Tennessee football vs. UT Martin: Score prediction, scouting report
Tennessee football is chasing a perfect nonconference record.
The No. 4 Vols (6-0) face UT Martin (4-2) on Saturday (noon ET, SEC Network) at Neyland Stadium, their fourth and final nonconference game.
Here is a score prediction and what to know about the matchup:
Jalin Hyatt on a record-setting pace
Jalin Hyatt set the Tennessee record for receiving touchdowns in a game with five against Alabama. Hyatt was on pace for 13 touchdowns through five games, which would tie the UT season record if UT played 13 games this season.
He is on pace for 22 touchdowns after six games, buoyed by his five-touchdown game. Marcus Nash set the single-season touchdown record with 13 in 1997. Cedric Tillman finished with 12 last season to tie him with Cedrick Wilson for second in UT history. Hyatt also is on pace to be the 10th Vol in program history with a 1,000-yard receiving season.
Alabama's DeVonta Smith holds the SEC record for touchdowns in a season with 23.
No Vol in program history had more than three receiving touchdowns in a game before Hyatt shattered the record. Hyatt has 33 receptions for 595 yards. He had 41 receptions for 502 yards and four touchdowns over his first two seasons.
Tennessee in nonconference games under Josh Heupel
Tennessee won its first three nonconference games this season, beating Ball State 59-10, Pittsburgh 34-27 in overtime, and Akron 63-6.
UT can complete its nonconference slate unbeaten with a win Saturday against the Skyhawks. The Vols went 3-1 in nonconference games in Josh Heupel's first season. UT routed Bowling Green, Tennessee Tech, and South Alabama. The Vols lost 41-34 to Pittsburgh on Sept. 11, 2021.
How UT Martin has fared this season
UT Martin won 10 games a season ago and claimed the Ohio Valley Conference title. The Skyhawks have rolled that success into the 2022 season, leading the OVC with a 3-0 mark.
They have blown out three straight OVC opponents with an average margin of victory of more than 25 points per game.
[ Roll Vols! How to buy News Sentinel's front page from Tennessee-Alabama game ]
Princeton Fant getting involved in new ways
Vols tight end Princeton Fant had three catches for 24 yards against Alabama, but his two biggest plays weren't among those catches. Fant lined up at fullback and ran for a 2-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
"We had been practicing it all week," said Fant, who has worked as an emergency running back this season, at times.
The senior caught a two-point conversion early in the fourth quarter to give UT a 42-35 lead.
UT Martin has had success on the ground
The Skyhawks have been effective running the ball through six games. They have 18 rushing touchdowns and 192 rushing yards per game, both tops in the OVC.
Sophomore running back Zak Wallace leads UT Martin with 10 rushing touchdowns. He has rushed for 567 yards on 98 attempts. Wallace was a freshman All-American in 2021 and a first-team All-OCV pick.
Score prediction
Tennessee, 66, UT Martin 13: Tennessee rolls again, moving into the back stretch of SEC play unbeaten.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football vs UT Martin: Score prediction, scouting report
