A dominant rushing performance out of redshirt sophomore running back Sam Franklin set the tone for the University of Tennessee at Martin football team Saturday evening as the Skyhawks defeated Missouri State by a 38-31 margin on Family Weekend at Hardy Graham Stadium.
UT Martin cruised to a 24-7 halftime advantage before the visiting Bears scored 17 unanswered points to even the score with 9:39 remaining. Both sides swapped touchdowns on their ensuing possessions before a Franklin touchdown from 20 yards out – his third score of the night – with 1:45 to go and one final defensive stand sealed the triumph. The victory increased the Skyhawks’ record to 16-2 in home openers under head coach Jason Simpson.
UT Martin stays at home next week when it hosts Houston Christian at 6 on Saturday, Sept. 16. The Skyhawks defeated the Huskies, 52-28, in the first-ever meeting between the two schools last season in Houston.
