Box Score
Eastern Illinois scored the first points of the game with
Pierce Holley hitting
Cooper Willman for a seven-yard touchdown on the opening drive to lead 7-0.
UT Martin answered with 21 straight points to lead 21-10 at the half on the way to a 52-17 win over EIU.
Max Dowling tied the game with a 33-yard touchdown reception from Kinkead Dent, the first of two touchdown connections between the Skyhawks quarterback and tight end. Dent finished the game passing for 248 yards and three touchdowns.
EIU would cut the margin to 21-10 with a
Julian Patino field goal from 19-yard with 3:40 left in the first half.
Patrick Smith scored his second rushing touchdown of the game to open the second half capping the drive with a 1-yard run to push UTM's lead out to 28-10.
EIU again cut into the lead with the second Holley passing touchdown of the day hitting
Alex Herrera with a 17-yard touchdown pass with 5:21 to play in the game. Holley passed for more than 300 yards for the fourth straight game finishing with 348 yards.
Willman was the top target of the game with 11 receptions for 143 yards and the touchdown.
EIU's defense was led by
Malik Rainey and
Anthony Shockey each with eight tackles.Â
The Skyhawks final score came on an interception return for touchdown by Jaylon Sharpe covering 72 yards, the third UTM interception of the game.
UTM improves to 5-3 overall, 3-1 in the Big South OVC. EIU falls to 1-7 overall, 0-4 in the Big South OVC.