Saturday, September 5
Martin, Tenn.
6 p.m.
UT Martin
vs
Chicago State
Skyhawks Welcome Chicago State For Hall of Fame Game
8/31/2026 3:26:00 PM | Football
MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin football team continues its season-opening homestand on Saturday, Sept. 5 when the Skyhawks welcome first-year program Chicago State to Hardy M. Graham Stadium. Kickoff for the program's annual Hall of Fame Game and Captain's Kids Club Game is scheduled for 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
Saturday's matchup will serve as UT Martin's annual Hall of Fame Game, as the newest members of the UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame will be recognized as part of the weekend's festivities. In a pregame ceremony, Stefanie Dubach (volleyball, 1999-2002), Dewayne Harper (football, 1991-94), Ben Reeves (golf, 2012-16) and Chris Rushing (volleyball, 1998-2004) will formally be inducted as the Class of 2026.
The contest also marks the annual Captain's Kids Club Game as all members of the Captain's Kids Club not only receive free admission to the contest – like all football and basketball games – but will lead the Skyhawks onto the field pregame. Members are reminded to wear their Captain's Kids Club lanyard and badge while lining up on the sidewalk adjacent to the south endzone – closest to the Bob Carroll Football Building at 5:45 p.m.
Fans are also encouraged to arrive early as an exclusive Captain Skyhawk Bobblehead will be given away to the first 250 fans through the gates.
The Skyhawks (0-1) will look to bounce back after dropping a 36-24 decision to Central Arkansas in their season opener. UT Martin held a 17-13 advantage late in the second quarter before the Bears scored 16 unanswered points to take control of the contest. Highlighting the game was a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown by safety Trey Cotton and a pair of rushing touchdowns for running back Tommy Ansley.
The contest gives UT Martin another opportunity to play in front of is home fans at Hardy Graham Stadium before embarking on an extended road stretch. After beginning the season with back-to-back home games, the Skyhawks hit the road for four straight contests and won't return back home to their friendly confines until Oct. 17. The upcoming road stretch includes back-to-back FBS matchups against Big 12 foe West Virginia (Sept. 12) and in-state foe Memphis (Sept. 19) followed by matchups against Austin Peay (Sept. 26) and Tennessee State (Oct. 10).
Saturday's opponent represents one of the newest programs in college football as Chicago State is competing in its inaugural season in 2026 under head coach Bobby Rome II. The Cougars are playing as an FCS independent and Saturday's trip to Martin will mark the first road game in program history.
Chicago State (0-1) made its football debut in Week 0 with a matchup against Roosevelt University before ultimately falling 44-28. True freshman quarterback Ashton Pannell highlighted the Cougar offense by completing 29-of-40 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns. Michael Dabney Jr. scored the first touchdown in Chicago State football history on a five-yard run, while the Cougars also received touchdown receptions from Kymari Gray and Arshawn Powell. Defensively, Armani Itote paced Chicago State with 11 total tackles.
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) 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 matchup will serve as UT Martin's annual Hall of Fame Game, as the newest members of the UT Martin Athletics Hall of Fame will be recognized as part of the weekend's festivities. In a pregame ceremony, Stefanie Dubach (volleyball, 1999-2002), Dewayne Harper (football, 1991-94), Ben Reeves (golf, 2012-16) and Chris Rushing (volleyball, 1998-2004) will formally be inducted as the Class of 2026.
The contest also marks the annual Captain's Kids Club Game as all members of the Captain's Kids Club not only receive free admission to the contest – like all football and basketball games – but will lead the Skyhawks onto the field pregame. Members are reminded to wear their Captain's Kids Club lanyard and badge while lining up on the sidewalk adjacent to the south endzone – closest to the Bob Carroll Football Building at 5:45 p.m.
Fans are also encouraged to arrive early as an exclusive Captain Skyhawk Bobblehead will be given away to the first 250 fans through the gates.
The Skyhawks (0-1) will look to bounce back after dropping a 36-24 decision to Central Arkansas in their season opener. UT Martin held a 17-13 advantage late in the second quarter before the Bears scored 16 unanswered points to take control of the contest. Highlighting the game was a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown by safety Trey Cotton and a pair of rushing touchdowns for running back Tommy Ansley.
The contest gives UT Martin another opportunity to play in front of is home fans at Hardy Graham Stadium before embarking on an extended road stretch. After beginning the season with back-to-back home games, the Skyhawks hit the road for four straight contests and won't return back home to their friendly confines until Oct. 17. The upcoming road stretch includes back-to-back FBS matchups against Big 12 foe West Virginia (Sept. 12) and in-state foe Memphis (Sept. 19) followed by matchups against Austin Peay (Sept. 26) and Tennessee State (Oct. 10).
Saturday's opponent represents one of the newest programs in college football as Chicago State is competing in its inaugural season in 2026 under head coach Bobby Rome II. The Cougars are playing as an FCS independent and Saturday's trip to Martin will mark the first road game in program history.
Chicago State (0-1) made its football debut in Week 0 with a matchup against Roosevelt University before ultimately falling 44-28. True freshman quarterback Ashton Pannell highlighted the Cougar offense by completing 29-of-40 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns. Michael Dabney Jr. scored the first touchdown in Chicago State football history on a five-yard run, while the Cougars also received touchdown receptions from Kymari Gray and Arshawn Powell. Defensively, Armani Itote paced Chicago State with 11 total tackles.
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) 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.
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
S
/ FootballFriday, August 28
Friday, August 28
Wednesday, August 26
Tuesday, August 25