In the final game of the regular season, the Skyhawks fell to the Ohio Valley Conference Champion Eastern Illinois Panthers 70-22.
With four touchdown passes in the first quarter, EIU quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo had his team ahead of the Skyhawks 28-0.
UTM was able to find the end zone early in the second quarter with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Jarod Neal to Jeremy Butler.
Panthers’ running back Shepard Little scored on a two-yard touchdown run, but the extra-point was blocked.
On their next series, the Panthers were forced to punt, but due to a botched snap the Skyhawks were able to get a safety.
EIU took a 47-9 lead to the half and continued to pile on points in the third quarter.
“They’re good,” said head coach Jason Simpson. “[Garoppolo] is the real deal. They run the ball good enough. They force coverage issues. Bottom line is we didn’t play [well].”
EIU racked up 704 yards of total offense. Garoppolo finished the game with 477 passing yards and six touchdowns.
“We had an awful offensive plan, awful defensive plan and the kids didn’t execute,” said Simpson.
Jaord Neal finished the game 12-of-31 for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
Dylan Favre, who started the game, went 10-of-13 for 98 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Jeremy Butler led the team in receiving with six catches for 91 yards and a touchdown.
The Skyhawks turned the ball over five times, including four fumbles.
On defense, DJ Roberts finished with 12 total tackles and Ben Johnson tallied 11 total tackles.
“You’ve heard forever that you’re only as good as your last game,” said Simpson. “That’s not the case with this team. This team has done an outstanding job.”
The Skyhawks end the season 7-3 and 5-3 in conference play.
