The UTM Skyhawks failed to spoil the homecoming of downstate rival Memphis, falling short by a margin of 21-6.
The Skyhawks (6-4) struggled through the air on Saturday, as they were held to only 122 yards passing, a far cry from the 232.4 yards per game the team had been averaging to this point.
“We knew that throwing the ball was going to be very difficult against this defense,” said head coach Jason Simpson. “Our plan was to slow the game down … too many times we got stuck in third and long.”
The Skyhawks were 4-of-14 on third down in the game. This once again compares somewhat unfavorably to the 41.9-percent conversion rate the Skyhawks have managed all year on third down.
UTM opened the scoring on their first drive with a field goal from Jackson Redditt to put UTM up 3-0 early. Redditt converted another attempt late in the second quarter to bring the lead to 6-0. The redshirt sophomore kicker made two of his four attempts on the day, his first miss coming in the second quarter and another partway through the third, both times Redditt’s kick hitting the left upright.
Shortly before the end of the second quarter, Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch scored on a six-yard touchdown scramble to put his team up 7-6 at the half. The redshirt freshman completed 15 of 22 passes for 189 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The pick came early in the second quarter from UTM cornerback and defensive captain Camaren Harris to set up Redditt’s first missed field goal.
The Skyhawks’ defense was in the backfield for a large portion of the night, recording two sacks and six tackles for a loss. Additionally, defensive end Ryan Isom forced a fumble on his lone sack of the evening that was recovered by DJ Roberts.
“[The defense] played their guts out,” said Simson. “I’m very proud of them, they played [well]. … We’ve played good defense all year.”
The score was locked at 7-6 for the entire third quarter and half of the fourth until a 12-yard screen pass from Lynch to Brandon Hayes put the Tigers back in the end zone to make the score 14-6. On the ensuing UTM possession, Memphis intercepted a Jarod Neal pass and proceeded to score again on an eight-yard run by Sam Craft to ice the game at 21-6.
Neither of UT Martin’s quarterbacks were particularly effective on Saturday; Neal earned the start, but only managed six completions on 16 attempts for 105 yards. Former starter, Dylan Favre, attempted only three passes and completed two of them for a total of 17 yards.
Senior running back DJ McNeil started Saturday’s game, but was pulled out near the end of the second quarter with an undisclosed knee injury. He did not play the remainder of the game and an MRI has been scheduled for Sunday.
Meanwhile, backup Abou Toure filled for McNeil, netting 113 yards on 17 attempts, including a 51-yard run down the east sideline near the end of the second quarter.
“I’m very proud of Abou,”said Simpson. “We’ve been waiting for his breakout game all year, so that was good to see.”
The Memphis Tigers notch only their second win on the season and will now travel to face USF on November 16. Meanwhile, the Skyhawks will look to rebound against Eastern Kentucky next Saturday.
“We need to get our passing game going a little bit, but it’s also about protection,” said Simpson. “EKU only gives up about 90 yards a game rushing, so we’ve got to find a way to move the football next week.”
