Opponent preview series: Tennessee-Martin the first test for Hilltoppers
Editor's note: This is part one of a 12-part series on InsideHilltopperSports.com previewing Western Kentucky football's 12 opponents for the 2021 season. The first opponent preview is Tennessee-Martin.
FBS teams are almost always favorites in games against FCS programs, but every now and then a quality FCS school will sneak up on a FBS club and hand it an upset.
It happened to Western Kentucky in both 2019 and 2018, as the Hilltoppers lost to Central Arkansas and Maine. The Hilltoppers didn't face a FCS program last season, but it's safe to say that they're not going to overlook UT-Martin in their season opener for the 2021 campaign.
GAME INFORMATION
WKU vs. UT-Martin
Thursday, September 2, 2021 | 7 PM
Houchens-Smith Stadium
ESPN+
2020 RESULTS
Murray State – Loss, 14-10
Eastern Illinois – Win, 28-15
Jacksonville State – Loss, 37-20
Austin Peay – Win, 37-34
Tennessee State – Loss, 26-24
Southeast Missouri – Loss, 21-16
Tennessee Tech – Win, 40-7
Overall: 3-4 | Conference: 3-4
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colton Dowell – Wide Receiver – Redshirt Junior
Dowell looks to be the Skyhawks' offensive leader coming into the season after reeling in 40 receptions for 459 yards and four touchdowns during the FCS spring season earlier this year. Starting in all seven games for UT-Martin, Dowell was named to the All-OVC first team as he averaged 11.5 yards per reception and 65.6 all-purpose yards per game. Dowell has played in 30 total games over three seasons with the Skyhawks, scoring 11 TDs with 1,362 all-purpose yards.
Deven Sims – Safety – Redshirt Junior
After recording 60 total tackles – including five for loss – a season ago, the safety Sims is back to anchor the UT-Martin defense this season. A 2021 Preseason All-OVC selection after being named to the All-OVC first team last season, Sims has played in 25 games with the Skyhawks over three seasons – recording 101 total tackles.
John Ford – Linebacker – Graduate Senior
Linebacker John Ford, who made 43 tackles and picked off two passes during the spring, is also back for a UT-Martin defense that gave up just 22 points per game over its seven contests. Ford has tallied 57 tackles in two seasons with the Skyhawks.
OVERALL OUTLOOK
UT-Martin was only able to play seven games last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and just a conference-only slate at that, but the Skyhawks will be pretty fresh heading into September after being able to play in the spring.
Although they're a FCS team, the Skyhawks present a talented roster and won't be just a walk in the park for WKU. The Hilltoppers will have to come out sharp and ready to play, or else it'll be another Central Arkansas or Maine fiasco.
****
Talk about it on RED TOWEL TALK.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
Follow us on Twitter: @WKU_Rivals, @SeanW_Rivals, @TMansfieldMedia, @TheCaseyWarner.
Like us on FACEBOOK.