Ohio Valley Conference

Tennessee-Martin scored on its first five possessions and was able to coast to a 54-14 college football victory over visiting Kentucky Wesleyan Thursday night.
The Skyhawks led 40-0 at halftime and reserves dominated play in the second half for UT Martin which picked up its first victory of the season. A total of 12 different running backs carried the football and seven Skyhawks scored touchdowns.
The Skyhawk defense came up with six pass interceptions, two shy of the school record. Junior defensive back Perez Boyd had three of the pickoffs, one short of tying the individual school record.
"It was a great win for the fact that we got to play everybody," said UT Martin head coach Sam McCorkle. "Our players had much needed fun on the field that they haven't had."
The game began following a memorial ceremony to remember those who perished in the events of September 11.
"I am proud of our team, campus, and students for the way they have handled a very difficult week," said McCorkle. "It is tough to have a candlelight vigil one night and play with enthusiasm the next. I think we handled it (a tragic situation) with a lot of character."
The Skyhawks marched 73 yards on seven plays in the game's opening drive and never looked back. Fullback Arthur Bryant concluded the march with a 14-yard run. Brent Harris' first of seven extra points made the score 7-0 at the 12:16 mark of the first quarter.
After forcing a KWC punt, UT Martin took just five plays to move 60 yards for the second TD. Justin Wall broke loose for a 35-yard' scoring run to make the score 14-0 at the 7:00 mark.
A KWC miscue led the Skyhawks third score. A bad center snap gave UTM possession at the Panthers' 8-yardline. However, the KWC held the Skyhawks forcing a 23-yard field goal by Harris which made the score 17-0 with 3:51 left in the opening quarter.
Damien Harris scored on a 49-yard run on the first play of the second quarter as the primary starters gave way to reserves. Freshman Kendrick Edwards scored on a 4-yard run after the first of Boyd's interceptions gave UTM the ball at the KWC 27-yardline.
UT Martin's Jeremy Anderson blocked a KWC punt through the end zone for a safety to make the score 33-0 at the 5:37 mark of the first half. The first half scoring closed after Boyd intercepted a Panther pass at the KWC 32-yardline. Backup quarterback Duane Corlett scored on a 10-yard run with 33 seconds left.
The Skyhawks scored on their first possession of the second half following a 44-yard punt return by Trent Findley. Shane Williams, the third Skyhawks' quarterback, broke loose for a 37 yard run to make the score 47-0.
The Panthers fought to get in the scoring column with a pair of TD's. Pete Howard threw seven yards to Bobby Cordell to conclude an 80-yard drive. Shawn Payne's PAT made the score 47-7. The Panthers next scored on a 34-yard pass from Keith Nelson to Ryan Denton. The score was 47-14 with the 8:35 remaining in the game.
The game's final score came with 3:35 remaining. Anderson scored on a 6-yard run.
UT Martin finished the game with 363 yards net rushing. The Skyhawks had 104 yards returned on their six interceptions.
KWC (0-3) completed 19-41-6 passes for 208 yards. Joe Almony was the Panthers top receiver with five catches for 55 yards.
The Skyhawks will be off until Sept. 29 when the Ohio Valley Conference schedule begins with a home game against Eastern Kentucky. KWC plays at Cumberland (Tenn.) next Saturday.