In what marks their first conference game of the season, the UT Martin Skyhawks will host the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks for UT Martin Family Weekend 2025.
*Stats are from https://utmsports.com/sports/football/roster, espn.com and https://semoredhawks.com/sports/football/stats.*
What do the Skyhawks and Redhawks share in common? Both teams lost at home by four touchdown possessions to the Southern Illinois Salukis. The Salukis once again had their way in the game thanks to senior dual-threat quarterback D.J. Williams. Williams finished the game with 493 total yards–151 on the ground and 342 through the air–and six total touchdowns–two on the ground and four through the air. The Redhawks defense could not stop anything, allowing 59 points in a 59-31 loss.
On a side note, the Redhawks offense, as mentioned, managed to put up 31 points in the blowout loss. Typically that would mark a great day and a win for the offense, they just did not bet on the Salukis putting up 59. In the 31 points though, there are bound to be some positives. Sophomore wide receiver Kalvin Gilbert had his first career 100 plus receiving yard game. Another Redhawks wide receiver crossed 100 yards for the game in junior Cam Pedro. That marks Pedro’s fourth 100-yard game in his career.
Keep an eye on those two against the Skyhawks secondary, who have allowed three opposing wide receivers to go over 100 receiving yards–UTEP Miners junior Kenny Odom, Miners freshman Toric Gorn Jr. and Missouri State Bears senior Dash Luke.
Making sure Gilbert and Pedro do not get the Skyhawks over the top will be the team’s tackle leaders. Senior safety Jacob Stevenson will lead the way with 28 total tackles on the season, and he will also be looking to add to his forced fumble totals with already having one on the season. On the flip side of the field–sideline to sideline–senior safety Josh Hasting could already pass his career high in tackles–26–as he currently sits at 24 on the season.
In press coverage, look out for senior cornerback JaMichael McGoy Jr.. McGoy is the only player on the team with more than one pass deflection this season at four. McGoy and company will be looking to record their third interception of the season against Redhawks junior quarterback Jax Leatherwood, who is coming off his first thrown interception of the season. Leatherwood comes in with a terrifying frame at quarterback at a height of 6-foot-8 and weight of 253 lbs.
Skyhawks senior quarterback Jase Bauer could be in for a career game. Bauer is facing off against a defense that allowed 342 passing yards and four passing touchdowns while only sacking Williams once. Bauer has been a sharp quarterback this season with a season completion percentage of 69.5 on 105 attempts.
On the flip side of the offense, Bauer could show off his dual-threat ability in the run game against a defense that has allowed 970 rushing yards in four games. Senior running back John Gentry finished his game against the Bears with only two carries for four yards due to an injury he suffered early on. Gentry will seemingly be healthy for the team’s first conference game, though, and could look to finally get over his three-yards-a-carry average. In his place, sophomore running back Thomas Ansley found his way to the end-zone for his first Skyhawks touchdown and the only touchdown scored in the Skyhawks matchup against the Bears. With Gentry battling a possible injury, Ansley should see an increase in workload.
The Skyhawks have struggled–no way around it–but this marks their first OVC-Big South conference game and could be the turning point this team needs.
On family weekend, the Skyhawks will host the Redhawks at Hardy M. Graham Stadium on Sept. 27, 2025 at 6 p.m.
