Saturday, September 26
Clarksville, Tenn.
1 p.m.
UT Martin
at
Austin Peay
Skyhawks Renew Old Rivalry With Trip To Austin Peay
9/21/2026 4:01:00 PM | Football
MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin football team will renew an old Ohio Valley Conference rivalry when the Skyhawks travel to Austin Peay on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kickoff from Fortera Stadium in Clarksville is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
UT Martin (1-3) continues a challenging four-game road swing after facing back-to-back Football Bowl Subdivision opponents West Virginia and Memphis. The Skyhawks will look to carry the offensive momentum generated during the second half of last week's 45-21 setback at Memphis into their final nonconference contest of the season.
Freshman quarterback Tate Surber made his first collegiate start against the Tigers and completed 17-of-29 passes for 177 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Surber connected with Makhia Sherrard for an eight-yard touchdown in the second quarter before finding Kaleb Washington for another score in the fourth. The Skyhawks finished the game by scoring touchdowns on all three of their red-zone possessions while converting seven of 13 third-down opportunities.
Running back Tommy Ansley added his team-leading sixth rushing touchdown of the season against Memphis. The sophomore has accumulated 234 yards on 44 carries through four games while providing a consistent presence in the Skyhawk backfield. Sherrard leads the receiving corps with 13 receptions for 174 yards and a touchdown, while Deuce Oliver is coming off a season-best 69-yard performance.
Defensively, UT Martin will look to build upon several impact plays from its latest outing. Safety Joel Castleberry recorded his second career interception and returned it 33 yards to help set up a fourth-quarter touchdown. Castleberry and Trey Cotton shared the team lead with eight tackles, while Rasheen Duncan registered an 11-yard sack. Cotton enters the weekend as the Skyhawks' leading tackler with 33 stops.
Austin Peay (3-1) returns home riding a two-game winning streak and ranked No. 11 in the AFCA Coaches' Poll. The Governors boast a high-powered offense behind the play of quarterback Corey Parson and company, averaging 36.2 points per game while the defense has been stingy, holding FCS opponents to just 13.3 points per game in wins over Gardner-Webb, Morehead State and West Florida.
Parson headlines the Governors' offense after passing for 833 yards and six touchdowns against only one interception. Dontavious Harper has emerged as his top big-play target, turning eight receptions into 258 yards and four touchdowns. On the ground, Cameron Simmons leads Austin Peay with 177 yards and three scores. Defensively, the team is led with 23 tackles by Trevor Hardy while Malik Denkins has been aggressive in the backfield, tallying 6.5 tackles for loss on the season.
Saturday marks the first meeting between the in-state programs since 2021. UT Martin owns a 41-27-2 advantage in the all-time series and has won eight of the last 10 matchups. In the team's most recent matchup back in 2021, UT Martin erased a 16-point halftime deficit and scored the game's final 17 points before blocking a potential game-winning field goal as time expired.
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 (1-3) continues a challenging four-game road swing after facing back-to-back Football Bowl Subdivision opponents West Virginia and Memphis. The Skyhawks will look to carry the offensive momentum generated during the second half of last week's 45-21 setback at Memphis into their final nonconference contest of the season.
Freshman quarterback Tate Surber made his first collegiate start against the Tigers and completed 17-of-29 passes for 177 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. Surber connected with Makhia Sherrard for an eight-yard touchdown in the second quarter before finding Kaleb Washington for another score in the fourth. The Skyhawks finished the game by scoring touchdowns on all three of their red-zone possessions while converting seven of 13 third-down opportunities.
Running back Tommy Ansley added his team-leading sixth rushing touchdown of the season against Memphis. The sophomore has accumulated 234 yards on 44 carries through four games while providing a consistent presence in the Skyhawk backfield. Sherrard leads the receiving corps with 13 receptions for 174 yards and a touchdown, while Deuce Oliver is coming off a season-best 69-yard performance.
Defensively, UT Martin will look to build upon several impact plays from its latest outing. Safety Joel Castleberry recorded his second career interception and returned it 33 yards to help set up a fourth-quarter touchdown. Castleberry and Trey Cotton shared the team lead with eight tackles, while Rasheen Duncan registered an 11-yard sack. Cotton enters the weekend as the Skyhawks' leading tackler with 33 stops.
Austin Peay (3-1) returns home riding a two-game winning streak and ranked No. 11 in the AFCA Coaches' Poll. The Governors boast a high-powered offense behind the play of quarterback Corey Parson and company, averaging 36.2 points per game while the defense has been stingy, holding FCS opponents to just 13.3 points per game in wins over Gardner-Webb, Morehead State and West Florida.
Parson headlines the Governors' offense after passing for 833 yards and six touchdowns against only one interception. Dontavious Harper has emerged as his top big-play target, turning eight receptions into 258 yards and four touchdowns. On the ground, Cameron Simmons leads Austin Peay with 177 yards and three scores. Defensively, the team is led with 23 tackles by Trevor Hardy while Malik Denkins has been aggressive in the backfield, tallying 6.5 tackles for loss on the season.
Saturday marks the first meeting between the in-state programs since 2021. UT Martin owns a 41-27-2 advantage in the all-time series and has won eight of the last 10 matchups. In the team's most recent matchup back in 2021, UT Martin erased a 16-point halftime deficit and scored the game's final 17 points before blocking a potential game-winning field goal as time expired.
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.
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