Gardner-Webb University
UT Martin
October 16, 2026 | Football
MARTIN, Tenn. – The Gardner-Webb football team hits the road for the latest Ohio Valley Conference matchup, traveling to Martin, Tennessee, to take on UT Martin on Saturday afternoon. The Runnin' Bulldogs look to bounce back after falling 21-7 to Eastern Illinois last Saturday at Spangler Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. Eastern at Hardy M. Graham Stadium.
LAST TIME OUT
Gardner-Webb utilized two quarterbacks in its matchup against Eastern Illinois, with Jared Doolittle and Lan Farmer both seeing their first action of the 2026 season with Cole Pennington sidelined by an injury.
Farmer made an impact in his season debut, throwing for 96 yards and a touchdown while adding 58 rushing yards on a rainy afternoon. The Shelby, N.C., native connected with Kory Jones on a 37-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, helping the Runnin' Bulldogs even the score at 7-7 before Eastern Illinois pulled away late.
Pennington has been one of the top quarterbacks in the FCS this season, leading the OVC and ranking fifth nationally with 1,680 passing yards and eight touchdowns.
DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS
Linebacker Tre Yanez continues to anchor the Gardner-Webb defense, leading the OVC with 74 total tackles and 12.5 tackles for loss. The two-time OVC Defensive Player of the Week has also recorded five sacks, consistently disrupting opposing offenses in the backfield.
The Runnin' Bulldogs have demonstrated their ability to create momentum-changing plays defensively, recording a defensive score in four consecutive games before Eastern Illinois snapped that streak last Saturday.
SCOUTING UT MARTIN
UT Martin enters Saturday's matchup following a 42-28 comeback victory over Tennessee State to claim the program's 12th Sgt. York Trophy. The Skyhawks overcame an early deficit by scoring 28 unanswered points to close out the contest and open conference play with a victory.
UT Martin rushed for 193 yards and four touchdowns against the Tigers, led by Chris Franklin, who recorded 93 rushing yards and two scores. Jaydon Peete added 79 rushing yards as the Skyhawks found success on the ground.
The Skyhawks also made their presence felt defensively, forcing four turnovers, including three interceptions, and recording two defensive touchdowns. Farand Washington returned a fumble 97 yards for a score, while Joel Castleberry returned an interception 23 yards for another touchdown. UT Martin leads the nation with four defensive touchdowns this season.
Head coach Jason Simpson reached a milestone in the victory, earning his 100th career OVC win. Simpson became just the third coach in conference history to reach the mark.
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday marks the eighth all-time meeting between Gardner-Webb and UT Martin, with the Skyhawks holding a 4-3 advantage in the series.
The teams have met in each of the past three seasons, with UT Martin winning 37-7 in Boiling Springs last season and 31-28 in 2024. Gardner-Webb claimed a 24-21 victory in the 2023 meeting.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will look to reverse the recent trend and earn a road victory as conference play continues.
GAME INFORMATION
Matchup: Gardner-Webb at UT Martin
Date: Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026
Kickoff: 3 p.m. Eastern
Location: Hardy M. Graham Stadium – Martin, Tenn.
Video: ESPN+
Live Stats:Â https://shorturl.at/k2F4N
Records: Gardner-Webb (2-5, 1-1 OVC); UT Martin (2-4, 1-0 OVC)
