MARTIN, Tenn. – Fresh off a bye week, the University of Tennessee at Martin football team kept its momentum rolling by recording its fourth straight victory behind a blowout performance of Big South-OVC Football Association rival Eastern Illinois by a final margin of 52-17.
The Skyhawks improved to 5-3 on the season while picking up their third association victory in four opportunities. UT Martin used a balanced attack to surge past Eastern Illinois by scoring a season-best 52 points while tallying 460 yards of total offense and three interceptions.
With the victory, the Skyhawks improved to 17-2 at Hardy M. Graham Stadium over the past four seasons. Additionally, the squad has won 13 straight home games against conference opponents during that span. UT Martin also improved 10-3 coming off a bye week during the Jason Simpson Era.
UT Martin’s offense featured balance through the air (248 yards) and on the ground (220 yards). The offensive line provided plenty of time for the Skyhawks to find their groove on offense as the team racked up over 400 yards of total offense for the fifth time this season. With the starting offensive line of Jason Eaton, Josiah Tingley, Vance Van Every, Drake Carroll and Elijah Bowser anchoring the line, the group has only allowed one sack over the past four games.
Quarterback Kinkead Dent played a big role in both units as he completed 16-of-22 pass attempts for 248 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 41 yards and another score in the victory. Dent found his tight ends in key situations as the tandem of Max Dowling (three catches, 70 yards and two touchdowns) and Tyler Dostin (two receptions, 18 yards, one touchdown) combined for all three of the team’s passing touchdown strikes.
The ground attack saw senior running back Patrick Smith pace the group with 13 carries for 87 yards and two touchdowns. The game marked his fourth multi-touchdown rushing performance of the season while bringing his season total up to 12 which ranks tied for sixth in the program’s single-season history.
On the defensive side of the ball, UT Martin used a bend but don’t break approach against the association’s preseason offensive player of the year. Pierce Holley completed 36-of-54 pass attempts for but didn’t capitalize on the home run ball as the Skyhawks picked him off three times.
Tevin Shipp tallied the first interception of the game which he returned 30 yards while tallying eight total tackles. Fellow linebacker Chris Hunter, Jr. also tallied eight tackles while racking up 1.5 tackles for loss. The third part of the three-headed monster at linebacker is Jaylon Sharpe who tallied seven tackles but recorded a 72-yard pick six to put the game on ice in the fourth quarter. Sophomore cornerback LaMarion Pierce also had a nice afternoon in his second career start by tallying seven tackles and an interception.
“I thought we played for four quarters today,” Simpson said. “That team is still preseason No. 25 and 8-3 last year. They’ve got a good quarterback but I was really pleased with how we didn’t give up the big plays, kept it in front of us and made them go the distance. How many times could they do that? Offensively, to be able to have some explosive plays, and mix the run and pass to still go for 460 is how we wanted this game to go. On defense, we scored and they stayed disciplined with the gameplan. I’m proud of the kids to be able to get another home conference win.”
Eastern Illinois (1-7, 0-4 Big South-OVC) saw its loosing streak stretch to six games with a flurry of turnovers. Holley led the Panthers offensive attack with 348 yards and two passing touchdowns while the rushing attack was limited to just 48 yards. Wide receiver Cooper Willman was impressive with 11 receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown in the setback. Defensively, Malik Rainey and Anthony Shockey paced the team with eight tackles.
UT Martin will hit the road for its next two games, beginning with a key matchup against long-time conference foe Tennessee State on Saturday, Nov. 2. Kickoff from Nissan Stadium is slated for 5 p.m.
