In a clash of reigning OVC champions, the No. 16 ranked UT Martin football team looks to claim its third consecutive league title Saturday in a heavyweight matchup against long-time rival Southeast Missouri.
Prior to the contest, the Skyhawks will honor the team’s graduating members for Senior Day.
In addition to pregame festivities honoring the team’s seniors, UT Martin will show its appreciation for our active duty and military veterans by providing complimentary admission in conjunction with Veterans Day and its Military Appreciation Game.
Ranked No. 16 in the AFCA Coaches’ Poll, the Skyhawks (7-2, 4-1 OVC) enter the matchup looking for a win to secure the program’s third consecutive conference title. UT Martin won the championship outright in 2021 and shared the trophy with Southeast Missouri after posting a perfect 5-0 record in 2022. A win would guarantee the Skyhawks at least a share of the 2023 Big South-OVC Football Association crown.
Hardy Graham Stadium has been a friendly home for the Skyhawks as the squad is a perfect 4-0 on its home turf this season. UT Martin has won 20 of the last 23 games played at home – including a 13-1 record over the past three season – while winning every game against conference foes since the 2020-21 campaign.
The Skyhawks are coming off a thrilling comeback victory at Tennessee Tech in which the squad overcame a 14-point fourth quarter deficit before notching their second overtime victory of the year by a final score of 44-41. Graduate quarterback Kinkead Dent was named Big South-OVC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in which he threw for 318 yards and five touchdowns. Receiver DeVonte Tanksley eclipsed 100 receiving yards in the contest while overtime-hero Zoe Roberts caught a pair of touchdowns – including a game-winning snag which earned him the No. 1 spot on SportsCenter’s Top Plays.
Southeast Missouri (4-5, 3-1 OVC) is coming off the team’s first loss in association play after falling at home to Robert Morris by a final score of 21-20. The Redhawks need a win to keep their championship hopes alive while running back Geno Hess (830 yards and eight touchdowns) and wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (680 yards and five touchdowns) led the team offensively. Defensively, the team is anchored by veteran linebacker Bryce Norman with 73 total tackles.
Saturday’s contest marks the 39th meeting in a highly-contested rivalry between UT Martin and Southeast Missouri with each team winning 19 games each in the series. While head coach Jason Simpson has posted an 11-6 record against SEMO in his career, the two programs have split the last 10 meetings right down the middle.
Kickoff for the Skyhawks and Redhawks is at 2:00 with Davis Gregory, John Hatler, and Chris Brinkley calling the action beginning at 1:30 on WCMT-Talk and News You Can Use.
