2008 Woodie Awards
Turnovers lead to overtime defeat at hands of OVC leader TSU
Josh Weiss
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Sports
UTM threw away two second-half leads and fell to Tennessee State 30-27 in overtime on Saturday.
As the Skyhawks stormed out of locker room, there was a distinct aura about them. Perhaps it was the brand-new orange jerseys that the team was surprised with only moments before the opening kickoff. UTM, who warmed up in the traditional blue jerseys and then took the field in the alternate uniform, had not worn orange since a 42-3 loss to Murray State on Nov. 16, 2002.
The Skyhawks won the coin toss, elected to receive first and marched down the field in decisive fashion on a drive that ended when quarterback Cade Thompson found receiver Mike Hicks open down the middle for a Skyhawks touchdown that, with kicker Tom Hansen's extra point, put UTM up 7-0.
Later in the quarter, the Tigers forced running back Miguel Barnes to fumble and seized the opportunity to tie the game as redshirt freshman Dante Thomas scored his first collegiate touchdown with an 11-yard run with 1:41 left in the first quarter.
Going into Saturday's game, UTM had only turned the ball over five times, but Saturday that mark would almost double against a tough Tennessee State defense.
Just minutes into the second quarter and with the Skyhawks driving, disaster would strike again as Brandyn Young fumbled at the TSU 35. Fortunately, the Skyhawk defense was up to the challenge, forcing the Tigers backwards until UTM standout defender Dontrell Miller intercepted a screen pass at the TSU 25 and took it back for a touchdown to make the score 14-7 in favor of the Skyhawks. Miller is second on the team in touchdowns scored with five on the season, which is an outstanding stat for a defensive player.
After recovering a TSU fumble forced by UTM's Jamar Lawrence on the Tigers' next drive, the Skyhawks were poised to make it a two possession game, and they did just that thanks to a 23-yard field goal from Hansen that made the score 17-7.
At halftime, the Skyhawks still led 17-7 and, despite some miscues, still looked very much in control of the game. However, the tide was about to change.
As the Skyhawks stormed out of locker room, there was a distinct aura about them. Perhaps it was the brand-new orange jerseys that the team was surprised with only moments before the opening kickoff. UTM, who warmed up in the traditional blue jerseys and then took the field in the alternate uniform, had not worn orange since a 42-3 loss to Murray State on Nov. 16, 2002.
The Skyhawks won the coin toss, elected to receive first and marched down the field in decisive fashion on a drive that ended when quarterback Cade Thompson found receiver Mike Hicks open down the middle for a Skyhawks touchdown that, with kicker Tom Hansen's extra point, put UTM up 7-0.
Later in the quarter, the Tigers forced running back Miguel Barnes to fumble and seized the opportunity to tie the game as redshirt freshman Dante Thomas scored his first collegiate touchdown with an 11-yard run with 1:41 left in the first quarter.
Going into Saturday's game, UTM had only turned the ball over five times, but Saturday that mark would almost double against a tough Tennessee State defense.
Just minutes into the second quarter and with the Skyhawks driving, disaster would strike again as Brandyn Young fumbled at the TSU 35. Fortunately, the Skyhawk defense was up to the challenge, forcing the Tigers backwards until UTM standout defender Dontrell Miller intercepted a screen pass at the TSU 25 and took it back for a touchdown to make the score 14-7 in favor of the Skyhawks. Miller is second on the team in touchdowns scored with five on the season, which is an outstanding stat for a defensive player.
After recovering a TSU fumble forced by UTM's Jamar Lawrence on the Tigers' next drive, the Skyhawks were poised to make it a two possession game, and they did just that thanks to a 23-yard field goal from Hansen that made the score 17-7.
At halftime, the Skyhawks still led 17-7 and, despite some miscues, still looked very much in control of the game. However, the tide was about to change.
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