What Is 2018 UT Martin Skyhawks football team

Overview

The 2018 UT Martin Skyhawks football team represented the University of Tennessee at Martin in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Competing as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), the team was led by head coach Jason Simpson, who was in his 13th year at the helm.

The Skyhawks played their home games at Graham Stadium, a 7,500-seat facility in Martin, Tennessee. The 2018 season marked another chapter in the program’s ongoing development under Simpson’s leadership, with modest improvements on offense and defensive consistency challenges.

• Record: The team finished the season with a 5–6 overall record, marking a slight decline from their 6–5 record in 2017.
• Conference performance: In Ohio Valley Conference play, the Skyhawks posted a 4–4 record, placing them in the middle of the OVC standings.
• Home games: All home games were played at Hardy Graham Stadium, which has hosted Skyhawks football since 1998 and features a natural grass playing surface.
• Head coach: Jason Simpson led the team in his 13th season, having taken over the program in 2006 and becoming one of the longest-tenured coaches in FCS.
• Offensive leader: Quarterback Jarod Neal started most games, throwing for 2,102 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions on 60.3% completion.

How It Works

The UT Martin football program operates within the NCAA Division I FCS framework, following a structured season that includes non-conference and conference games, with eligibility for the FCS playoffs for top teams.

• Season Structure: The 2018 season consisted of 11 games—five non-conference matchups and eight OVC contests, though teams only play a subset due to conference size.
• Scholarship Limits: FCS teams are allowed up to 63 scholarship equivalents, distributed across the roster, compared to 85 in the FBS.
• Playoff Eligibility: The Skyhawks were not eligible for the FCS playoffs in 2018 after finishing below .500 overall and tied for fifth in the OVC.
• Recruiting Pipeline: UT Martin focuses on regional talent from Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas, leveraging local high school partnerships and junior colleges.
• Game Preparation: The coaching staff uses film study, position-specific drills, and weekly game planning to adapt to each opponent’s strengths and weaknesses.
• Player Development: The program emphasizes multi-year player growth, with many contributors developing into starters by their junior or senior seasons.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2018 UT Martin Skyhawks compared to other OVC teams in key statistical categories:

This table illustrates that UT Martin ranked mid-tier in the OVC in both scoring and defense. While they outperformed some teams in conference play, their point differential of -39 highlighted consistency issues on both sides of the ball.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season was a transitional year for the Skyhawks, reflecting both the challenges and opportunities of mid-major FCS programs striving for competitiveness.

• Program Stability: Jason Simpson’s long tenure provides rare continuity in college football, helping maintain recruiting and development consistency.
• Conference Competitiveness: The OVC remains competitive, with multiple teams regularly qualifying for FCS playoffs, raising the bar for UT Martin.
• Player Development: Several 2018 players, including Jarod Neal and defensive back Darrell Bowie, went on to become team leaders in subsequent seasons.
• Recruiting Impact: A .500 conference record helped maintain regional recruiting momentum despite the losing overall record.
• Facility Investment: Continued use of Graham Stadium underscores the need for potential upgrades to remain attractive to recruits.
• Future Outlook: The 2018 season laid groundwork for modest improvements in 2019, including a 7–5 record and near-playoff contention.

Though not a standout year, 2018 was part of a broader upward trajectory for UT Martin football under sustained leadership and strategic planning.