, Tenn.
2 p.m.
UT Martin
3-4 , 2-0
17
vs
6
Gardner-Webb
2-6 , 1-2
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardner-Webb | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| UT Martin | 0 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
Big Defensive Effort Lifts Skyhawks to Family Weekend Victory Over Gardner-Webb
10/17/2026 7:38:00 PM | Football
MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin football team leaned on a suffocating defensive performance and a punishing ground attack to secure a 17-6 victory over Ohio Valley Conference foe Gardner-Webb.
The Skyhawks (3-4, 2-0 OVC) returned home for their first game in 42 days and leaned on its homefield advantage and energetic Family Weekend crowd to support a gritty conference matchup. UT Martin excelled on defense by limiting the visitors from Gardner-Webb to just 168 yards of total offense – including 20 rushing yards – while tallying three interceptions and zero offensive points.
Efficiency was the name of the game for the Skyhawks on defense, limiting the Runnin' Bulldogs to 0-for-12 on third downs while surrendering just seven first downs in the contest. Offensively, UT Martin controlled the line of scrimmage with 218 rushing yards on 53 carries while dominating time of possession by a 41:01 to 18:59 margin. The Skyhawks finished with 310 yards of total offense and 16 first downs, including 12 on the ground.
"We are very thankful to get the win and be back at home after 42 days, I think that made a big difference for us," UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said. "I'm proud of our defense, we didn't give up a point on defense as their only points were on a kick return, while being able to hold them to 0-for-12 on third down. We knew our defense was going to have to hold them and on offense we would just have to grind some things out, but we found a way. I'm proud of the kids, proud of our program and the defensive staff."
Gallery: (10-17-2026) Football vs. Gardner-Webb
Freshman running back Jaydon Peete paced the Skyhawk rushing attack with 73 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries while freshman quarterback Tate Surber added 61 rushing yards, highlighted by a 58-yard scamper. Surber also completed 10 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Through the air, senior tight end Kaleb Costner led the Skyhawks with 33 receiving yards on two catches while Kaleb Washington hauled in a 20-yard reception. Senior wide receiver Makhia Sherrard added two receptions for 18 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown grab.
Defensively, sophomore Zamaryion Farmer-McCray paced the Skyhawks with six tackles while junior linebacker Jamarcus Smith and junior defensive lineman Duston Chavis each registered five stops. Junior linebacker Malik Brown made his presence felt with four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack and three quarterback hurries.
The Skyhawk secondary also delivered several game-changing plays as Reginald Allen Jr., Jamal Mayers and Ant Fisher each recorded an interception. Allen returned his takeaway 19 yards while Mayers added two pass breakups.
Special teams also played a significant role in the contest as sophomore punter Max Zuluaga averaged 47.0 yards on seven punts, including a booming 75-yard effort. The punt ranked tied for the second-longest punt in program history – trying a 75-yard booming punt by Tyler Larco against Kennesaw State back in 2022. Sims accounted for five points with his 37-yard field goal and a pair of successful extra-point attempts.
Gardner-Webb was led offensively by quarterbacks Jared Doolittle and Lan Farmer, who combined to complete 12-of-37 passes for 148 yards and three interceptions. Kory Jones paced the receiving corps with three catches for 49 yards while linebacker Cahari Haynes registered a game-high 13 tackles.
After a scoreless opening quarter, UT Martin broke through late in the second period. Starting with favorable field position at the Gardner-Webb 43-yard line following a punt, the Skyhawks marched 43 yards on nine plays while consuming 3:25 off the clock. Surber capped the possession with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Sherrard, giving the home squad a 7-0 advantage with 1:51 remaining before halftime.
UT Martin extended its advantage midway through the third quarter following another strong defensive stand. After Gardner-Webb missed a field goal attempt, the Skyhawks put together a seven-play, 44-yard drive that culminated in a 37-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Brandon Sims with 6:50 remaining in the period.
Gardner-Webb answered immediately on the ensuing kickoff when Joshua George returned the ball 86 yards for a touchdown. The missed extra-point attempt preserved UT Martin's 10-6 lead with 6:34 remaining in the third quarter.
With the game still hanging in the balance during the fourth quarter, the Skyhawk defense rose to the occasion once again. Following a UT Martin interception that gave Gardner-Webb possession in Skyhawk territory, the defense forced a turnover on downs at the UT Martin 36-yard line with 7:18 remaining.
The Skyhawks wasted little time capitalizing on the momentum swing. Surber broke free for a 58-yard run to set up first-and-goal before Peete punched in a two-yard touchdown run to cap a three-play, 64-yard scoring drive. Sims converted the extra point to stretch the advantage to 17-6 with 5:55 left to play.
Gardner-Webb mounted one final threat, advancing deep into Skyhawk territory during a nine-play, 76-yard drive. However, Fisher intercepted a pass in the endzone with 2:51 remaining to extinguish the scoring opportunity and effectively seal the victory.
UT Martin will take its winning streak on the road next week when traveling to Western Illinois on Saturday, Oct. 24.
The Skyhawks (3-4, 2-0 OVC) returned home for their first game in 42 days and leaned on its homefield advantage and energetic Family Weekend crowd to support a gritty conference matchup. UT Martin excelled on defense by limiting the visitors from Gardner-Webb to just 168 yards of total offense – including 20 rushing yards – while tallying three interceptions and zero offensive points.
Efficiency was the name of the game for the Skyhawks on defense, limiting the Runnin' Bulldogs to 0-for-12 on third downs while surrendering just seven first downs in the contest. Offensively, UT Martin controlled the line of scrimmage with 218 rushing yards on 53 carries while dominating time of possession by a 41:01 to 18:59 margin. The Skyhawks finished with 310 yards of total offense and 16 first downs, including 12 on the ground.
"We are very thankful to get the win and be back at home after 42 days, I think that made a big difference for us," UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said. "I'm proud of our defense, we didn't give up a point on defense as their only points were on a kick return, while being able to hold them to 0-for-12 on third down. We knew our defense was going to have to hold them and on offense we would just have to grind some things out, but we found a way. I'm proud of the kids, proud of our program and the defensive staff."
Freshman running back Jaydon Peete paced the Skyhawk rushing attack with 73 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries while freshman quarterback Tate Surber added 61 rushing yards, highlighted by a 58-yard scamper. Surber also completed 10 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown.
Through the air, senior tight end Kaleb Costner led the Skyhawks with 33 receiving yards on two catches while Kaleb Washington hauled in a 20-yard reception. Senior wide receiver Makhia Sherrard added two receptions for 18 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown grab.
Defensively, sophomore Zamaryion Farmer-McCray paced the Skyhawks with six tackles while junior linebacker Jamarcus Smith and junior defensive lineman Duston Chavis each registered five stops. Junior linebacker Malik Brown made his presence felt with four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack and three quarterback hurries.
The Skyhawk secondary also delivered several game-changing plays as Reginald Allen Jr., Jamal Mayers and Ant Fisher each recorded an interception. Allen returned his takeaway 19 yards while Mayers added two pass breakups.
Special teams also played a significant role in the contest as sophomore punter Max Zuluaga averaged 47.0 yards on seven punts, including a booming 75-yard effort. The punt ranked tied for the second-longest punt in program history – trying a 75-yard booming punt by Tyler Larco against Kennesaw State back in 2022. Sims accounted for five points with his 37-yard field goal and a pair of successful extra-point attempts.
Gardner-Webb was led offensively by quarterbacks Jared Doolittle and Lan Farmer, who combined to complete 12-of-37 passes for 148 yards and three interceptions. Kory Jones paced the receiving corps with three catches for 49 yards while linebacker Cahari Haynes registered a game-high 13 tackles.
After a scoreless opening quarter, UT Martin broke through late in the second period. Starting with favorable field position at the Gardner-Webb 43-yard line following a punt, the Skyhawks marched 43 yards on nine plays while consuming 3:25 off the clock. Surber capped the possession with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Sherrard, giving the home squad a 7-0 advantage with 1:51 remaining before halftime.
UT Martin extended its advantage midway through the third quarter following another strong defensive stand. After Gardner-Webb missed a field goal attempt, the Skyhawks put together a seven-play, 44-yard drive that culminated in a 37-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Brandon Sims with 6:50 remaining in the period.
Gardner-Webb answered immediately on the ensuing kickoff when Joshua George returned the ball 86 yards for a touchdown. The missed extra-point attempt preserved UT Martin's 10-6 lead with 6:34 remaining in the third quarter.
With the game still hanging in the balance during the fourth quarter, the Skyhawk defense rose to the occasion once again. Following a UT Martin interception that gave Gardner-Webb possession in Skyhawk territory, the defense forced a turnover on downs at the UT Martin 36-yard line with 7:18 remaining.
The Skyhawks wasted little time capitalizing on the momentum swing. Surber broke free for a 58-yard run to set up first-and-goal before Peete punched in a two-yard touchdown run to cap a three-play, 64-yard scoring drive. Sims converted the extra point to stretch the advantage to 17-6 with 5:55 left to play.
Gardner-Webb mounted one final threat, advancing deep into Skyhawk territory during a nine-play, 76-yard drive. However, Fisher intercepted a pass in the endzone with 2:51 remaining to extinguish the scoring opportunity and effectively seal the victory.
UT Martin will take its winning streak on the road next week when traveling to Western Illinois on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
JACK
/ Football
DL
/ Football
TE
/ Football
S
/ Football
CB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
K/P
/ Football
LB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
P
/ FootballTeam Stats
GWU
UTM
Total Yards
168
310
Pass Yards
148
92
Rushing Yards
20
218
Penalty Yards
34
52
1st Downs
7
16
3rd Downs
0
7
4th Downs
0
1
TOP
18:59
41:01
2nd Quarter
GWU 0, UTM 7
UTM - Sherrard,Makhia 13 yd pass from Surber,Tate (Sims,Brandon kick) 9 plays, 43 yards, TOP 03:25
3rd Quarter
GWU 0, UTM 10
UTM - Sims,Brandon 37 yd field goal 7 plays, 44 yards, TOP 03:40
GWU 6, UTM 10
GWU - George,Joshua 86 yd kickoff return ()
4th Quarter
GWU 6, UTM 17
UTM - Peete,Jaydon 2 yd run (Sims,Brandon kick), 3 plays, 64 yards, TOP 01:23
Game Leaders
CMP
10
TD
1
YDS
92
INT
2
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