Saturday, September 19
Memphis, Tenn.
6 p.m.
UT Martin
at
Memphis
Skyhawks Continue FBS Road Swing With In-State Showdown At Memphis
9/14/2026 3:10:00 PM | Football
MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin football team continues a challenging four-game road swing this weekend when making the short trip down Interstate 40 for an in-state matchup against Memphis on Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff from Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
UT Martin (1-2) enters the contest following its first road game of the season at Big 12 member West Virginia. The Skyhawks could not slow down a high-powered offense, ultimately falling 52-7. Highlighting the day was a six-yard fumble scoop and score by John Betts III while Max Zuluaga consistently flipped the field, averaging 53.2 yards per punt – including a 68-yard punt.
The Skyhawks will face their second consecutive Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent this weekend when traveling to Memphis while continuing its longest road trip in over three decades. The matchup renews a series which dates back more than a century. UT Martin and Memphis have met 14 times since their first matchup in 1925, with the Skyhawks owning four victories and one tie. The Skyhawks posted their biggest victory in the series in 2012 with the program's first win over an FBS opponent – outlasting the Tigers in a weather-impacted marathon by a 20-17 margin via a 43-yard field goal by Cody Sandlin with four seconds to play.
That victory remains one of two FBS wins during head coach Jason Simpson's tenure, joining the Skyhawks' 24-13 triumph over Kennesaw State in 2024. Simpson, now in his 21st season at the helm, owns 131 career victories and ranks among the winningest coaches in Ohio Valley Conference history – despite playing 34 FBS matchups.
UT Martin currently leads the FCS in defensive touchdowns (two) while sitting fifth in blocked kicks (2) and ninth sacks allowed (two). Running back Tommy Ansley ranks in the top-10 nationally in four statistical categories, including rushing touchdowns (five), total touchdowns (five), points scored (30) and scoring (10.0 ppg). Defensively, the team is anchored by sophomore safety Trey Cotton with 24 tackles on the season while Chris Wilson and Jamarcus Smith lead the team with 2.0 TFLs each.
Memphis (2-1) returns home after suffering its first setback of the season with a 38-20 road loss at Boise State on Saturday. The Tigers opened the Charles Huff era with consecutive victories over UNLV and Arkansas State before falling to last weekend. The Tigers are hoping a return to newly renovated Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium will get the squad back on track before opening American Conference action next week. Memphis currently ranks fifth nationally in interceptions (four) and seventh in first down offense (61).
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 Chuck Hammer (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.
UT Martin (1-2) enters the contest following its first road game of the season at Big 12 member West Virginia. The Skyhawks could not slow down a high-powered offense, ultimately falling 52-7. Highlighting the day was a six-yard fumble scoop and score by John Betts III while Max Zuluaga consistently flipped the field, averaging 53.2 yards per punt – including a 68-yard punt.
The Skyhawks will face their second consecutive Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent this weekend when traveling to Memphis while continuing its longest road trip in over three decades. The matchup renews a series which dates back more than a century. UT Martin and Memphis have met 14 times since their first matchup in 1925, with the Skyhawks owning four victories and one tie. The Skyhawks posted their biggest victory in the series in 2012 with the program's first win over an FBS opponent – outlasting the Tigers in a weather-impacted marathon by a 20-17 margin via a 43-yard field goal by Cody Sandlin with four seconds to play.
That victory remains one of two FBS wins during head coach Jason Simpson's tenure, joining the Skyhawks' 24-13 triumph over Kennesaw State in 2024. Simpson, now in his 21st season at the helm, owns 131 career victories and ranks among the winningest coaches in Ohio Valley Conference history – despite playing 34 FBS matchups.
UT Martin currently leads the FCS in defensive touchdowns (two) while sitting fifth in blocked kicks (2) and ninth sacks allowed (two). Running back Tommy Ansley ranks in the top-10 nationally in four statistical categories, including rushing touchdowns (five), total touchdowns (five), points scored (30) and scoring (10.0 ppg). Defensively, the team is anchored by sophomore safety Trey Cotton with 24 tackles on the season while Chris Wilson and Jamarcus Smith lead the team with 2.0 TFLs each.
Memphis (2-1) returns home after suffering its first setback of the season with a 38-20 road loss at Boise State on Saturday. The Tigers opened the Charles Huff era with consecutive victories over UNLV and Arkansas State before falling to last weekend. The Tigers are hoping a return to newly renovated Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium will get the squad back on track before opening American Conference action next week. Memphis currently ranks fifth nationally in interceptions (four) and seventh in first down offense (61).
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 Chuck Hammer (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
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