VS
Date: 10/12/2024
Time: 3 PM CT
Location: Hanson Field, Macomb, IL
TV: ESPN+
UT Martin's Record: The Skyhawks are 3-3 this season and 1-1 in the OVC/Big South. They opened the season with a 41-6 loss at then FBS #17 K-State. Then they opened their OVC season early, playing what could likely be the unofficial "OVC Championship Game" against Southeast Missouri State, falling 45-42 in two OTs. They hosted North Alabama and won 43-28, but then lost to Missouri State 31-24. The next weekend saw UTM knocking off newly-FBS Kennesaw State, 24-13 before getting back into the OVC/BS by winning their own Homecoming game against Gardner-Webb, 35-17.
History: WIU does have a little bit of history with UT Martin, having played them twice. WIU won 56-0 at Hanson Field in 2003, then lost at their place 42-25 in 2022.
Players to Know:
- Senior RB Patrick Smith is averaging just over 100 ypg on the ground and leads the team in scoring with 9 TD
- Grad QB Kinkead Dent has a 119 ypg passing average with 6 TDs and 3 INTS
- Senior WR Trevonte Rucker leads the team in receiving TDs with 4 to go along with 48.8 ypg
- Grad WR DeVonte Tanksley gets more receiving yards, currently averaging 62.75 ypg
- Grad LB Tevin Shipp leads the team in tackles with 36 total (18 solo) and 1 INT, but Grad LB Jaylon Sharpe has 19 solo tackles (31 total) and 10 tackles for loss
- Grad LB Chris Hunter Jr. has 3 interceptions this season and 4 tackles for loss
- Junior Kicker Jaren Van Winkle averages 40.5 yards per punt and also handles placekicking duties, going 6 for 9 on FGs so far this season
- Senior RB Narkel LeFlore is from Glenwood HS in Chicago and spent three seasons at McKendree College before joining the Skyhawks in 2023
- Sophomore K Carlo Arenas is fromIC Catholic Prep in Elmhurst, IL and handles kickoff duties for UTM
- Freshman TE Hyatt Timosciek is from Lockport, IL and spent last year as a redshirt at Northern Illinois
I think the results of this game greatly hinge on how well we're able to stop their RB Smith. Despite the win, we gave up 325 rushing yards to Charleston Southern, and Smith can be explosive against teams that are weak against the run. Compared to the other OVC teams, we currently are giving up an average of 270 ypg on the ground, which is last in the OVC and the second-worst is at 175.7 ypg given up (Lindenwood).
Going into this season, I saw this game and the one against SEMO as the only ones in the conference we really didn't stand much of a chance of winning. While I'm obviously hoping for a big homecoming win, I think it's unlikely we'll get one. Hopefully we can just keep it close and stay competitive with them through the whole game.
Scott Lawson - Board Admin
