Through the end of the 2019-20 academic year, we will be posting a season recap for each UTM athletic program. This edition of the “Skyhawk Season in Review” series features the football team.
The UTM football program tied for the second-best turnaround in the nation last season after posting a 7-5 record while going 6-2 in the OVC. The program posted its first unbeaten season at Hardy M. Graham Stadium since 2016 by going 5-0 with wins over Northwestern State, Murray State, Eastern Illinois, nationally ranked Jacksonville State and Tennessee State. Additionally, the Skyhawks clinched at least a share of the Sgt. York Trophy for the seventh time in the last 10 years.
Statistically, UTM ranked amongst OVC leaders in scoring offense (30.5 ppg, second), scoring defense (19.5, first), pass efficiency (144.7, second), pass defense efficiency (111.0, first), punt return average (16.9, first), interceptions (nine, second), sacks (25, first) and turnover margin (+5, first).
UTM head coach Jason Simpson concluded his 14th season at the helm of the program while accomplishing a pair of milestones. In the win over Jacksonville State, Simpson posted his 86th career victory to make him the winningest head coach in program history – surpassing UTM Hall of Famer Bob Carroll. Meanwhile on the conference stage, Simpson moved into sixth place on the OVC’s career wins list with his 87 victories.
Numerous Skyhawks received postseason honors with return specialist Terry Williams leading the way by being named a consensus All-American by four different publications after ranking first nationally in return yards, yards per punt return and punt return touchdowns. The freshmen pair of John Bachus III (Jerry Rice Award Finalist) and Gavin Olson both garnered spots on the Phil Steele Freshman All-American squads while Bachus, Colton Dowell and Jamarius Landers earned underclassmen All-American honors from HERO Sports.
A total of nine players earned All-OVC honors. UTM was represented on the All-OVC first team by offensive guard Aries Davis, defensive lineman Austin Pickett linebacker TJ Jefferson, safety JaQuez Akins and Williams. The Skyhawks saw the trio of running back Peyton Logan, Dowell and defensive back DaVonte Maura earn second team honors. Bachus highlighted the individual awards by being named OVC Freshman of the Year while joining Akins on the All-Newcomer squad. The Skyhawks ranked second in the OVC with 10 total postseason honors.
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