UT Martin opens its 93rd season of football and 31st as a Division I program in 2022. The Skyhawks are 39-51-2 in season openers in the program's history – including a 2-3 mark against Football Championship Subdivision opponents under head coach Jason Simpson.
The Skyhawks enter the season ranked No. 15 in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 and No. 18 in the Stats Perform Top 25. UT Martin is looking to build upon the program's second OVC championship in 2021 while posting a 10-3 overall mark and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division I playoffs.
UT Martin boasts three preseason All-Americans in center Matthan Hatchie, linebacker John H. Ford II and safety Deven Sims. Ford was also tabbed OVC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. In total, the 2022 OVC preseason favorites had eight players garner preseason all-conference honors with Hatchie, Ford and Sims being joined by running back Zak Wallace, wide receiver Colton Dowell, offensive lineman Gavin Olson, offensive lineman Lamar Morgan and safety Oshae Baker.
Entering his 17th season on the sidelines, Skyhawk head coach Jason Simpson possesses a career record of 100-80. The two-time OVC Coach of the Year ranks fourth in league history in career victories.
Western Illinois opens its first season under the direction of head coach Myers Hendrickson in his return to his alma mater. The Fighting Leathernecks are looking to bounce back from a 2-9 campaign in 2021 with a reworked roster.
Thursday's contest marks the second meeting between the two programs in series history and first since 2003. Western Illinois came out victorious in the previous meeting on Sept. 20, 2003 by a score of 56-0 in Macomb.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with John Hatler (play-by-play) and Chris Brinkley (analyst) calling the action. Fans can also tune into WCMT Radio 1410 AM/100.5 FM for the radio broadcast. Those links – in addition to live stats – can be found at the top of the page.
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