Season Opener Set for August 27
The 2026 football season for UT Martin begins on August 27, when the Skyhawks welcome Central Arkansas to Hardy M. Graham Stadium for a highly anticipated opener, featuring a pregame festival and a challenging nonconference schedule.
The matchup marks the first meeting between the two programs since 2014, a span during which UT Martin has built a 9‑5 edge in the series, adding extra intrigue to the contest.
A Series Renewed After a Decade
Scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff on ESPN+, the game will be preceded by a campus‑wide festival that includes student‑athlete activities, interactive games and a fireworks finale, promising a festive atmosphere for fans of all ages.
UT Martin enters the season as the preseason favorite in the Ohio Valley Conference and is ranked among the top teams in the FCS Top 25 poll, reflecting a program that has captured four conference titles in the past five years and reached the playoffs in 2021 and 2024.
Skyhawks Aim to Extend Dominance
Head coach Jason Simpson, now in his twenty‑first year at the helm, will rely on a roster that blends 53 newcomers with 12 players selected to the OVC Preseason Players to Watch list.
Central Arkansas, under head coach Nathan Brown, returns 11 starters, many of whom earned preseason All‑UAC honors on defense, setting the stage for a competitive clash.
A Challenging Road Ahead
The Skyhawks’ schedule is deliberately tough, featuring road trips to FBS powerhouses West Virginia and Memphis, as well as a rivalry game against Austin Peay, a slate designed to test the team early and sharpen its credentials for conference play.
Beyond the on‑field stakes, the opener serves as a showcase for the university’s growing athletic brand, drawing attention to the institution’s academic strengths and community partnerships, including its affiliation with the United Athletic Conference.