UT Martin
3-6 , 2-2
Eastern Illinois
3-6 , 2-2
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Illinois | 14 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 45 |
| UT Martin | 0 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
10/31/2026 6:51:00 PM | Football
The setback dropped the Skyhawks to 3-6 overall and 2-2 in conference play, while the Panthers improved to 3-6 on the season with an identical 2-2 league mark.
Eastern Illinois accumulated 552 yards of total offense, including 283 rushing yards and 269 passing yards. Panther quarterback Cole LaCrue proved difficult to contain, completing 20-of-31 passes for 269 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for another 112 yards and a score. Four different players hauled in receiving touchdowns for the Panthers while tallying a pair of interceptions in the road victory to snap a seven game losing streak to the Skyhawks.
"That's two weeks in a row where we have given up 100 points and then we aren't scoring enough," UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said. "That falls on me. We are not a good defense and we aren't very explosive on offense. It is disappointing, but it is what it is, that is what we have put on tape the last two Saturdays. We have three games left, we will go to work and try to put a better product on the field next week."
Despite the final outcome, UT Martin found success on the ground, rushing for 236 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Junior running back Chris Franklin accounted for both Skyhawk touchdowns, finishing with 67 yards on 11 carries, while freshman Jaydon Peete paced the rushing attack with 99 yards on 11 attempts, including a 50-yard burst.
Defensively, the Skyhawks were led by Jamarcus Smith, Farand Washington and Nissi Mukulu, who each recorded six tackles. Sophomore defensive back Wendell Smith provided a takeaway with an interception, while the Skyhawks registered four tackles for loss.
UT Martin will return to action next weekend when traveling to league foe Charleston Southern for a road matchup on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
EIU 7, UTM 0
EIU - Whitlock,Devin 14 yd pass from LaCrue,Cole (Schiller,Drew kick) 8 plays, 65 yards, TOP 03:54
EIU 14, UTM 0
EIU - Kellom,Charles 5 yd run (Schiller,Drew kick), 6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 02:54
EIU 17, UTM 0
EIU - Schiller,Drew 36 yd field goal 16 plays, 70 yards, TOP 06:43
EIU 17, UTM 6
UTM - Franklin,Chris 8 yd run (), 9 plays, 98 yards, TOP 04:39
EIU 17, UTM 13
UTM - Franklin,Chris 14 yd run (Sims,Brandon kick), 5 plays, 71 yards, TOP 03:00
EIU 24, UTM 13
EIU - Reeves,Jeremy 12 yd pass from LaCrue,Cole (Schiller,Drew kick) 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:51
EIU 31, UTM 13
EIU - Evans,Eli 19 yd pass from LaCrue,Cole (Schiller,Drew kick) 6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:49
EIU 31, UTM 16
UTM - Sims,Brandon 39 yd field goal 11 plays, 63 yards, TOP 04:55
EIU 38, UTM 16
EIU - LaCrue,Cole 50 yd run (Schiller,Drew kick), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:04
EIU 45, UTM 16
EIU - Fleming-Page,Jacarre 67 yd pass from LaCrue,Cole (Schiller,Drew kick) 4 plays, 76 yards, TOP 02:18
