Martin, Tenn.–The University of Tennessee at Martin football team will officially open the regular season with a matchup at Football Championship Subdivision and Southeastern Conference foe Missouri on Saturday, Sept. 1.
Kickoff from Memorial Stadium is scheduled for 3 p.m. and will be broadcast live on SEC Network Alternate.
The Skyhawks (0-0) enter the contest looking to snap a lengthy losing streak to FBS members with a matchup against Mizzou. UT Martin is 1-24 all-time against FBS squads with its lone win coming against Memphis (20-17) in 2012. The Skyhawks have played 20 different FBS games since 2006, including a stretch from 2011-16 in which UT Martin played at least two FBS games per year. UTM is 1-19 in games against FBS opponents under the direction of head coach Jason Simpson and 0-8 against SEC foes.
UT Martin finished last season with a 6-5 mark along with a 4-4 record in Ohio Valley Conference play. While the offense averaged just 19.6 points per game, the Skyhawk defense was exceptional. The Skyhawks finished the regular season ranked nationally in the top-10 in red zone defense (third, 60.6 percent), scoring defense (fourth, 14.3), third down conversion defense (fifth, 28.7 percent), total defense (sixth, 273.8 ypg), punt return defense (seventh, 3.59), first downs defense (eighth, 168 ypg), team passing efficiency defense (eighth, 104.3), fourth down conversion defense (eighth, 28.6 percent), kickoff returns (eighth, 24.33 ypr) and passing yards allowed (ninth, 159.9 ypg). Not only did the team’s 14.3 points allowed per game rank fourth nationally, it set a new program record.
The Skyhawks feature a trio of All-OVC standouts from a season ago in senior running back LaDarius Galloway, senior linebacker James Gilleylen and sophomore specialist Peyton Logan. In addition to All-OVC honors, the trio also garnered Phil Steele Preseason All-Conference recognitions along with senior linebacker Kevin Prather, Jr., junior wide receiver Jaylon Moore and senior linebacker Garrett Wall.
Returning for his 13th season at the helm of the Skyhawks, UT Martin head coach Jason Simpson has a career record of 78-59. Simpson currently ranks as the OVC’s seventh winningest coach in league history and second in program history.
Missouri (0-0) is coming off a 7-6 season which was capped off with an appearance in the Texas Bowl. The Tigers finished the year winning the final six games of the regular season behind the play of Heisman candidate Drew Lock who completed 242-of-419 pass attempts for 3,964 yards and 44 touchdowns.
Saturday’s contest marks the first matchup between the two programs in series history.
The game will be televised live on the SEC Network Alternate channel or online via the WatchESPN app at the link above. Fans can also tune into Mix 101.3 FM to hear Tom Britt (play-by-play), Chris Brinkley (color) and John Abel (sideline) provide analysis. WUTM, UT Martin’s award-winning student radio station, will also broadcast the game on 90.3 FM. Links for both radio broadcasts, along with live stats can be accessed through their respective links above. For in-game updates, follow the Skyhawks on twitter @UTM_Gameday.
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