The UT Martin Skyhawks open the 2024 season with a grueling matchup at Bill Snyder Family Stadium against the Kansas State Wildcats at 6 p.m. on Aug. 31.
The Skyhawks will look to continue their success into 2024. Like Georgia a year ago, the Skyhawks will face their toughest opponent of the season in week one as the Skyhawks head into Big XII country to face the 18th ranked Kansas State Wildcats.
The Wildcats are returning 50.5% of production from their 2023 Big XII championship roster. They most notably lose production at the quarterback position, with the loss of starting quarterback Will Howard who transferred to Ohio State this past season. Howard will be replaced by Avery Johnson; the sophomore quarterback from Wichita, Kansas is a former 4-star recruit and was the number one player in Kansas coming out of high school.
Running backs DJ Giddens and Dylan Edwards are two major pieces of the Wildcat offense. Giddens was Kansas State’s leading rusher last season with 1,226 yards at 5.5 yards per carry and 10 touchdowns for the Wildcats. Edwards is an incoming transfer from Colorado who put up 620 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns for the Buffalos last season and will likely be a threat on the ground and through the air.
The Wildcats also return veteran players on the defensive end with senior linebacker Austin Moore and senior safety Marques Sigle. Both players tied as the leading tacklers for the Wildcats in 2023 with 63 tackles. Sigle and Moore will make it tough for the Skyhawks to break any big runs with their sure tackling on the front and back end of the defense.
The Wildcats offense averaged 241.2 yards through the air and 204.1 yards on the ground in 2023. With the addition of Dylan Edwards to an already good running back group for the Wildcats and the elite rushing capabilities of Avery Johnson, expect the Wildcats to match or even ramp up their rushing production this season.
The Skyhawks are coming into the 2024 season looking different compared to last year. The new additions to the roster have the chance to make a difference in the opening weeks.
Running back (RB) Sam Franklin transferred to the Oklahoma Sooners after coming off of a strong season of 223 carries, 1378 yards, and 11 touchdowns while earning All-American honors. The Skyhawks look to replace that production with returning RB Narkel LeFlore and newcomer Patrick Smith from Vanderbilt. LeFlore is coming off a season of 382 yards and four touchdowns while Smith is coming off a 327 yard and two touchdown season.
The offense will also be missing tight end (TE) DJ Nelson who transferred to Alabama A&M after a four touchdown season. The Skyhawks brought in two new TEs in Tyler Dostin from Kent State and Katerian LeGrone from Delta State. The team hopes to have a new one-two punch in the run and pass game with the newcomers.
UCF gained a great defensive end (DE) in Daylon Doston after coming off of an award winning season in Martin that included 19.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Sophomore Skyhawk defensive tackle Charles Perkins is taking over one of the starting roles at DE after being named freshman All-American and having a four sack season. These are the players to watch as the Skyhawks face an uphill battle away against the Kansas State Wildcats.
The Skyhawks continue the 2024 campaign against Southeast Missouri(SEMO), Northern Alabama and Missouri State.
The SEMO Redhawks finished 2023 with a record of 4-7, losing their last three contests. This will be the Skyhawks first matchup against a conference opponent. Last season, the Skyhawks cruised to a 41-14 victory at home against the Redhawks.
The first homestand takes place week three against the Northern Alabama Lions on Sept 14 at Hardy M. Graham stadium at 6 p.m.. The Skyhawks defeated the Lions last season 37-21. The Skyhawks and Lions have only played each other once in the last 33 seasons.
The Skyhawks will then host the Missouri State Bears on Sept 21 at 6 p.m.. The Skyhawks defeated the Bears last year 38-31 in a close matchup. The Skyhawks have only defeated the Bears twice in the nine games against each other all time.
The Skyhawks finish the month of September with an away matchup against the Kennesaw State Owls. The Skyhawks have not faced the Owls since their 44-27 loss to Kennesaw State in 2022. The Skyhawks look to head into homecoming with the momentum of a big road game. The game is on Sept. 28 at 5 p.m..
Pacer Sports Staff Week One Predictions:
Connor Butts – UT Martin 18 @ Kansas State 60
Chyler Lee – UT Martin 10 @ Kansas State 52
Nate Szarzynski – UT Martin 14 @ Kansas State 49
