UTM has a historic win over Memphis, 20-17

The UTM Skyhawks pulled off the unimaginable, defeating Memphis 20-17 on Saturday, Sept. 1 in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, in Memphis, Tennessee.

Early in the game, the Skyhawks put pressure on Memphis. However, a stout defensive unit for the Tigers stopped both Skyhawk drives.

Memphis tailback Jerrell Rhodes was able to scamper into the endzone with seven minutes remaining in the first quarter, thus striking first blood of the ballgame.

UTM’s two headed rushing attack Jason McNair and Tevin Barksdale pushed the Skyhawks down the field for a 9-yard Quentin Sims touchdown reception. Both squads struggled keeping an offensive drive going because of such stout defenses. Thus, the score at half time would sit at 7-7.

As the second half began to unfold, a fierce storm rolled in which cause a two-hour-forty-minute rain delay with 7:35 remaining in the third quarter. Once play was resumed, the Skyhawks had a short field with only 35 yards to go. Quarterback Derek Carr led an impressive drive which resulted in a DJ McNeil touchdown run.

After an impressive drive by the Memphis Tigers, the game would be tied at 17 after Memphis quarterback Jacob Karam connected with wide out Marcus Rucker for a 20-yard score.

What happened next is nothing short of magical for any Skyhawk fan, for it would mark the first time UTM beat an FBS school in university history.

The Skyhawks were forced to punt on the next possession, but senior Nate Rottero recovered a fumble forced by McNeil on the punt and the Skyhawks had the ball on the Memphis 27-yard line with about 12 seconds left in a game that began at 6 p.m, and was closing in on midnight.

Cody Sandlin, a senior from Goodlettsville Tennessee, would make the kick of his lifetime, for he connected with a 43-yard, game-winning field goal with only 4 seconds remaining in the ballgame. Skyhawk head coach, Jason Simpson, talked about his thoughts sending Sandlin out to win the game for UTM.