The UT Martin Football team continued its hot start to conference play with a dominant 55-14 win over Tennessee Tech. The Skyhawks were looking for their first 3-0 start in conference play since 2006, and an early win in the Sgt. York Trophy series.
The Skyhawks jumped out to a 10-0 lead at the end of the first quarter after a John Bacchus to Colton Dowell touchdown pass and a career-long 45-yard field goal from Ryan Courtright.
Things were just getting started for UT Martin's offense as Peyton Logan would score on an 8-yard touchdown run, and Ryan Courtright would connect on another field goal to make it 20-0 in the 3rd quarter. In the closing moments of the 1st half, Bacchus found Freshman receiver Kevin Butler from 24 yards out for Butler's first career catch and for another touchdown.
Any lingering questions were answered early on in the second half, as the Skyhawks scored 3 more touchdowns within their first 4 plays. Bacchus connected with Dowell for a 73-yard score on the Skyhawks first play from scrimmage in the second half. Bacchus followed it up with his second scoring toss to Kevin Butler, this one from 21 yards out, and again with a short pass to Marqwell Odom, who took it the full 66 yards for another touchdown.
Tennessee Tech would add two late scores to cut UT Martin's lead down to 48-14 in the 4th before Jaimiee Bowe scored on a 25-yard rushing touchdown for good measure. The touchdown run was the 20th career score for Bowe, who now moves into a tie for 4th on the all-time rushing touchdowns list for the Skyhawks.
Lots of historical marks were hit on in the win. John Bacchus would finish with a new career-high 331 passing yards and 5 passing touchdowns. The touchdown run was the 20th career score for Bowe, who now moves into a tie for 4th on the all-time rushing touchdowns list for the Skyhawks.
The Skyhawks 55 points were the most scored against an OVC opponent since 2014 against Murray State. The offense itself racked up 553 yards, which was a season-high for the team. The 3-0 start in conference play is just the second in program history, and the first since the Skyhawks won the OVC in 2006.
The team returns home for a one-game home-stand as they host the winless Eastern Illinois Panthers. Kickoff from Hardy Graham Stadium on Saturday is at 2 p.m.