Florida football: Know your enemy – UT-Martin Skyhawks

Florida football should get ample time to work out the kinks on Saturday against the first of two FCS foes in the month of September.

Quick Opponent Summary

UT-Martin head coach Jason Simpson kicked off his 14th season with a 42-20 home victory against Northwestern State last Thursday night. The Skyhawks (1-0) and the Gators (1-0) will meet for the first time on Saturday night at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

The Skyhawks are looking to bounce back from a 2-9 season in 2018 that featured Simpson’s first losing record in Ohio Valley Conference play (2-6).

In the last two seasons, UT-Martin made two SEC visits: 45-23 loss at Ole Miss in 2017 and a 51-14 loss at Missouri in 2018. According to the UT-Martin Sports Communications staff, the Skyhawks are 1-26 all-time against FBS foes and Simpson is 0-9 against SEC opponents.

Florida will be the first of two SEC road games on the schedule this season as UT-Martin is also set to face Kentucky in Lexington on November 23.

Offensive Outlook

"Key players:QB John Bachus III (R-FR)RB Peyton Logan (JR)RB Jaimiee Bowe (GRAD)WR Jaylon Moore (R-SR)WR Terry Williams (SR)"

Quarterback

QB  John Bachus III did not put up flashy numbers in his first career start going only 8-20 passing with 130 yards. The redshirt freshman out of Pulaski, Tennesee, hit on passes of 39 and 43 yards respectively, rushed for 28 yards on eight attempts, and added two touchdowns through the air.

Bachus III appeared in three games last season for the Skyhawks, completing 18-29 pass attempts for 286 yards and four touchdowns.

If there ever was a matchup built for Gators DC Todd Grantham blitz heavy scheme, it’s this one. Florida should expose the young quarterback and create several turnovers.

Running Back

UT-Martin will start RB Peyton Logan, who ripped off a 53-yard run in the opener and finished the game with a career-high 149 yards rushing on 13 attempts. In just his second start, the junior ripped off two touchdown runs from both 21 and 53 yards out.

Expect the bigger 210-pound, RB Jaimiee Bowe, to split carries throughout the night.

Wide Receiver/Tight End

WR Jaylon Moore hauled in a 43-yard touchdown reception and TE Colton Dowell added a 39-yard score against Northwestern State, but only two receivers had more than a single catch on the night.

The Skyhawks receiving corps had a quiet night to open the season, but with a freshman quarterback at the helm, that could be a recurring theme throughout the season.

Look for UT-Martin to take a page out of Miami’s playbook in this one and hit on several quick passes and screens in an attempt to off-set an aggressive Florida defense.

6’6″, 250-pound TE Collin Tatko will be the largest target on the field for the Skyhawks, but the redshirt junior has only played sparingly throughout his time at UT-Martin and only hauled in a single catch on two attempts in the opener.

Gators linebackers and defensive backs should be clear to focus on stopping the wide receivers and running backs as it the tight end position does not appear to be much of a threat.

Offensive Line

The offensive line paved the way for 179-yards rushing against Northwestern State.

Overall, size is not an issue for the Skyhawks, but three of the five starters are thin on starting experience.

LT Terry Fultz – 6’6″/315 LBS

• The redshirt senior started every game at right tackle before shifting to left tackle for the final two games of 2018. Fultz is a 2019 Preseason All-OVC selection.

LG Kelton Edward –  6’3″/315 LBS

• JUCO-transfer redshirted in 2018 after a stint at Northeast Mississippi CC made his first start for UT-Martin in the opener.

C Austin Newsom – 6’5″/310 LBS

• Another redshirt senior starting along the line for the Skyhawks. A seasoned vet with 23 career starts.

RG Aries Davis – 6’2″/310 LBS

• JUCO-transfer redshirted in 2018, but still appeared in four games and earned two starts.

RT Malcolm Miller – 6’3″/300 LBS

• JUCO-transfer made his first start for UT-Martin in the opener.

The Gators won’t get close to the 10 sacks posted against Miami, but they should be able to rack up a few more against this relatively inexperienced bunch.

Defensive Breakdown

"Key players:LB TJ Jefferson (R-SR)DE Julian Crutchfield (R-SR)DE Austin Pickett (SR)S Wanya Moton (R-SO)"

The defense is looking to improve after giving up an average of 34.4 points per game in 2018. Despite a 20-point first half against Northwestern State, UT-Martin made adjustments and pitched a shut out in the second half.

Defensive Line

2018 second-team All-OVC selection DE Julian Crutchfield returns for his redshirt senior season. The 6’5″, 300-pounder racked up 41 tackles last season, including 9 TFL and 2 sacks. Crutchfield had four tackles in the season opener but tallied a career-high two quarterback hurries.

Seniors NT Austin Pickett (6’1″, 290), DE Joseph Murry (6’2″, 270), and redshirt junior NT Chase Joy (6’3″, 315) will all rotate in on Saturday night to provide the Skyhawks with an experienced front.

Linebackers

UT-Martin will also feature a seasoned group of linebackers.

Senior T.J. Jefferson recorded a team and career-high 12 tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 sack against Northwestern State. Redshirt senior Sherrod Pittman chimed in with 11 tackles and 2.5 TFL and redshirt senior Malik Harris added another 5 tackles on the night. This core will not be intimated walking onto a big stage.

Frostproof, Florida, native Cecil Cherry, a grad student, should also see a good deal of snaps.

Despite the experience upfront, the Gators will test UT-Martin on the ground and Florida RB Lamical Perine could have a big day.

Secondary

Keep your eye on S Wanya Moton for the Skyhawks.

The second-year starter was named the OVC Defensive Player of the Week on Sunday for his performance against Northwestern State. Aside from 7 tackles and 1 TFL, the redshirt sophomore tallied 2 interceptions, including a 78-yard pick-six. Moton had another interception nullified by a  roughing the passer penalty on linebacker Cecil Cherry.

DB DaVonte Maura, S Takeem Young, S JaQuez Akins, and S Devan Hollins were all active tacklers in the opener and should see more opportunities on Saturday.

Special Teams

K Ryan Courtright was a 2019 Phil Steele All-OVC first-team preseason selection. The redshirt junior kicker was 13-15 on field goals in 2018 hitting on his long of 44 yards on two separate occasions.

P Zane Cox returns after averaging 37.9 yards per punt in 2018. The graduate student had five punts total at least 50 yards last season and he pinned 12 punts inside the 20-yard line.

WR Terry Williams had a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown in the opener against Northwestern State.