NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A stingy University of Tennessee at Martin football team saw its defense bow its neck in the redzone and thwarted a potential game-tying drive in the final seconds to knock off Big South-OVC Football Association rival and No. 25 ranked Tennessee State by a final score of 28-21.
With the win, the Skyhawks (6-3, 4-1 Big South-OVC) secured their fifth straight victory with their last loss coming back on Sept. 21. The squad also took an advantage in the annual Sgt. York Trophy series by knocking Tennessee State out of contention as UT Martin looks for its seventh consecutive trophy.
UT Martin jumped out to an early 21-0 lead just nine minutes into the game with passing touchdown strikes from Kinkead Dent to a trio of receivers in DeVonte Tanksley (35 yards), Zoe Roberts (33 yards) and Scottie Alexander (33 yards) to shock the home fans at Nissan Stadium. Tennessee State would not go away quietly however as the Tigers built momentum with a 98-yard kick return for a touchdown before trimming the margin down to one score late in the first period.
Dent then used his legs to cap off a lengthy scoring drive in the final minute of the first half to give the visitors a 28-14 lead heading into halftime. That is where the defenses cranked up the intensity in the second half with the Skyhawks being limited to just 33 yards in the final two periods. TSU would find yardage in the second half, but mustered just one touchdown as the Skyhawk defense forced four turnovers.
The game was left in the balance in the final minute of the game. With Tennessee State marching down the field and trailing by seven, the Tigers had to find the endzone. TSU was ultimately faced with a first and goal from the six-yard line but a big tackle for loss by JaMichael McGoy, Jr. and three incomplete passes in the endzone from the Skyhawk defense secured the team’s winning streak and hopeful playoff push.
UT Martin finished the night with 370 yards of total offense while Dent led the team by completing 18-of-27 pass attempts for 266 yards and three touchdowns in the victory. Tight end Tyler Dostin paced the team with 87 receiving yards while Tanksley, Roberts and Alexander each found the endzone on big plays of 30-plus yards. Meanwhile, the run-game saw Patrick Smith tally 16 carries for 73 yards while being held out of the endzone for the first time since the season-opener at Kansas State.
“I am proud of the kids and their resilience,” UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said. “There were a lot of opportunities to learn some lessons in that game from the standpoint that you get the lead, you’re up 21-0 and have a lot of momentum going our way, but there was a lot of football left to play. Did we relax, did I call the game different? I’m not sure until I watch the tape, but obviously they get the kickoff return and get some momentum back. The first quarter was outstanding, maybe some of the best football we have played all year, but then they stoned our offense in the second half.”
The defense was huge once again for the Skyhawks with the team forcing four turnovers and 4.0 tackles for loss. Jacob Stevenson and Tevin Shipp paced the team with seven tackles each while linebacker Chris Hunter, Jr. enjoyed an eventful evening with a pair of interceptions in the second half while adding six tackles.
“We relied on the defense, they gave up a few yards here and there, but got the two turnovers and the big stand at the end,” Simpson continued. “They gave up 14 points to their offense and you can play some winning football with that. I’m proud of the win, but more importantly, I’m proud of our defensive coordinator Brandon Butcher and our defensive staff for that last stop there. I thought we did an outstanding job of showing blitz, backing out of it, made the read for the quarterback and got the incomplete to get the win.”
No. 25 Tennessee State (6-3, 3-2 Big South-OVC) saw its three-game winning streak come to a close in a narrow contest. The Tigers tallied 354 yards of total offense behind veteran quarter Draylen Ellis who completed 33-of-53 pass attempts for 312 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Ellis found both Jalal Dean (118 yards) and Bryant Williams (66 yards) for touchdown connections while he also rushed for 29 yards. The defensive pair of Meonta Kimbrough (3.0 TFL) and Cameron Blaylock (2.5 TFL) combined for 5.5 of the team’s 9.0 tackles for loss in the contest while Tyler Jones recorded an interception.
UT Martin will hit the road for the final time in the regular season next weekend when traveling to Big South-OVC foe Charleston Southern on Saturday, Nov. 9. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
