By Alex Boggis, UT Martin Assistant Sports Information Director
MARTIN, Tenn. – University of Tennessee at Martin running back Sam Franklin has been named Big South-OVC Football Offensive Player of the Week after a stellar performance against Missouri State.
Franklin, a 5-10 running back from Little Rock, Ark., posted a near record-setting performance in the team’s win over Missouri State. The reigning OVC Freshman of the Year broke free for 259 rushing yards on 20 carries while adding three touchdowns. His yardage total finished just 13 yards shy of the program’s all-time single-game mark of 272 set by Don Chapman in 2004 and ranks second in school history. The contest also marked the second time in his young career that he has rushed for three touchdowns.
The sophomore’s touchdown scampers came at key times as well, with each score giving the Skyhawks a lead in a tightly contested matchup. He began the game with an 81-yard touchdown scamper on the first offensive play of the contest to give the Skyhawks an early 7-0 advantage. He added two more go-ahead scores in the fourth quarter, the first coming on a 49-yard run with 9:04 to play to put the home team on top 31-24 before scoring the eventual game-winning touchdown with a 20-yard run with 1:45 to play.
With his impressive contest, he currently leads the FCS in rushing yards (305) and rushing yards per game (152.5) while ranking third nationally in rushing yards per carry (9.53) and sixth in touchdowns (three). His 259 yards also rank as a FCS single-game high for the 2023 season.
Franklin and the Skyhawks return to the gridiron this weekend when playing host to Houston Christian on Saturday, Sept. 16. Kickoff from Hardy Graham Stadium is slated for 6 p.m.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information
