Tennessee Tech (3-0) and Gardner-Webb (2-0) remained perfect in League play with wins on Saturday while UT Martin blocked a field goal as time expired to secure a victory and Southeast Missouri picked up its first Association win of the year.
SCORES
Gardner-Webb 21, @Eastern Illinois 10
@UT Martin 32, Western Illinois 31
#7/10 Tennessee Tech 27, @Charleston Southern 13
@Southeast Missouri 28, Tennessee State 12
GARDNER-WEBB 21, EASTERN ILLINOIS 10 | BOX SCORE
Redshirt junior Carson Gresock ripped off a season-high 137 yards on six carries to go along with a pair of scores, leading the Gardner-Webb to a 21-10 win at Eastern Illinois. Graduate quarterback Nate Hampton produced a solid effort after completing 14-of-22 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown. On the receiving end of the lone passing touchdown was graduate Quasean Holmes, who finished the contest with 97 all-purpose yards, including 83 on the ground. Redshirt sophomore Cahari Haynes anchored a stingy defense with eight stops, including 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. In total, Gardner-Webb tallied a season-best eight sacks. The Runnin' Bulldogs amassed 446 yards of total offense with more than half (251) coming on the ground while EIIU finished the game with only 229 yards on 72 plays, a 3.2 average per play.
UT MARTIN 32, WESTERN ILLINOIS 31 | BOX SCORE
Clutch plays down the stretch lifted the University of Tennessee at Martin football squad as the Skyhawks outscored Western Illinois by a 12-0 margin in the fourth quarter on the way to a 32-31 triumph on Homecoming weekend. Both teams held double-digit leads today as UT Martin went ahead 17-7 midway through the second quarter but it was the Leathernecks who held a 31-20 advantage through 45 minutes of play. Jase Bauer scored a pair of rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter – the last of which came with 1:57 remaining for the Skyhawks’ go-ahead score. Western Illinois was able to move the ball downfield for a potential game-winning field goal attempt with 44 seconds left. However, Lebron Edmond rose above the line to block the Leathernecks’ 48-yard kick and seal the win, improving UT Martin to 2-1 in OVC-Big South play. The Skyhawk defense held Western Illinois to 20 rushing yards in the second half and only 59 total yards in the fourth quarter. The Leathernecks were led by reining OVC-Big South Freshman of the Week Cason Carswell, who completed 21 of his 30 pass attempts for 327 yards and two touchdowns. Demari Davis (four catches, 109 yards) and Alex Williams were on the receiving end of Carswell’s touchdowns while Markell Holman scored twice on the ground.
#7/10 TENNESSEE TECH 27, CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 13 | BOX SCORE
The Golden Eagles improved to 6-0 on the season with the 14-point win over Charleston Southern (1-6, 0-3). It is the first time since 1977 that the Tech football team has been 6-0 and the third time in program history. A team that starts fast and has been outscoring opponents 87-10 in the first quarter and 173 to 35 in the first half was held to 20 first-half points in part by the weather. Tech held CSU to just three points in the second half and limited it to just 63 yards rushing. It was an all-out rushing attack for the Golden Eagles, with QB Kekoa Visperas leading the team in rushing for the second consecutive week with 72 yards. Visperas added 157 yards passing and one touchdown on 17-of-27. Aidan Littles dashed one way and went back the other on a touchdown run for his only TD rush of the game. He finished with 49 yards on just five carries, with 9.8 yards per touch.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 28, TENNESSEE STATE 12 | BOX SCORE
Redshirt-freshman Johnny Weber threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns and Brandon Epton, Jr. ran for a pair of scores leading Southeast Missouri (2-4, 1-1) to a 28-12 victory over Tennessee State (1-5, 0-3) Saturday at Houck Field. In his first career start, Weber completed 24-of-39 passes and hooked up with seven different receivers on at least one completion for the day. Meanwhile, Epton, Jr. finished with multiple touchdowns for the first time in his career. The Redhawks tallied 456 total yards, including a season-high 173 on the ground. Ruble paved the way with 93 yards on 12 carries averaging 7.8 yards per touch. Epton, Jr. followed with 69 yards on 16 attempts. Defensively, the Redhawks were led by Landon Sylvie and Steven Lewis with seven tackles each. Lewis matched a career-high in tackles. He also had 2.5 tackles for loss. The Redhawks recorded a season-high four sacks, as well.