CHARLESTON, SC – The No. 19 ranked University of Tennessee at Martin football program went on the road and picked up its sixth consecutive victory by knocking off Big South-OVC Football Association foe Charleston Southern by a 40-14 decision.
The Skyhawks (7-3, 5-1 Big South-OVC) dominated on both sides of the ball with 491 yards of total offense while holding the Buccaneers to 209 yards in their final home game of the season. UT Martin tallied 237 rushing yards while passing for 254 yards and recording four offensive touchdowns. On the defensive side, the squad notched three interceptions and forced a pair of fumbles in the victory.
In conjunction with a road loss by No. 6 Southeast Missouri to Lindenwood, the Skyhawks now sit in a two-way tie atop the Big South-OVC Association standings.
Quarterback Kinkead Dent was responsible for three total touchdowns as he completed 13-of-26 pass attempts for two touchdowns while also tallying a rushing touchdown in the victory. Dent’s top target was graduate receiver DeVonte Tanksley as he hauled in five receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
On the ground, the squad tallied its fourth 200-yard rushing performance of the season and improved to 16-0 against FCS programs since 2021 when eclipsing the mark. A big part of that performance was on the shoulders of running back Patrick Smith who tallied his sixth 100-yard rushing performance and eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season. Smith becomes the ninth player in UT Martin history to record a 1,000-yard rushing season and fourth consecutive individual to join the 1000-yard club for the Skyhawks since 2021.
With three interceptions for the third time this season, the trio of Tevin Shipp, Josh Hastings and Oshae Baker each recorded picks in the contest. Hastings snagged his off a tip-ball in the redzone to secure a touchback while Shipp returned his interceptions 35 yards for a touchdown – his second of the season. Along with his interception, Shipp posted a team-high seven tackles while DeShawn McKnight recorded a strip-sack.
“The guys prepared well this week and coaches had a good plan,” UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said. “We came out here, did some good things and made some big plays. Kinkead had some big throws and got bogged down in the endzone a few times but knocked down our field goals to get points. Then we scored on defense and anytime we do that, we are tough to beat. We have talked all year about controlling our own destiny, and we are right where we want to be.”
Charleston Southern (1-9, 0-7 Big South-OVC) suffered its eight consecutive loss in a tough day offensively. The Bucs managed just 209 yards of total offense and committed three turnovers. Jamil Bishop posted the team’s bright spot with a 54-yard rushing touchdown while Kaleb Jackson found Chris Rhone for a 13-yard touchdown connection.
UT Martin returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 16 when playing host to conference rival Tennessee Tech for Military Appreciation Day. Kickoff from Hardy Graham Stadium is slated for 1 p.m.
