Plenty of awards go to Skyhawks

Posted: Wednesday, October 12, 2011 12:02 pm

Set a school record, score a bunch of points, get a lot of awards.
UTM has now done all three.
The Skyhawks’ 61-23 win over Austin Peay Saturday afternoon at Hardy M. Graham Stadium has brought accolades from all around.
UT Martin quarterback Derek Carr and Skyhawk linebacker Ben Johnson have been named adidas Ohio Valley Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week.
Carr was also named the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week by College Sports Madness as well as the national quarterback of the week and the national performer of the week by College Football Performance Awards.
The CFPA list also included two other Skyhawks as Kenny Jones was selected the national tight end of the week, while CJ Estelle was selected the national punt returner of the week.
Carr, a 6-1, 196-pounder from McKenzie, completed 24-of-36 passes for 387 yards and a school record six touchdowns. Carr eclipsed the old record of five set by Leonard Williams in 1990 and Charles Gamble in 1994; the mark was one touchdown away from the OVC single-game record. Carr threw touchdown passes of 51, 13, 16, 15, 10 and 9 yards.
Three of his touchdowns came in the second quarter as the Skyhawks opened up a 34-14 halftime lead. Carr currently ranks 16th nationally in total offense (274.6 yards/game) while UTM ranks first nationally in total offense (511.6 yards/game) and scoring offense (45.2 points/game).
Johnson, a 6-2, 215-pounder from Primm Springs, had nine tackles (four solo), 1.5 tackles-for-loss, a sack, an interception and two quarterback hurries in UT Martin’s victory over Austin Peay.
Johnson had an interception in the second quarter that he returned 13 yards and set up a Skyhawk touchdown four plays later to put UTM up 27-14. The sophomore walk-on was part of a defense that limited Austin Peay to just 124 yards rushing.
Johnson currently ranks 25th nationally in sacks (0.88/game).
Jones, a 6-3, 235-pound senior from Knoxville, had seven receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns. He caught a 51-yard pass from Carr with 3:22 remaining in the second quarter to give UTM a 20-14 lead.
Estelle (5-9, 166) had two punt returns for 92 yards, including a 76-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Madness identifies the highest impact player nationally and one from each FCS conference in its weekly feature. The entire list can be found at www.collegesportsmadness.com/fcs-football/weekly-awards.
Published in The WCP 10.11.11