Opponent Name: University of Tennessee at Martin
Enrollment: Approximately 7,000
Mascot: SkyHawks
Conference: Ohio Valley Conference
Notable Alumni: Fred Thomas, former Saints CB; Pat Summit, Tennessee Women's Basketball Coach; Leonard Hamilton, Florida State Men's Basketball Coach; Methamphetamine, longtime resident of the area
Location: (See below map)
The UT-Martin SkyHawks dot the State schedule this year for the 9th game on Saturday, November 5th. This game will also serve as the homecoming game, aka cupcake opponent and none of the girls watch the game they just judge the girls on the homecoming court the whole time OH I KNOW THEY DIDN'T PUT THAT HOE ON THE COURT (they did)
This years homecoming opponent may seem to be another pushover FCS university, but the SkyHawks do return some talented players. This season's squad returns 5 pre-season all OVC performers. From the School's Website:
Seniors Stephen Shiver and Kenny Jones were named to Phil Steele's 2011 Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference first team while junior running back Jason McNair was named to the second team. Defensive lineman Darrin Nalls and defensive back Kendal Harper were named to the second team defense, while punt returner CJ Estelle was named to the special teams second squad.
Shiver led the Skyhawks in receiving this past season with 36 catches for 634 yards and five touchdowns. He averaged 17.6 yards per catch.
Jones, who saw action at fullback and tight end in 2010, had 16 catches for 248 yards. He averaged 15.5 yards per catch.
Nalls led the defense with seven TFL's and five sacks. He finished the 2010 season with 28 total tackles.
Harper was second on the team with 42 total tackles. He had three interceptions and six pass breakups along with two fumble recoveries.
Estelle returned 17 punts for 195 yards. He had a 50-yard punt return against Austin Peay and a 46-yard return against Tennessee State. He ranked second in the OVC with a 13.9-yard average punt return.
After taking that trip into Phil Steele la-la land, it's back to reality for the Skyhawks. Barring injuries, by this point in the season the Bulldog offense should be a smooth running machine and should run, pass and catch their way past the men from Martin. Not to mention, by this time in the season, Fletcher Cox and Josh Boyd will need sustenance to keep them warm in the winter (HIDE YA SCRAGGLY 3RD STRING RUNNING BACKS MARTIN)
Sparing you the reader another session of telling you how good Ballard and Perkins are (you know they're good), let's get down to the point: this game should be over by halftime. And after the boys take it in at the half our biggest concern of the day will be which of the 3 bulldogs has the cowbell (the Jumbotron game in the 3rd quarter) and if we really think whiskey-pong is such a good idea. My prediction is the Bulldogs sputter some due to overlooking this game for the HUGE match-up with Bama at home the next week, but we should ultimately straighten things out for a nice 3-4 TD win.
Score Prediction: 34-10 Bulldogs
Weather Prediction: November in Mississippi, so I'll say it'll be cool and we'll be all excited and wear long sleeves, then curse when it gets to like 70 and we're sweating in the middle of the student section.
Homecoming dance prediction: Will Billy ask you to the school homecoming dance before that friday? only time will tell
Beer Prediction: A nice Sam Adams Octoberfest should suffice
In an unexpected move, the UT-Martin School Pres. texted me this week asking me to help him come up with a "cool, hip" name for the school that will make all the kids want to drive out to the middle of nowhere to go to college come to a great place like Martin! So here are a few names I told him to consider:
- UT-Martina Hingis (Tennis Powerhouse)
- UTween Memphis n Nashville
- UT-l-y you aint got no alibi... I'll stop there
- Martinessee (like a celebrity couple name)
- Martin (editor yells at me that that has already been used for a popular sitcom in the 90's featuring Martin Lawrence)
- Vanderbilt-West
that's all I got
A few UT-Martin Links:
And just because I was thinking about it, a Martin clip for ya
Martin Variety Show Part 1 (via BigBlackGuy3)
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