Defending four-time conference champion University of Tennessee at Martin will compete for a national title as the Football Championship Subdivision Selection Committee announced that the Skyhawks will face New Hampshire in the opening round of the 24-team NCAA Division I tournament. Kickoff from Durham, NH will take place on Saturday, Nov. 30 at noon CT.
UT Martin enters the postseason with an 8-4 record and a 6-2 mark in the Big South-OVC standings, earning an at-large berth into the bracket. This marks the Skyhawks’ third all-time FCS playoff appearance, also making the field in 2021 (won at Missouri State, lost at Montana State) and 2006 (lost at Southern Illinois).
Winners of seven of its last eight contests, UT Martin currently ranks in the top-25 nationally in passes intercepted (18, fourth), defensive touchdowns (4, fifth), rushing defense (87.7 yards per game, fifth), third down conversion percentage defense (.304, seventh), punt returns (14.28 yards, 10th), turnovers gained (23, 15th), team passing efficiency defense (118.06, 22nd) and scoring offense (31.8 points per game, 25th).
Ranked No. 22 in the Stats Perform poll and No. 24 in last week’s AFCA poll, the Skyhawks are led by head coach Jason Simpson. The Ellisville, Miss. native is in his 19th season at the helm as his 123 victories rank third in Ohio Valley Conference history.
New Hampshire (8-4, 6-2 Colonial Athletic Association) ended its season on a four-game winning streak and was ranked No. 24 in last week’s Stats Perform poll. Third-year head coach Rick Santos oversees a Wildcat squad that ranks fifth nationally in fewest penalty yards per game (35.92), 10th in completion percentage (.662), 10th in kickoff return defense (15.85 yards), 10th in red zone defense (.700), 11th in third down conversion percentage defense (.315), 12th in time of possession (32:13 per game), 15th in team sacks (2.67 per game), 17th in first downs defense (190) and 21st in scoring defense (20.9 points per game), 22nd in fumbles recovered (nine).
First-round games in the NCAA Division I Football Championship will take place on Nov. 30 while Round 2 matchups are set for Dec. 7. The quarterfinals are set for Dec. 13-14 before the semifinal round on Dec. 21. The national championship will take place at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.
