UT Martin dominated in every aspect of the game to put away OVC rival Eastern Illinois (EIU), 52-17.
Whether it was offense, defense or special teams, the Skyhawks couldn’t seem to be stopped. The win against EIU makes 13 in a row against conference opponents at home and gives the Skyhawks a 17-2 overall record at home.
Led by QB Kinkead Dent with four total touchdowns and nearly 300 total yards, the Skyhawks offense had its way with the Panthers. A total of 460 yards with a relatively even split between the passing and running game told the story for the Skyhawk offense: a well-balanced attack that kept the Panthers guessing.
Dent had his 3rd four-touchdown game this season, which matches his total from last season in fewer games so far. Through the air, Dent went 16-22 for 248 yards and three touchdowns for the Skyhawks, spreading the ball to seven different Skyhawks.
“I think Kinkead is playing his best ball since he’s been here,” said Coach Simpson.
Leading the Skyhawks in receiving yards and touchdowns for the second week in a row is TE (tight end) Max Dowling. His 70 yards and two touchdowns on just three catches was the 3rd two-touchdown game of his career and the second in a row. His other two-touchdown performance came in last year’s match up, also against the Panthers.
On the ground, the Skyhawks continue to dominate. OVC leading rusher Patrick Smith continued his elite play with another two-touchdown performance, his fourth multi-touchdown performance of the year. Add that with 87 yards on just 13 carries and you have a pretty successful day on the ground.
The emergence of QB Kinkead Dent as a runner has also given a boost to the Skyhawk running game. Dent’s 37-yard rushing touchdown was the longest of the night and his fourth in the last three games.
Defensively, the Skyhawks made plays all over the field with three interceptions and an equal amount of three and outs. The Skyhawks continued to shut down the run, allowing only 48 yards to Panthers running backs along with five tackles for loss. They also made life extremely difficult for the Panthers’ passing attack with 12 pass break ups, five quarterback hurries and two sacks.
Leading the defensive effort was LB (linebacker) Jaylon Sharpe with eight tackles (ties career-high), a quarterback hurry, and the first interception of his career, a 72-yard pick-six to put the nail in the coffin for the Panthers. Sharpe was also named OVC defensive player of the week, the first of his career and second for the Skyhawks this season (Oshae Baker)
Other contributors on defense include LB Chris Hunter with nine tackles and one and a half tackles for loss, LB Tevin Shipp with eight tackles and an interception, CB (cornerback) LaMarion Pierce with seven tackles, a pass break up and an interception and CB JaMichael McGoy with four tackles and five pass break ups.
Even special teams had a fun day in the office with a punt return for 43 yards by Oshae Baker and three kick returns for 110 yards from multiple players.
It’s hard to play more complementary football than what the Skyhawks did this past Saturday as the Skyhawks continue to gain momentum towards the back end of the stretch.
“I’m proud of the kids to be able to get another home conference win,” said coach Simpson
Next week the Skyhawks travel to Nissan Stadium in Nashville to face the Tennessee State Tigers (6-2) on Saturday at 5 pm. The Tigers sit above the Skyhawks in the Big South-OVC standings and are currently on a four-game win streak of their own. The winner moves to second place in the conference behind SEMO.
