Final Statistics

MARTIN, Tenn. – Eastern Kentucky forced and recovered a fumble on the first drive of the game, and turned it into an early lead, but Tennessee-Martin scored the next 33 points on the way to a 33-3 Ohio Valley Conference football victory on Saturday.
 
On the opening possession of the game, Taquan Evans forced and recovered a fumble when he sacked the quarterback to give the Colonels (2-6, 1-4 OVC) the ball at the UTM 19 yard line.  Lucas Williams converted a 20 yard field goal moments later to give the visitors a 3-0 lead.
 
However, the Skyhawks (5-4, 4-1 OVC) scored 21 unanswered first half points to put the game away.  Ladevin Fair got UT Martin on the board with an eight-yard touchdown run with 3:41 left in the first quarter.  On the first play of the second quarter, CJ McElrath connected with Fair for a 33-yard touchdown pass.
 
A nine-yard interception return for a touchdown by James Gilleylen with 23 seconds left in the second quarter sent UT Martin to the locker room up 21-3 at halftime.
 
Tyler Swafford finished 9-for-26 for 129 yards for the Colonels.  Devin Borders caught two passes for 59 yards.  Kiante Northington had game-best 16 tackles and Jeffrey Canady finished with 14.
 
Fair ran for 181 yards and scored two touchdowns for the Skyhawks.  Jamiee Bowe added 92 yards on 20 carries as UT Martin totaled 364 yards on the ground.  Troy Cook went 8-for-15 for 112 yards and tossed an interception. 
 
EKU returns home to face in-state rival Murray State next Saturday at Roy Kidd Stadium.  Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
NOTES
In the first quarter, quarterback Bennie Coney moved past Jim Guice (5,041 yards) into third place on EKU's career passing yards list.
 
UT Martin entered the game receiving votes in the STATS FCS Poll.