What Is 2014 UT Martin Skyhawks football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 UT Martin Skyhawks football team represented the University of Tennessee at Martin in the NCAA Division I FCS football season, finishing with a 6–5 record under head coach Jason Simpson. They competed in the Ohio Valley Conference and played home games at Graham Stadium.

Key Facts

The 2014 UT Martin Skyhawks finished the season with a 6–5 overall record
Head coach Jason Simpson led the team during his 8th season at UT Martin
The Skyhawks played their home games at Graham Stadium in Martin, Tennessee
They were members of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) in 2014
Quarterback B.J. Bohannon started most games, throwing for 1,752 yards and 10 touchdowns

Overview

The 2014 UT Martin Skyhawks football team represented the University of Tennessee at Martin in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Competing as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), the team was led by head coach Jason Simpson, who was in his eighth season at the helm.

Playing their home games at Graham Stadium in Martin, Tennessee, the Skyhawks aimed for postseason eligibility but fell short of a playoff berth. Despite a losing record in conference play, the team showed resilience with several close games and a competitive spirit throughout the season.

Record: The team finished with a 6–5 overall record, marking a slight improvement over previous seasons and demonstrating growth under long-term leadership.
Head Coach: Jason Simpson, entering his eighth year, continued to build the program with a focus on disciplined, run-oriented football and strong special teams.
Stadium: Graham Stadium, with a capacity of approximately 7,500, served as the home venue and provided a tight-knit, energetic atmosphere for fans.
Conference: As a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, the Skyhawks faced tough competition from schools like Eastern Illinois and Tennessee State.
Quarterback: B.J. Bohannon started most games, throwing for 1,752 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also contributing on the ground.

How It Works

The structure and operation of the 2014 UT Martin Skyhawks football program followed standard NCAA Division I FCS protocols, including scholarship limits, scheduling, and conference alignment. The team’s season was built around a mix of non-conference challenges and OVC matchups.

Roster Construction: The team operated under FCS scholarship limits, offering up to 63 full scholarships, distributed across the roster to maintain competitive depth.
Season Schedule: The Skyhawks played a 11-game regular season, including 6 conference games and 5 non-conference matchups against FBS and FCS opponents.
Offensive Strategy: Utilizing a balanced attack, the team averaged 22.1 points per game and relied on both the run and play-action passing.
Defensive Approach: The defense allowed 25.8 points per game, struggling at times against high-powered OVC offenses but showing improvement late in the season.
Recruiting Pipeline: The program focused on regional talent from Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas, emphasizing character and academic eligibility.
Strength and Conditioning: The team followed a year-round training regimen led by dedicated staff to improve speed, power, and injury prevention.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2014 UT Martin Skyhawks’ performance can be better understood when compared to peer teams in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Team	Overall Record	OVC Record	Points For	Points Against
UT Martin	6–5	4–4	243	284
Tennessee State	7–4	6–2	308	247
Eastern Illinois	6–5	5–3	289	272
Southeast Missouri State	5–6	3–5	217	298
Morehead State	3–8	2–6	186	312

The table highlights that UT Martin ranked in the middle of the OVC in 2014. While they scored fewer points than conference leaders, their defense improved over the season’s final weeks, allowing under 20 points in two of the last four games.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season was a transitional year that laid the foundation for future success under Jason Simpson’s leadership. Though not a playoff season, it demonstrated incremental progress and program stability.

Program Growth: The 6–5 record was the best since 2011, signaling a positive trend and increased competitiveness in the OVC.
Player Development: Several underclassmen gained starting experience, including future All-OVC performers who emerged in later seasons.
Recruiting Momentum: Competitive games against FBS teams helped attract attention from prospective student-athletes.
Conference Relevance: Finishing above .500 overall kept UT Martin in the conversation for potential postseason consideration in coming years.
Community Engagement: Strong local support at Graham Stadium boosted morale and strengthened town-gown relationships.
Foundation for 2015: The experience gained in 2014 contributed to a more successful 2015 season, where the team nearly earned a playoff berth.

Overall, the 2014 UT Martin Skyhawks season was a step forward in building a consistent winner in the FCS landscape, emphasizing development, resilience, and long-term vision.