Know The Opponent: UT-Martin
The 2025 season opens on Thursday inside Boone Pickens Stadium when the Cowboys host the University of Tennessee at Martin Skyhawks. Here are a few things to know about the Skyhawks.
Conference: Ohio Valley (FCS)
Record: 0-0 2024 record: 9-5 (FCS championship semi-finalist)
Head Coach: Jason Simpson, 19 years, 124-92 (.574)
Offensive Scheme: Wide Zone with Pistol formation incorporation
Defensive Scheme: 4-2-5
Returning Starters: 5
Top Returnees from 2024: QB Jase Bauer, RB Armoni Goodwin, WR Phaizon Wilson, WR DeVonte Tanksley, OL Josiah Tingley, CB JaMichael McGoy Jr, DE Duston Chavis
All-Time Series Record: 0-0
Kickoff, TV & Tickets: 6:30 p.m. Boone Pickens Stadium, ESPN+. Tickets: Available, but limited
The Skyhawks made a run in the FCS Championship bracket last season, losing in the semi-finals to eventual runner-up Montana State. They lost 17 starters from that squad, but Simpson feels like he has reloaded for another run in 2025.
UT-Martin has some recent experience in the scenario they face on Thursday night, as they opened the 2024 season at Big 12 opponent Kansas State. In that game, KSU was able to limit the Skyhawks to just 134 yards of total offense and first downs in a 41-6 Wildcat win.
The Skyhawks are 2-31 all-time versus FBS opponents. For an OSU squad coming off of nine losses in a row to end the 2024 season, the historical record is relatively irrelevant. The Cowboys will be sporting new faces all across both sides of the ball and on the sidelines with the coaching staff (minus head coach Mike Gundy). OSU should certainly hold a talent advantage on Thursday night and be capable of using the game to line out wrinkles in advance of next week’s trip to Oregon. The opportunity to redeem the program from last year’s disaster starts in three days.
