MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The University of Tennessee at Martin football squad took to the road today for the first time this season, falling by a 52-7 margin at Football Bowl Subdivision opponent West Virginia in front of 47,049 fans at Milan Puskar Stadium.

The Skyhawks (1-2) put together a trio of chunk plays in the opening quarter, averaging 7.3 yards over 20 plays. Julian Calvez hit Connie Hewitt II for a 24-yard pass on the first play of the game before Chris Franklin added a 48-yard run, setting the stage for an eventual UT Martin 1st-and-goal from the 5-yard line. Later in the period, Tate Surber found Kaleb Costner for a 25-yard reception.

At the halftime break, the Skyhawks gained 246 total yards compared to West Virginia's 254 while UT Martin held a 13-8 advantage in first downs. Five of the Skyhawks' seven first-half drives ventured into Mountaineer territory.

In the second half, UT Martin got on the scoreboard with a defensive score. John Betts III scooped up a fumble off a West Virginia read option and returned it across the goal line from six yards out with 3:25 to go in the contest.

Trey Cotton accounted for a game-high 10 tackles today as the Skyhawk defensive unit. Quincy Hamilton and Chris Wilson (0.5 tackles for loss, one pass breakup) also made six tackles apiece to pace UT Martin.

Franklin led the way for the Skyhawk offense today, managing 85 yards on 12 carries for an average of 7.1 yards per tote. Surber took a majority of the snaps at quarterback, going 19-of-28 for 137 yards. His favorite target today was Deuce Oliver, who hauled in a game-high six catches while Costner's 36 receiving yards led nine different UT Martin players who had at least one catch.

On special teams, Max Zuluaga pinned two of his four punts inside the 10-yard line, including a 68-yard boot in the third quarter. Overall, he averaged 53.3 yards per punt while Brandon Sims successfully converted the Skyhawk PAT in the fourth quarter.

The Mountaineers (2-0) was led by quarterback Michael Hawkins, Jr., who combined for four touchdowns while going 5-of-7 for 155 passing yards with 96 rushing yards on six carries. Isaiah Patterson topped the West Virginia defense with eight tackles.


LIBERTY 24, GARDNER-WEBB 23
LYNCHBURG, Va. - Gardner-Webb took on the Liberty Flames on Saturday September 12th and battled back and forth with their FBS opponent but fell just short by a score of 24-23. The Runnin' Bulldogs were able to find a balance between the rush and pass game as they would earn over 115 yards on the ground and keep Liberty on their toes which opened up the passing game for Cole Pennington.

Pennington would continue his solid start to the 2026 campaign throwing for 186 yards on 16 completions. The receiving was balanced through Gio Adopte, Jalile Bost and Kory Jones each having over 30 yards with Jones leading the way with 51 yards. Adopte led the way with receptions hauling in 4 passes.  On the ground Randy Young led the way for Gardner-Webb and broke a huge run for a long of 65 and a touchdown. The offense was able to move the ball effectively despite the loss producing 304 total yards and leading in the Time Of Possession category, having possession for over thirty minutes of the game.

Defensively the Runin' Bulldogs relied on their defense to create stops and force turnovers and keep Liberty's offense off of the field.They were able to do that by limiting the Flames to just two conversions on third down on twelve opportunities.  Gardner-Webb also got in the backfield and picked up four sacks on the day. They would also force two turnovers both being fumbles and one a house call for Sabin McLaughlin in the second quarter to get the Runnin' Bulldogs back in the game after being down 14-3. Zalen Watkins would force the other fumble early in the fourth quarter and Trenton Bell would be the one to recover it giving him his first fumble recovery on the season. Tre Yanez led the way with 10 total tackles with eight solo and 2 tackles for loss. 

The Runnin' Bulldogs held the lead for much of the contest, but Liberty regained the lead when backup quarterback Jaylen Henderson connected with Darius Copeland for a 54-yard touchdown. That score proved to be the difference as the Flames would hold on for the one point victory.


CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 26, THE CITADEL 20  2OT
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern claimed the Lowcountry Boil Bowl for the first time in program history as they defeated The Citadel in double overtime by a final score of 26-20. Hakeem Watters found the endzone from nine yards out to seal the victory over the crosstown rival and get their first win of the 2026 season.
 
The Citadel struck first by scoring on their opening drive after the Bucs went three-and-out to open the game. The Bulldogs drove 71 yards in eight plays with Quentin Hayes connecting with Michael Lorino for 33 yards through the air on a fourth down to go up 7-0.
 
Following this, the Bulldogs offense was stifled for the remainder of the half as they were unable to score again. In the meantime, Charleston Southern's Josiah Wyatt was able to block the punt on The Citadel's second possession of the evening with Anthony Paulk recovering it and having the ball placed at the Bulldogs' 24 following a penalty on the return. Once the Bucs had the ball they handed it off to Harry Smalls five times in a row and saw him punch it in the endzone from one yard out, allowing them to tie it at seven apiece following Matt Rolader's made PAT.
 
After this, Charleston Southern was able to move the ball 35 yards off seven plays to set up for a field goal attempt for Rolader from 48 yards out. This gave the Bucs their first lead of the day at 10-7 with 10:34 left in the first half. This is what carried into the halftime break.
 
On the first possession of the second half for The Citadel, they went 49 yards off 11 plays to boot in a 45-yard field goal to tie the game at 10 apiece. On their next possession they drove 57 yards on 13 plays to set up for a 37-yard field goal to take the lead at 13-10 to begin the fourth quarter.
 
The Buccaneers' Rolader knocked in his second field goal of the game midway through the fourth quarter with this one coming from 52 yards out, tying the game at 13 apiece. Following this, each team turned it over on their ensuing possessions and CSU forced a three-and-out and led to overtime.
 
Both teams scored on their opening possession of overtime with Dwayne Wright punching it in from two yards out to cap off the three-play drive. The Citadel needed five plays to reach the endzone on theirs with a two-yard rush by Gavin Garcia.
 
In the second overtime, The Citadel had the first possession of the period and were stalled on their possession and lined up for 43-yard field goal which they missed. Charleston Southern then got the ball and gave Hakeem Watters a carry followed by KD Dorsey having a 17-yard reception and Watters then punching it in from nine yards out to give CSU the win pushing them ahead at 26-20.
 
Powell finished the day going 8-16 through the air for 84 yards. On the ground, Watters led the team with 56 yards off 11 carries with Smalls getting 39 yards off 11 rushes. Defensively, Tristan Lennon led the team in tackles with 10 on the day and had a sack. Kason Hooks picked up an interception in the contest as well and had two tackles for loss as well as Lennon. Zayachkowsky had nine tackles, while Josiah Wyatt added eight and CJ Landrum finished with seven.


MISSOURI STATE 48, LINDENWOOD 14
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Lindenwood football team (1-2, 1-0 OVC) dropped its game at FBS Missouri State (1-1, 0-0 CUSA) by a score of 48-14 on Saturday night in Springfield, Mo.

Missouri State scored on its opening possession with the help of a key third and fourth down conversion and took an early 7-0 lead. Lindenwood's first series was extended in part to multiple penalties by the Bears but the Lions missed a field goal and still trailed by a touchdown with 4:35 remaining in the first quarter. The Bears found the end zone again before the end of the frame and took a 14-0 advantage into the second.

MSU extended its lead to 27-0 with a pair of scores early in the middle frame.  They would go on to score one more time and lead 34-0 at the break.

The Bears got the scoring started with a touchdown in the third. Lindenwood finally got on the board with just under five minutes to go in the quarter. On fourth down, Pops Battle connected with Drew Krobath from 15 yards out making the score 41-7. The Bears led 48-7 after three.

Lindenwood began the fourth by finishing off a six-play 75 yard drive that began with a few big runs by Noah Triplett and Battle. On a first down play, Battle threw a dart to Elijah Roy who hauled in his first career touchdown pass, making the score 48-14 which would be the final.


INDIANA STATE 42, EASTERN ILLINOIS 35
CHARLESTON, Ill. - On Hall of Fame weekend at Eastern Illinois, the Panthers nearly pulled off a Hall of Fame comeback behind 267 yards passing and 65 yards rushing from quarterback Cole LaCrue.
 
The Panthers comeback bid came up just short in a 42-35 loss to regional rival Indiana State on Saturday night at O'Brien Field.
 
EIU trailed 28-7 at the half and fell behind 35-7 with 11:11 to play in the third quarter before eventually trimming the lead down to 42-35 late in the fourth quarter.
 
Indiana State opened the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run by Aaron Ball with 12:06 to play in the opening quarter.  EIU answered right back as Charles Kellom ripped off a 76-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 with 11:18 to play in the first.   It was Kellom's second long touchdown run this season as he finished with 106 yards on the day and went over the 1,000 yard rushing mark at EIU in the game.
 
The Sycamores added a late first quarter touchdown and then another score midway through the second quarter.  Indiana State went up 28-7 at the half as Ball caught a 1-yard pass from Elijah Owens with seven seconds left in the half.  Owens was a factor all game for ISU rushing for 98 yards and two touchdowns while passing for 284 yards and two more scores.  Owens 42-yard strike to BJ Wuest with 11:11 left in the third quarter built a 35-7 ISU lead.
 
LaCrue helped the Panthers mount a comeback bid.  He hit Jeremy Reeves with a 21-yard touchdown pass and then rushed for an 8-yard score in the third quarter to cut the lead to 35-21.
 
Owens 15-yard run in the fourth quarter built the Sycamores cushion back to 21-points with 10:40 to play.  In the fourth quarter EIU scored on touchdown receptions by Jacarre Fleming-Page and Kellom, the last coming with 4:03 to play as Ja'Wuan Nickson set the Panthers up in prime real estate with an interception.   Nickson led EIU with ten tackles including 1.5 for loss.
 
Indiana State was able to convert on a key third down in the final four minutes to run out the clock and improve to 1-2 on the season.   EIU fell to 1-2.


#25 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 34, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 20
CARBONDALE, Ill. - DJ Williams threw for 286 yards and ran for four touchdowns, including three in the fourth quarter to lead Southern Illinois (2-1) to a 34-20 win over Southeast Missouri (1-2) Saturday night at Saluki Stadium.

In the 94th meeting between the schools located just 48 miles apart, SIU won the War for the Wheel trophy for the second year in a row.

SIU trailed, 20-13, entering the fourth quarter.

Immediately after Teagan Cobb's 70-yard punt pinned the Salukis at their own 3-yard line, Williams completed a 71-yard pass to Kyle Thomas who was tackled at the Redhawks 26-yard line.

Six plays later, Williams scored on a 2-yard run to tie things up at 20-20 with 7:48 remaining in the fourth quarter.

On SEMO's next possession, Gavin Shepard intercepted Braylen Ragland and ran 12 yards to the Redhawks 30-yard line.

Chandler Chapman's 16-yard run then set up a 13-yard run by Williams at the 4:11 mark. That touchdown gave the Salukis their first lead of the night.

SEMO managed to get to SIU's 37-yard line, but David Obadein picked off Ragland and returned his interception 57 yards to the Redhawks 32.

That turnover resulted in a 30-yard touchdown run by Williams to finish off a 21-point fourth quarter for the Salukis.

SIU scored a touchdown on the first play of the game, but it was wiped away by a pass interference penalty. That opening drive ended with a punt and SEMO went to work for the first time at its 12-yard line.

The Redhawks drove to the Saluki 29-yard line before settling for a 39-yard field goal by Justin Keller to grab a 3-0 edge with 8:31 remaining in the first quarter.

LJ Minner, Jr. put a big hit on Eddie Robinson who fumbled the ball on the play. Josiah Raven recovered for SEMO at the Redhawks 49-yard line.

On the next play, Ragland threw a 49-yard pass downfield to Demetrius Pearce giving SEMO a first-and-Goal at the 2-yard line. Payton Brown scored his first touchdown of the season on a 1-yard run pushing the Redhawks lead to 10-0 with just under four minutes left.

SIU answered with a 16-yard touchdown run by Williams on its ensuing drive. Williams' TD narrowed SEMO's lead to 10-7 at the 1:03 mark.

Williams later hooked up with Kyle Thomas on a 24-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 13-13 with 38 seconds to go. Adrian Patterson blocked Seth Adams' PAT try keeping the score deadlocked at halftime.

SEMO pulled ahead again midway through the third quarter. 

With a defender draped all over him, John Anthony, Jr. made an outstanding catch and sprinted down the far sideline to the end zone. The play covered 63 yards giving the Redhawks their final advantage with 7:14 on the clock.

Williams, who did not play at Samford last week after suffering an early-game injury at West Florida (Aug. 27), completed 17-of-30 passes and threw one touchdown in addition to his four rushing TDs.

SIU had 460 total yards to SEMO's 360.

Ragland threw for 316 yards on 20-of-44 passes. Anthony, Jr. caught three passes for 91 yards and a touchdown.

Combined, there were seven turnovers in the contest. SEMO threw four interceptions, while SIU had one interception and two fumbles lost.

Additionally, the Redhawks had just 44 rushing yards.

Defensively, Cyler Christmas and David Jones each posted seven tackles. Jayden Smitherman came away with his first career interception, as well.


ALABAMA A&M 30, TENNESSEE STATE 3
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Tennessee State answered an early 14-point deficit with a 58-yard scoring drive, but Alabama A&M pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 30-3 victory Saturday night in the Legacy Series at Louis Crews Stadium.

Tennessee State dropped to 0-3, while Alabama A&M improved to 2-1.

Daylin Lee completed 19 of 41 passes for 187 yards. Brenton Paul led the Tigers' rushing attack with 40 yards on 12 carries, while Zack Simmons-Brown added 19 yards on nine attempts.

Cam Bulluck led Tennessee State's receivers with four catches for 50 yards. Jayden Guy added four receptions for 44 yards, and Daion Gaston caught three passes for 31 yards. Gaston finished with 128 all-purpose yards, including 97 on kickoff returns.

Bryce Gray led the Tennessee State defense with nine tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Kaiki Baker and Jaylon Price recorded seven tackles apiece. Joshua Reese added three tackles and intercepted a pass in the third quarter.

Sammy Taylor and Khy'lek Jarrett also recorded sacks as Tennessee State finished with three sacks and six tackles for loss. The Tigers limited Alabama A&M to 126 rushing yards and did not allow a rushing touchdown.

Alabama A&M finished with 452 yards of offense, including 326 through the air. Cornelious Brown completed 24 of 38 passes for 326 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Jarel Williams caught eight passes for 175 yards and one touchdown.


WISCONSIN 36, WESTERN ILLINOIS 9
MADISON, Wis. - Western Illinois football competed against Wisconsin on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, with the Leathernecks continuing to battle throughout the afternoon in a 36-9 contest against the Badgers.

Wisconsin got on the board first when Abu Sama III broke free for a 72-yard touchdown run on the Badgers' second possession. Wisconsin added a 30-yard field goal and a blocked punt for a touchdown to take a 17-0 lead.

Western Illinois answered with a 75-yard drive of its own. Kennedy McGill connected with Jacob Kania for 13 yards and Josh Robinson for 18 yards before Ronan Culkin knocked through a 27-yard field goal to get the Leathernecks on the board.

Western Illinois put together another long drive in the second quarter, going 65 yards on 14 plays and taking nearly eight minutes off the clock. McGill had a 17-yard run during the drive and later picked up a first down on fourth-and-two to keep the possession alive. The Leathernecks moved inside the Wisconsin 10-yard line, but settled for another 27-yard field goal from Culkin to make it 20-6. Wisconsin added a 49-yard field goal late in the half, but Western Illinois' defense kept the Badgers out of the end zone on the final possession, sending the game to halftime at 23-6.

Western Illinois came out of halftime with one of its strongest drives of the afternoon, marching 75 yards on 12 plays. McGill connected with Kania for a 45-yard completion to move the Leathernecks deep into Wisconsin territory, while McGill, Ihson Jackson-Anderson and Israel Hiraldo helped Western Illinnois move inside the Wisconsin 10-yard line. After a holding penalty negated a touchdown pass to Tanner Zolnosky, Culkin connected on a 34-yard field goal to bring the Leathernecks within 14 points at 23-9.

Wisconsin responded with a 68-yard drive capped by a 28-yard touchdown run from Darrion Dupree to make it 30-9. Western Illinois continued to compete on both sides of the ball, with the Leatherneck defense holding Wisconsin without a score on its next possession. Luke Droegemueller also provided a key field-position play with a 58-yard punt during the fourth quarter.

Wisconsin added one final touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Colton Joseph connected with Chris Brooks Jr. for a 33-yard score. Western Illinois continued to battle through the final minutes, with the Leathernecks moving the ball and the defense making stops to keep Wisconsin out of the end zone for the remainder of the game. The Badgers ran out the clock to secure the 36-9 result.