The UT Martin Skyhawks fell to 3-5 on the season on Oct. 24, losing 55-24 to the Western Illinois Leathernecks. It was also the Skyhawks’ first conference loss, falling to 2-1 in Ohio Valley Conference play.
The Leathernecks got on the scoreboard first with a one-yard run by fifth-year quarterback Kennedy McGill. That would be the only score of the first quarter.
After the Leathernecks missed a field goal to start the second quarter, the Skyhawks would get their first score of the game with a 22-yard field goal from sophomore kicker Brandon Sims. The Skyhawks looked to add to their score after forcing a Leathernecks punt on their next possession, but they would fall short as redshirt freshman quarterback Tate Surber would be intercepted by a Leathernecks defensive lineman.
The Leathernecks would take advantage of the interception with a 24-yard touchdown pass from McGill to senior tight end David Hargro, making the score 14-3.
On their next possession, the Skyhawks would get their first touchdown of the game with a two-yard touchdown run from freshman running back Jaydon Peete. The Leathernecks would then match the Skyhawks’ score with a 25-yard touchdown run from McGill.
Western Illinois held a 21-10 lead at halftime and would extend their lead at the start of the third quarter with McGill’s third rushing touchdown on the game from 56 yards, making the score 28-10.
The next possession, the Skyhawks started backed up at their own 11-yard line, but Surber would connect with redshirt sophomore wide receiver Deuce Oliver for a 79-yard completion. Two plays later, Peete would run it into the endzone from two yards for his second touchdown of the game.
The Leathernecks would add another touchdown on their next possession, as senior wide receiver Christian Aniya would connect with sophomore wide receiver Israel Hiraldo on a trick play for a 64-yard touchdown. Then after Surber’s second interception of the game to Leathernecks senior linebacker Nick Reincke, the Leathernecks would add a 28-yard field goal by junior kicker Ronan Culkin, making the score 38-17.
After another Skyhawks punt, McGill would be intercepted by redshirt junior linebacker Stefan Ponder, giving the ball right back to the Skyhawks. They would capitalize on the first play of the fourth quarter, as redshirt junior running back Chris Franklin would take it in from 34 yards out, making the score 38-24. That would be the Skyhawks’ last score of the game.
The Leathernecks would add another field goal from Culkin and two touchdown runs by both Hargro and junior running back Ethan Bryce to close out the game.
Surber completed 18 of 34 passes for 266 yards and two interceptions. Franklin led the team in rushing yards with 57, and Oliver led the team in receiving yards with 119.
McGill and the Leathernecks’ offense finished with 532 total yards of offense, with 329 yards rushing. McGill led the team in rushing yards with 210 and finished with 139 passing yards. Hiraldo led the team in receiving yards with 92.
The Skyhawks will look to get back in the winning column as they return home to host the Eastern Illinois Panthers in their homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 2:00 p.m. at Hardy M. Graham Stadium.
