What can we learn from this game? Only if we struggle at all it should be cause for concern (see SMSU last year). I would expect young guys to get a lot of PT in the 2nd half.
They do return 6 starters from the #6 rated defense in FCS last year and were very good against the pass in particular but looks like they lost a lot in the secondary. They run a 3-3-5 defense that sounds similar to West Virginia's we faced in 2016.
Their offense was one of the worst in FCS.
4. UT MARTIN SKYHAWKS=
LOCATION: Martin, Tennessee
STADIUM: Graham Stadium
HEAD COACH: Jason Simpson (78-59, 12 seasons)
2017 RECORDS: 6-5, 4-4 OVC (4th)
STARTERS RETURNING: 13 (7 offense/6 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: Dresser Winn, QB, So.; LaDarius Galloway, RB, Sr.; Peyton Logan, RB/KR, So.; Jaimiee Bowe, RB, R-Jr.; Jaylon Moore, WR, R-Jr.; Austin Newsom, OL, R-Jr.; Anthony Brown, DL, R-Sr.; Julian Crutchfield, DL, R-Jr.; Garrett Wall, LB, R-Sr.; James Gilleylen, LB, R-Sr.; Kevin Prather, Jr., LB, Sr.; Porter Streator III, S, Gr.
THREE KEY LOSSES: Kahlid Hagens, S; Joseph Este, S; Tae Martin, S
OUTLOOK: In a disappointing campaign last year, the Skyhawks got a jumpstart on this season by pulling the redshirt on QB Winn at midseason. The experience helps, but the offense will be run-dominated with RBs Galloway (859 yards, 4 TDs) and Bowe, who returns from an Achilles tear. The Skyhawks allowed a conference-low 14.3 points per game. LBs Gilleylen and Prather led the team in tackles as juniors, but the defense will need a lift in the secondary after suffering significant losses. In 12 seasons, Martin has never finished below .500 in OVC games.
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They do return 6 starters from the #6 rated defense in FCS last year and were very good against the pass in particular but looks like they lost a lot in the secondary. They run a 3-3-5 defense that sounds similar to West Virginia's we faced in 2016.
Their offense was one of the worst in FCS.
4. UT MARTIN SKYHAWKS=
LOCATION: Martin, Tennessee
STADIUM: Graham Stadium
HEAD COACH: Jason Simpson (78-59, 12 seasons)
2017 RECORDS: 6-5, 4-4 OVC (4th)
STARTERS RETURNING: 13 (7 offense/6 defense)
KEY PLAYERS: Dresser Winn, QB, So.; LaDarius Galloway, RB, Sr.; Peyton Logan, RB/KR, So.; Jaimiee Bowe, RB, R-Jr.; Jaylon Moore, WR, R-Jr.; Austin Newsom, OL, R-Jr.; Anthony Brown, DL, R-Sr.; Julian Crutchfield, DL, R-Jr.; Garrett Wall, LB, R-Sr.; James Gilleylen, LB, R-Sr.; Kevin Prather, Jr., LB, Sr.; Porter Streator III, S, Gr.
THREE KEY LOSSES: Kahlid Hagens, S; Joseph Este, S; Tae Martin, S
OUTLOOK: In a disappointing campaign last year, the Skyhawks got a jumpstart on this season by pulling the redshirt on QB Winn at midseason. The experience helps, but the offense will be run-dominated with RBs Galloway (859 yards, 4 TDs) and Bowe, who returns from an Achilles tear. The Skyhawks allowed a conference-low 14.3 points per game. LBs Gilleylen and Prather led the team in tackles as juniors, but the defense will need a lift in the secondary after suffering significant losses. In 12 seasons, Martin has never finished below .500 in OVC games.
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