Franklin runs for 221 yards, 2 TDS, UT Martin pulls away from North Alabama 37-21
FLORENCE, Ala. -- — Sam Franklin ran for a career-high 221 yards and two long touchdowns in the fourth quarter and UT Martin dominated the second half for a 37-21 win over North Alabama on Saturday night.
Trailing 21-10 at the half, the Skyhawks used a long drive and a muffed punt to take the lead. Franklin then scored on runs of 74 and 43 yards to ice the win. Franklin, a sophomore, now has five career TDs of at least 65 yards and 10 of at least 20 yards.
North Alabama had a missed field goal, two punts, two failed two-point conversions and an interception end its second half possessions.
Marlon Cook scored on a four-yard run to cap an 80-yard drive then Kinkead Dent found Zoe Roberts for a 17-yard touchdown after Wyatt Gilbert recovered a muffed punt at the 19 to give UT Martin a 23-21 lead.
Dent was 13 of 30 for 172 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Skyhawks (3-1), who had 308 yards on the ground.
Noah Walters was 30 of 52 for 286 yards and three touchdowns with an interception for the Lions (2-3), who honored their 1993 DII national championship team before and after the game. Walters had a short touchdown pass to Takairee Kenebrew and a 41-yard connection with Dakota Warfield in the first quarter. He found Kobe Warden for 11 yards in the second quarter. Warden had 11 catches for 106 yards. ------
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Game Information
2024 Big South-OVC Association Standings
Team | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
Southeast Missouri State | 5-0 | 8-1 |
UT Martin | 4-1 | 6-3 |
Tennessee Tech | 4-2 | 4-5 |
Tennessee State | 3-2 | 6-3 |
Lindenwood | 3-3 | 4-6 |
Gardner-Webb | 2-3 | 3-6 |
Western Illinois | 2-3 | 3-6 |
Eastern Illinois | 1-4 | 2-7 |
Charleston Southern | 0-6 | 1-8 |
2024 United Athletic Conference Standings
Team | CONF | OVR |
---|---|---|
Abilene Christian | 5-1 | 6-3 |
Tarleton State | 4-1 | 7-2 |
Southern Utah | 3-2 | 4-5 |
Central Arkansas | 3-2 | 6-3 |
Eastern Kentucky | 3-2 | 5-4 |
Austin Peay | 3-3 | 4-5 |
North Alabama | 3-3 | 3-7 |
Utah Tech | 1-5 | 1-9 |
West Georgia | 0-6 | 3-6 |