UT Martin football heads to a first-round game at New Hampshire

The 20th-ranked University of Tennessee at Martin football team believes it has won a share of its fourth straight league championship and will head to a first-round game in the 2024 Division I Football Championship at the No. 16 seed Make New Hampshire. Kickoff at Wildcat Stadium is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on ESPN+.

The Skyhawks (8-4) secured their share of their fourth straight championship after defeating Lindenwood by a 33-26 margin in overtime in the final week of the regular season. With the championship, UT Martin becomes just the fourth program in the Ohio Valley Conference to win four straight league titles.

This is the third postseason appearance in the program’s Division I history. UT Martin made its FCS playoff debut in 2006 with a game at Southern Illinois before returning to the field 15 years later in 2021. This season, the Skyhawks recorded their first postseason victory in their FCS era with a thrilling 32-31 victory over Missouri State before falling to eventual national runner-up Montana State in the second round.

UT Martin currently ranks in the top 10 nationally in five statistical categories, including interceptions (18, 4th), rushing defense (87.7 ypg, 5th), defensive touchdowns (four, 5th) and third down conversion percentage defense ( 30.4%, 7th). and punt returns (14.28, 10).

A total of 14 players received Big South-OVC postseason honors, including nine first-team selections and five second-team selections. First-team honorees include running back Patrick Smithcenter Vance Van Everyright guard Drake Carrolldefensive end Charles PerkinsNose protection Christian DowellLinebackers Jaylon SharpeLinebackers Tevin ShippSafety/punt returner Oshae Baker and cornerback JaMichael McGoy, Jr. The second team consisted of a wide receiver Trevonte Ruckertight end Max Dowlingleft guard Josiah TingleyLinebackers Chris Hunter, Jr. and long snapper Colton peoples.

New Hampshire (8-4) secured the 16th seed in the postseason field after closing the regular season with four straight wins against the Coastal Athletic Association. The Wildcats feature 11 all-conference players – including CAA Defensive Player of the Year Josiah Silver, who finished the regular season ranked third nationally with 11.5 sacks and recorded 17.5 tackles for loss. All-CAA players Wande Owens (101 tackles) and Ryan Toscano (100 tackles) both surpassed the century mark defensively, while quarterback Seth Morgan threw for 2,311 yards and 22 touchdowns this season.

The game will be streamed exclusively on ESPN+, while local fans can tune into Skyhawk Sports Network to hear Davis Gregory (play-by-play) and Chuck Hammer (analyst) call the action. The games will be broadcast on WCMT “Talk and News You Can Use!” with simulcasts on 1410 AM, 100.5 FM, 92.7 FM, 96.1 FM, 99.7 FM and 103.3 FM. These links – in addition to the live statistics – can be found at the top of the page.