MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin football team found its first win of the season in comeback fashion by surging past visiting North Alabama over the final three quarters to secure a 43-28 victory in the squad’s home opener.
The Skyhawks (1-2) fell behind in an early 18-0 hole in the first quarter before mounting a sizeable comeback and outscoring the visiting Lions by a 43-10 margin for the rest of the game. In total, UT Martin tallied 416 yards of total offense and forced four turnovers to key their comeback attack and move into the win column for the first time in 2024.
For the second week in a row, UT Martin leaned on its run game to set the tone and Patrick Smith led the way. The newcomer tallied his second straight 100-yard rushing performance while finding the endzone twice in the victory. Smith tallied 15 carries for 123 yards and two touchdowns – averaging 8.2 yards per carry.
Under center, the Skyhawks used a pair of quarterbacks with Kinkead Dent and Kaiya Sheron both seeing action. Dent threw a first quarter touchdown before Sheron came in relief and completed 14-of-18 passes (77.7 percent) for 170 yards and a touchdown. On the receiving end of the their passes was Trevonte Rucker who paced the team with six receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, DeVonte Tanksley also tallied five catches for 69 yards.
Defensively, the Skyhawks forced four turnovers in the comeback. The trio of Chris Hunter, Jr., Tevin Shipp and JaMichael McGoy, Jr. each tallied interceptions while Shipp returned his pick 34 yards for a touchdown. Charles Perkins also recovered a fumble caused by McGoy on a strip sack. The squad also recorded eight tackles for loss with Josh Hastings pacing the team with 2.5 TFLs and Jaylon Sharpe tallying a pair of TFLs for the second time this season.
“Wins are hard to come by,” UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson said. “I’ve been here and a part of a lot of them over the last 19 years, they are hard to come by and come in different ways. They smacked us in the mouth by jumping out 18-0 and we were kind of floundering there but I think it was 43-10 from there. Give the kids credit because they fought.”
North Alabama (0-4) played three quarterbacks in the contest with DC Tabscott pacing the team with 149 yards, two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. Ben Harris also saw action, leading the team in pass completions (seven) and attempts (19). Wide receiver Takairee Kenebrew tallied five receptions for 173 yards and two touchdowns while Jayvian Allen also found the endzone. Defensively, Gregory Reddick and Josh Anglin led the team with 10 tackles each while Ike Rowell and Barry Womack recorded interceptions.
UT Martin will look to build momentum when playing host to Missouri Valley Conference foe Missouri State on Saturday, Sept. 21. Kickoff for Community Day is slated for 6 p.m.
