It is homecoming week in Martin as the Skyhawks (2-3) face the Gardner Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs (1-4) at 1 p.m. this Saturday.
This will be the Skyhawks’ second conference game of the season after a staple win over Kennesaw State last weekend. This week the Skyhawks get the team they shared the OVC championship with in 2023, Gardner Webb University.
The Skyhawks play a Bulldog team that is replacing a lot of production from last year’s 7-4 team that went 5-1 in the OVC and beat the Skyhawks last year. The Bulldogs are replacing their head coach, quarterback, running back, two wide receivers and a majority of their defensive production. This is all to explain why a team that was 7-4 last year is now 1-4 heading into this weekend.
On offense, a sixth-year senior in Tyler Riddell has been the signal caller for the Bulldogs, but in the Bulldog’s most recent game against Tennessee Tech, Riddell was benched for senior Ren Hefley after Riddell was sacked and fumbled the ball for a Tennessee Tech touchdown. Whether the quarterback is Riddell or Hefley, the Bulldogs want to pass the ball. Between the two, the Bulldogs have accumulated 1,201 yards with five touchdowns on 63% completion percentage.
It is a two headed rushing attack for the Bulldogs with sophomore Carson Gresock and senior Temple transfer Edward Saydee with 266 and 202 rushing yards respectively on 55 carries each. Gresock has been the primary option for the Bulldogs with 35 of his 55 carries coming in the last two games. He’s also been able to find the end zone five times this season.
Pass catchers for the Bulldogs have been productive this season with five separate receivers having eclipsed the 100-yard mark so far this season. Leading the pack is senior Anthony Lowe who transferred from Division II Tiffin University where he amassed over 2,000 yards for the Dragons in three seasons. Lowe leads the Bulldogs with 260 yards on 20 receptions and a touchdown.
Other receiving threats for the Bulldogs include tight end Camden Overton, receiver Caleb Borders, receiver Giovanni Adopte and receiver Jordan Bly all with over 100 yards.
Defensively the Bulldogs have been impressive, led by junior linebacker Trevor Moffitt. An Appalachian State transfer, Moffitt leads the team with 35 tackles while adding 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pick-six for the Bulldogs defense.
Leading a tough Bulldog pass rush is linebacker Raquon Hartley, who is tied for first in the OVC in sacks with four this season, and is third on the team in tackles with 25. Hartley, a transfer from MTSU, also has two forced fumbles this season to go along with two passes defensed.
Other contributors for the Bulldog defense include safety Steven Rose with 30 tackles, linebacker Jackson Marshall with 21 tackles and defensive back Jeff Bowens with three passes defensed.
Offensively, the Skyhawks should continue to run the ball and lean on the ability of OVC leading rusher Patrick Smith and the experienced offensive line that paves the way for him. Also, quarterback Kinkead Dent needs to take advantage of the opportunities through the air when they present themselves and keep the ball out of the Bulldogs’ hands.
Defensively, the Skyhawks need to play a complete game. What I mean by that is that a certain group cannot have an off day. The corners or safeties can not take the day off and neither can the front seven. The Bulldogs run a very complete offense that spreads the ball around. However, The Bulldogs have yet to play a game where they didn’t turn the ball over. The Skyhawks defense needs to take advantage when the Bulldogs put the ball in harm’s way.
The Bulldogs historically have the advantage over the Skyhawks with a 3-2 overall record over the Skyhawks since their first matchup in 2001.
Looking past homecoming weekend, the Skyhawks have three tough matchups that include games at Western Illinois, back home against Eastern Illinois and then back on the road against Tennessee State.
After a clash on homecoming weekend, the Skyhawks must regroup before heading out to Macomb to face the Western Illinois Leathernecks on Oct. 12 at Hanson Field at 3 p.m. The Leathernecks hold a 1-3 record through four contests. After a slow start, the Leathernecks knocked off McKendree 49-32 at home.
The Skyhawks will then return home to host conference rival Eastern Illinois Panthers. The Panthers started the season 1-4 and have really struggled to get going in 2024, while also having a very difficult schedule facing Illinois and Northwestern in the early part of the season. The Skyhawks will face off against the Panthers on Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. at Hardy M. Graham Stadium.
The Skyhawks start November off on the road at the Tennessee State University Tigers. The Tigers are 3-2 through the first 5 games of the season, however, they have not had a signature win this season against a team at the same level or better. The Skyhawks take on the Tigers on Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. at Nissan Stadium.
