The Skyhawks will go into the bye week on a sour note after losing a 14-point lead on Missouri Valley conference opponent Southern Illinois (SIU).
The first quarter of play went in the Skyhawks favor, as the offense tallied 136 yards on the first two drives.
Despite taking a sack on the first drive, redshirt freshman quarterback John Bachus III completed his first five passes, setting up graduate running back Jaimie Bowe for a one-yard rushing touchdown and an early lead for UTM.
On their second possession, Bachus and junior RB Peyton Logan drove the Skyhawks down the field with 46 total yards by Bachus, including a 32-yard reception by senior wide receiver Jaylon Moore, and 22 rushing yards and second touchdown by Logan for a 14-0 UTM lead.
Following this, the Skyhawks failed to add anymore to the scoresheet for the rest of the game.
SIU RB Javon Williams Jr. tallied two rushing touchdowns in the second quarter to even up the score at 14-14 thanks in part to the Saluki’s wildcat offense. Fellow RB’s D.J. Davis and Devante Cox contributed a touchdown each in the third to put the Salukis up 28-14.
“We didn’t coach very well and we didn’t play very well,” UTM head coach Jason Simpson told Sports Information. “”The first two drives, we showed how we were capable of playing. Then when you allow four sacks, fumble the football, throw an interception on the last drive and can’t sustain drives, that’s unacceptable. We are our worst enemy. I’m disappointed because we are better a team than we showed today.”
At the end of the day, Bachus completed 18 out of 28 passes and 218 yards against one interception. Senior WR Jaylon Moore caught four passes for 79 yards.
Bowe’s touchdown marked the RB’s 18th career touchdown, putting him into 5th place in program history, according to Sports Information.
On the defensive side of the field, junior safety JaQuez Akins and redshirt senior linebacker TJ Jefferson led the team in tackles with 12. Redshirt junior LB D’Carrious Stephens caught his first career interception during the first quarter.
The Skyhawks are entering the bye week on a two-game losing streak after a home win versus Northwestern State University.
UTM will open conference play on Sept. 28 against bitter rival Murray State, who is opening OVC play on a similar note against Morehead State on Sept. 21.
Murray State also opened the season with a win, but faltered down the stretch, falling 17-63 against SEC opponent Georgia and 0-45 to Toledo.
The Murray State matchup, which will take place during UTM’s Family Weekend, can be viewed on ESPN+ and can be listened to on WCMT 1410 AM if you can’t make it to Hardy Graham Stadium.
