UT Martin Drops In-State Matchup To Memphis

Saturday, September 19

Memphis, Tenn.

6 p.m.

UT Martin

1-3 , 0-0

Memphis

3-1 , 0-0

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
UT Martin	0	7	0	14	21
Memphis	10	14	7	14	45

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UT Martin Drops In-State Matchup To Memphis

9/19/2026 10:14:00 PM | Football

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin football team scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns but could not overcome an early deficit as Memphis claimed a 45-21 victory on Saturday evening at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

Playing in front of 30,840 fans, UT Martin (1-3) finished with 291 yards of total offense and converted seven of its 13 third-down opportunities. The Skyhawks were particularly effective inside the 20-yard line, scoring touchdowns on all three of their red-zone possessions.

In his first career start, freshman quarterback Tate Surber posted a solid performance by completing 17 of 29 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns while committing no turnovers. The tandem of Deuce Oliver and Makhia Sherrard paced the team with four receptions. Oliver paced the team with 69 receiving yards on the night – including a 46-yard over the shoulder catch to set up a scoring drive in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Sherrard scored the Skyhawks first receiving touchdown of the season by tip-toeing the endzone for a second quarter touchdown snag.

The offensive production continued in the fourth quarter for the Skyhawks as the team punched a pair of touchdowns into the endzone. A dazzling reception by Kaleb Washington resulted in a seven-yard touchdown while running back Tommy Ansley punctuated another scoring drive with a one-yard rush up the middle.

Defensively, Joel Castleberry recorded his second career interception and capped it off with a 33-yard return to set up a scoring drive in the fourth quarter while sharing the team-lead with eight tackles on the night. Sophomore safety Trey Cotton also recorded eight tackles in the contest – including a tackle for loss in the first quarter. Another highlight play came in the second quarter when Rasheen Duncan bull rushed the opposing center and sacked Memphis quarterback Marcus Stokes for an 11-yard loss.

A big play on special teams also flashed on the stat sheet when Max Zuluaga booted a 74-yard punt in the first quarter. The punt marked the third-longest punt in program history, trailing only an 80-yard blast by Jade Stillings in 1997 and a 75-yard punt by Tyler Larco in 2022.

Gallery: (9-19-2026) Football at Memphis

"The game play was that we can't just let them run past you and they did," UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said. "They do a good job with their choice routes outside and if you tighten down, they run past you. We wanted to make them have to drive the football, and we did that, but it caused other problems. They were able to throw and catch a little bit and those are things that we have to improve on. We knew the first half of the schedule was going to be a challenge, and this is part of that four-game grind that we talked about. We need to find some improvements in stopping the run and staying consistent on offense."

Memphis (3-1) racked up 572 yards of total offense on the night with a balanced attack – including 299 yards on the ground and 273 yards through the air. Stokes provided stability under center, completing 26-of-32 pass attempts for 258 yards and four touchdowns. Meanwhile Jordan Thompson tallied 110 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

UT Martin will continue its current four-game road trip with another in-state matchup against former Ohio Valley Conference rival Austin Peay on Saturday, Sept. 27. Kickoff from Fortera Stadium is slated for 1 p.m.