UT Martin tops Eastern Illinois, 34-31 to share OVC title

MARTIN, Tenn. (AP) — Dresser Winn fired a 52-yard landing move to Colton Dowell, then nosed in from the two on the conversion to push UT Martin to a 34-31 win over Japanese Illinois on Saturday, incomes the Skyhawks a share of the Ohio Valley Convention title.

UT Martin (7-4, 5-0) share the convention regular-season championship with Southeast Missouri State, however the Redhawks claimed the convention’s automated berth within the FCS playoffs by successful a coin flip Saturday evening. UT Martin will want an at-large berth when the FCS discipline is introduced Sunday to increase its season.

The addition of Lindenwood to the OVC meant groups performed one fewer convention recreation. SEMO and UT Martin didn’t play one another, establishing the coin flip.

Winn was 17-of-28 passing for 227 yards and a landing for UT Martin. Dowell had 4 catches for 118 yards.

Dom Shoffner was 14-of-36 passing for 315 yards and three touchdowns however was picked off twice for Japanese Illinois (2-9, 1-5). Justin Bowick had six catches for 177 yards and two touchdowns.

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