Chicago State dropped to 0-2 Saturday, allowing UT Martin more than 200 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. (Photo by UTMSports.com)
By Barry Bottino
Chicago State left Martin, Tenn., on Saturday afternoon with a rundown feeling.
The reason? The UT Martin Skyhawks rushed for 216 yards and six touchdowns to beat FCS newcomer Chicago State, 42-7.
Martin, which was picked to win the Ohio Valley Conference in the league’s preseason poll, averaged 5.7 yards per carry in the win and was led by running back Tommy Ansley’s 106-yard outing and three touchdowns.
The Cougars (0-2) took a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter on quarterback Ashton Pannell’s 6-yard scoring pass to wide receiver DeArmond Matthews.
The Skyhawks (1-1) scored 21 points in the first quarter and tacked on three more fourth-quarter touchdowns.
Pannell finished 20-for-33 passing for 153 yards, but the Cougars managed only 38 rushing yards on 27 carries.
Linebacker Adrian Bowers compiled 10 tackles, while safety Jayden Earley intercepted a pass and cornerback Tehron Spencer Jr. recovered a fumble.
Game changers
7:17, 1st quarter: Parnell threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to DeArmond Matthews for the game’s opening score.
6:31, 2nd quarter: UT Martin’s Chris Franklin scored on a 1-yard run to give the Skyhawks a 21-7 halftime lead.
6:08, 4th quarter: Ansley rushed for a 1-yard score, his third touchdown of the game.
What it means
The Cougars fell to 0-2 in their inaugural season.
What’s next?
The Cougars host NAIA Kentucky Christian at noon on Saturday, Sept. 12.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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