Thursday, August 27
Martin, Tenn.
6:30 p.m.
UT Martin
vs
Central Arkansas
UT Martin Football Opens 2026 Campaign Against Central Arkansas
8/24/2026 4:40:00 PM | Football
MARTIN, Tenn. – A new season of Skyhawk football kicks off under the lights at Hardy M. Graham Stadium as the University of Tennessee at Martin opens its 2026 campaign against United Athletic Conference foe Central Arkansas on Thursday, Aug. 27. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
Thursday also marks the third annual Skyhawk Palooza presented by Leaders Credit Union event held at Veterans Park with pregame festivities beginning at 4 p.m. Fans can enjoy numerous free interactive tents featuring Skyhawk student-athletes with games, interactive activities and more. Additional features include face painting, pet the pony and inflatables that include a 35-foot giant slide, an 80-foot obstacle course, a jump house and a mini-slide. The finale of UT Martin's 125th Celebration will culminate with a spectacular fireworks performance following the game.
The season opener begins the 21st campaign of the Jason Simpson era and pits a pair of established FCS programs against one another for the first time in more than a decade. UT Martin and Central Arkansas have not met since 2014, adding another layer of intrigue to an already important nonconference matchup with the Bears holding a 9-5 advantage in the all-time series.
Thursday's matchup begins a challenging nonconference slate for the Skyhawks. UT Martin will play its first two contests at Hardy M. Graham Stadium before hitting the road for three consecutive games, including matchups against FBS opponents West Virginia and Memphis along with longtime rival Austin Peay. This marks the first time the Skyhawks have hosted their season opener since the 2022 campaign while boasting a 17-3 record in home openers during Simpson's tenure.
UT Martin enters the season with lofty expectations after being selected as the preseason favorite in the Ohio Valley Conference and ranked nationally in both FCS Top 25 polls – including a No. 22 ranking in the AFCA Coaches' Poll and No. 23 ranking in the Stats Perform Top 25. The Skyhawks received six of eight first-place votes and 47 points in the league's preseason poll after winning or sharing four conference championships over the previous five seasons in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. UT Martin also recorded FCS playoff victories in both 2021 and 2024 during that stretch.
While the Skyhawks will feature several new faces in prominent roles with 53 newcomers on the roster, the cupboard is not bare for Simpson and company as UT Martin had 12 players selected to the OVC Preseason Players to Watch teams. Joining that list was Tommy Ansley (running back), Phaizon Wilson (wide receiver), Kaleb Costner (tight end), Travis Gray (offensive line), Chris Franklin (all-purpose), Brandon Sims (place kicker), Broderick Tommie, Jr. (defensive line), Trey Cotton (defensive back), Jamarcus Smith (linebacker), Max Zuluaga (punter), Deuce Oliver (punt return specialist) and Hayden King (long snapper).
Central Arkansas enters its ninth season under head coach Nathan Brown and brings back 11 returning starters. The bulk of that returning firepower comes on the defensive side of the ball where the trio of defensive lineman Trevion Traylor, linebacker Ashtyn Williams and defensive back Marcus Washington each earned preseason All-UAC honors.
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.
Thursday also marks the third annual Skyhawk Palooza presented by Leaders Credit Union event held at Veterans Park with pregame festivities beginning at 4 p.m. Fans can enjoy numerous free interactive tents featuring Skyhawk student-athletes with games, interactive activities and more. Additional features include face painting, pet the pony and inflatables that include a 35-foot giant slide, an 80-foot obstacle course, a jump house and a mini-slide. The finale of UT Martin's 125th Celebration will culminate with a spectacular fireworks performance following the game.
The season opener begins the 21st campaign of the Jason Simpson era and pits a pair of established FCS programs against one another for the first time in more than a decade. UT Martin and Central Arkansas have not met since 2014, adding another layer of intrigue to an already important nonconference matchup with the Bears holding a 9-5 advantage in the all-time series.
Thursday's matchup begins a challenging nonconference slate for the Skyhawks. UT Martin will play its first two contests at Hardy M. Graham Stadium before hitting the road for three consecutive games, including matchups against FBS opponents West Virginia and Memphis along with longtime rival Austin Peay. This marks the first time the Skyhawks have hosted their season opener since the 2022 campaign while boasting a 17-3 record in home openers during Simpson's tenure.
UT Martin enters the season with lofty expectations after being selected as the preseason favorite in the Ohio Valley Conference and ranked nationally in both FCS Top 25 polls – including a No. 22 ranking in the AFCA Coaches' Poll and No. 23 ranking in the Stats Perform Top 25. The Skyhawks received six of eight first-place votes and 47 points in the league's preseason poll after winning or sharing four conference championships over the previous five seasons in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. UT Martin also recorded FCS playoff victories in both 2021 and 2024 during that stretch.
While the Skyhawks will feature several new faces in prominent roles with 53 newcomers on the roster, the cupboard is not bare for Simpson and company as UT Martin had 12 players selected to the OVC Preseason Players to Watch teams. Joining that list was Tommy Ansley (running back), Phaizon Wilson (wide receiver), Kaleb Costner (tight end), Travis Gray (offensive line), Chris Franklin (all-purpose), Brandon Sims (place kicker), Broderick Tommie, Jr. (defensive line), Trey Cotton (defensive back), Jamarcus Smith (linebacker), Max Zuluaga (punter), Deuce Oliver (punt return specialist) and Hayden King (long snapper).
Central Arkansas enters its ninth season under head coach Nathan Brown and brings back 11 returning starters. The bulk of that returning firepower comes on the defensive side of the ball where the trio of defensive lineman Trevion Traylor, linebacker Ashtyn Williams and defensive back Marcus Washington each earned preseason All-UAC honors.
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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