By Alex Boggis, UT Martin Assistant Sports Information Director
MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin football team have received its highest ranking in 15 years as the Skyhawks rose to No. 13 in both the AFCA FCS Coaches’ Top 25 and Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll following the team’s fifth consecutive victory.
The Skyhawks were previously ranked 16th in the AFCA Coaches’ Poll while sitting one spot lower at 17th in the Stats Perform Poll. UT Martin is the only Ohio Valley Conference program to be ranked or receive votes in either poll. The team’s No. 13 ranking sits as the highest for the program since the final poll of the 2006 season.
The Skyhawks (5-1, 2-0 OVC) are riding a five-game winning streak dating back to Sept. 11 – including a 28-17 comeback road victory over Eastern Illinois last week to improve to 2-0 in league play last week. UT Martin rallied to score 21 unanswered points in the contests while shutting out the Panthers for the final 37-plus minutes of the game. The team’s five-game winning streak is the longest winning streak since the 2006 season when the squad won eight games in a row.
UT Martin currently ranks in the top-25 in 13 different team categories and nine individual categories. The squad also sits amongst the nation’s top 15 teams in in blocked punts allowed (zero, 1st), sacks allowed (0.83, 7th), time of possession (33:44, 7th), rushing offense (227.5, 10th), winning percentage (83.3%, 11th), blocked punts (1, 12th) and third down conversion percentage (46.1%, 13th).
Additionally, the Skyhawks lead the OVC in 12 statistical categories including scoring offense (33.2 ppg), rushing offense (227.5 ygp), rushing defense (107.2 ypg), pass efficiency (137.4), interceptions (eight), net punting (38.9), PAT kicking (100 percent), sacks against (0.83 per game), third-down conversions (46.1 percent), red zone defense (76.0 percent), on-side kicks by (100 percent) and time of possession (33:44).
Graphic Courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information