NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee State built a 21-7 lead and outgained UT Martin 391-307, but two defensive touchdowns helped the Skyhawks rally for a 42-28 victory Saturday afternoon at Nissan Stadium.
UT Martin improved to 2-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play, while Tennessee State fell to 1-5 and 0-2.
Daylin Lee completed 20 of 39 passes for 376 yards and four touchdowns with three interceptions. Lee and Zack Simmons-Brown each added eight rushing yards.
Cam Bulluck caught seven passes for 191 yards and three touchdowns, including a 99-yard score. Brock Montgomery finished with five receptions for 86 yards, while Dylan Rodd added four catches for 35 yards. Aaron Duncan II recorded a 21-yard touchdown reception.
Bryce Gray led the Tennessee State defense with eight tackles, one sack and one quarterback hurry. Rymen Mosley and Jaylon Price added six tackles apiece. Price recorded a sack and forced a fumble.
Jalen LaBranche and Matthew Wilson each finished with five tackles and a fumble recovery. Tennessee State forced two turnovers and scored seven points off those takeaways.
UT Martin converted four Tennessee State turnovers into 21 points. The Skyhawks returned a fumble 97 yards for a touchdown and added a 23-yard interception return for a score.
The Tennessee State defense limited UT Martin to 307 total yards and 114 passing yards. The Skyhawks rushed for 193 yards and four touchdowns.
The Tigers remain home to face Morgan State at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Nissan Stadium.
How It Happened
Tennessee State's opening possession ended with an interception, but the Tigers regained possession when LaBranche recovered a Chris Franklin fumble at the UT Martin 37.
Lee capitalized on the takeaway with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Duncan, giving Tennessee State a 7-0 lead with 7:19 remaining in the first quarter.
After the defense forced a punt, Tennessee State took possession at its 1-yard line. Lee connected with Bulluck for a 99-yard touchdown on the first play of the drive, extending the lead to 14-0 with 2:50 remaining in the quarter.
UT Martin answered with an 8-yard touchdown run from Tate Surber early in the second quarter.
Tennessee State responded with a seven-play, 86-yard drive. Lee completed passes of 19 and 36 yards to Montgomery before finding Bulluck for a 20-yard touchdown, giving the Tigers a 21-7 advantage with 10:19 left in the half.
Franklin scored on an 8-yard run with 41 seconds remaining to cut Tennessee State's halftime lead to 21-14.
Price sacked Surber and forced a fumble on fourth down during UT Martin's opening possession of the second half. Wilson recovered at the Tennessee State 46, and the Tigers drove to the UT Martin 1.
Tennessee State was stopped on fourth-and-goal when Lee lost two yards and fumbled. Farand Washington recovered the ball and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown, tying the game at 21 with 4:35 remaining in the third quarter.
Makhia Sherrard gave UT Martin its first lead with a 34-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-6 with four seconds left in the quarter.
Porter Reynolds intercepted Lee early in the fourth quarter and returned the ball 44 yards to the Tennessee State 8. A penalty moved the ball to the 4, and Franklin scored on the next play to extend UT Martin's lead to 35-21.
Tennessee State answered with a seven-play, 72-yard drive. Lee connected with Montgomery twice before finding Bulluck for a 29-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 35-28 with 8:12 remaining.
The Tigers advanced to the UT Martin 33 on their next possession before turning the ball over on downs.
Joel Castleberry completed the scoring when he intercepted Lee and returned the pass 23 yards for a touchdown with 2:02 remaining.
Game Notes
» Tennessee State outgained UT Martin 391-307.
» The Tigers held a 376-114 advantage in passing yards.
» Tennessee State scored 14 unanswered points to open the game.
» Tennessee State converted 4 of 11 third downs, while UT Martin finished 3 of 14.
» The Tigers forced two turnovers and scored seven points off takeaways.
» UT Martin scored 21 points off four Tennessee State turnovers.
» Daylin Lee completed 20 of 39 passes for 376 yards and four touchdowns.
» Cam Bulluck caught seven passes for 191 yards and three touchdowns.
» Lee and Bulluck connected for a 99-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
» Bryce Gray led Tennessee State with eight tackles and one sack.
» Jaylon Price recorded six tackles, one sack and one forced fumble.
» Jalen LaBranche and Matthew Wilson each recovered a fumble.
» Tennessee State was penalized eight times for 53 yards, while UT Martin committed 10 penalties for 105 yards.
» Tate Surber completed 15 of 21 passes for 114 yards.
» Chris Franklin rushed 22 times for 82 yards and two touchdowns.
