Sophomore running back Tommy Ansley (39) runs the ball during the UT Martin vs. TN Tech game in Cookeville, Tenn., on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (Photo by UT Martin University Relations)

It was a hard-fought effort, but it was not enough to upset the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles as the UT Martin Skyhawks fell 20-17. 

UT Martin held the lead for the majority of the game, but a late TN Tech touchdown and field goal pulled the game out of reach.  

The UTM offense was spearheaded by senior quarterback Jase Bauer, who led the team with 155 passing yards and a touchdown through the air as well on the ground.  

Bauer got things started with a 27-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Bryce Bailey, who was interfered with but still able to make the catch. That would also be Bailey’s lone catch of the day as the majority of passes went toward senior receiver Scottie Alexander. 

Alexander finished his day with 60 receiving yards on six catches through seven targets on the day.  

Another offensive standout was sophomore running back Thomas Ansley. While Ansley ran for just 30 yards on the ground, he contributed with a 38-yard catch and run to put UTM in scoring position. However, it would not be an easy day for the UTM offense as the TN Tech pass rush would be sure to move Bauer off his spot and force him to make tough passes.  

Four separate Golden Eagles tallied a sack with the biggest from senior linebacker Anthony Swafford, who sacked Bauer for a loss of 10 to push UTM out of field goal range late in the game.  

On defense, after a 58-yard rush to open a drive, UTM shut down the run game for TN Tech. After that, TN Tech would average just one yard per carry on 18 attempts.  

The pass game was what killed UT Martin in the end as TN Tech junior quarterback Kekoa Visperas threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns against the UT Martin defense with the majority of those yards (189) and both touchdowns from the second half. 

Early in the game, UTM played man coverage to force Visperas to make tough throws. In the first half it worked as Visperas was almost a non-factor in the game. But when the second half picked up, Visperas started to make those throws. Toughest of all was the one to tie the game up 17-17. After a long drive, TN Tech faced third and goal from eight yards out.  

In a prayer, Visperas threw a ball to senior tight end Brian Courtney. 

Courtney leaped over two UTM defenders and would make a one-handed grab in the back of the end zone to tie the game up. UTM attempted to respond, but the aforementioned Swafford sack would stall their drive. 

After a punt, TN Tech marched down the field—with the help of a questionable roughing the passer call—and got well within UT Martin territory to kick the game winning field goal. 

The loss marks the first time the Skyhawks were not Big South-OVC Champions since 2020—the end of a four-year streak of domination. The loss also marks the end of the 2025 season for UT Martin, who finished 6-6 on the season after they scratched and clawed their way back from a 1-5 start.