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2008 UT Martin Skyhawks
? Roster | Coaching Staff | Schedule & Results | Stats
? 2007 Record: 4-7, Ohio Valley: 4-4
? Last Game: UT Martin 43, Tennessee State 4l
? Depth Chart | Game Notes | 2008 Media Guide
? UTM Press Conference Coach & Player Quotes
? Official Site: UTMSports.com | Media: NTWNToday.com
UT Martin's Top Players
Two junior quarterbacks, Cade Thompson and Dexter Anoka, return for UT Martin after both threw for over 1,000 yards last season. Thompson is slated to start but both will likely see action. The top playmaker for the Skyhawks should be junior wide out Roren Thomas. The All-OVC preseason selection caught 39 passes last year for 553 yards and 6 touchdowns. Offensive lineman left guard Kevin Bannon is also a preseason All-Conference pick. Defensively, look for defensive tackle Ray Williams and defensive end Nate Wilson to lead the way. Williams was a second-team All-Conference selection last year, while Wilson is a three-year starter.
Brother in the BIG EAST
UT Martin junior defensive end Tirrdell Byrd is the brother of Cincinnati All-BIG EAST defensive lineman Terrill Byrd. Tirrdell is listed as a second team defensive end on the Skyhawks two-deep. He has played in 23 games over the past two seasons and had 22 tackles and four sacks last season.
One Floridian On UTM Roster
The UT Martin roster has one player from Florida on it, and he is a Tampa area kid. Senior center Tyler DeJarnett is the starting center for the Skyhawks after attending Clearwater Central Catholic. The 6-1, 260-pounder has appeared in 23 career games for UT Martin.
A Closer Look at Coach Simpson
Birthdate: January 25, 1971
Hometown: Ellisville, Miss.
College: Southern Miss ,1995
Family: wife, Julie; son, Ty; daughter, Emma
Coaching history
2006 - Present UT Martin (Head Coach)
2003- 2005 Chattanooga (Offensive Coordinator)
2000-2002 Texas State
(Quarterbacks, Receivers, Recruiting Coordinator)
2000 Blinn Junior College
(Quarterbacks, Receivers)
1997-1999 Jacksonville State
(Passing Game Coordinator, Receivers)
1995-1996 Collins (Miss.) High School
1995 Delta State (Defensive Backs)
Skyhawks Picked Fifth
UT Martin was picked to finish fifth out of nine teams in the Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll, selected by the OVC head coaches and Sports Information Directors.
Some National Ink
On a national stage, the Skyhawks are ranked 21st in the preseason poll in Phil Steele's Football magazine and received votes in the Sports Network FCS preseason poll.
Some Common Opponents
UT Martin and the Bulls have three common opponents in their history. USF has faced OVC foes Austin Peay, Tennessee Tech and Jacksonville State, going 3-0 and outscoring the trio 120-7. The Skyhawks also face Auburn later in the year, a team the Bulls knocked off last season.
Offensive Minded
UT Martin led the OVC in points per game last season averaging 33.4 per game. They were second in rushing per game at 202.5. | 