MARTIN, Tenn. — Chicago State (0-2) lost to UT Martin (1-1) 42-7 on Saturday at Hardy M. Graham Stadium. The Cougars scored their only points in the first quarter, while UT Martin added 21 points in both the second and fourth quarters. CSU finished with 153 passing yards and 38 rushing yards, and its defense recorded an interception and a fumble recovery.
The Cougars went 5-for-5 passing for 53 yards in the first quarter, with
Ashton Pannell's 6-yard touchdown pass and
Donovan Blair's PAT accounting for a 7-0 lead. CSU converted 2 of 3 third downs and its only fourth down, while holding UT Martin to no passing yards and recording four tackles for loss totaling 18 yards.
UT Martin controlled the second quarter on the ground, rushing for 79 yards and three touchdowns while adding 88 passing yards, with Chris Franklin scoring twice and Tommy Ansley adding a 20-yard touchdown run. The Cougars were limited to 2 rushing yards and 32 passing yards in the quarter, converting 1 of 5 third downs as UT Martin took a 21-7 lead into halftime.
CSU controlled the ball for 10:47 of the scoreless third quarter but managed 35 yards, went 1-for-6 on third down and punted four times. UT Martin produced 76 yards in the quarter, while
Tehron Spencer Jr. forced a Julian Calvez fumble that
Jah'Quii Roberts recovered to help keep the quarter scoreless with UT Martin ahead 21-7.
UT Martin outscored the Cougars 21-0 in the fourth quarter, running for 81 yards and three touchdowns while adding 120 passing yards to close out a 42-7 final. CSU's defense produced a red-zone stop when
Jayden Earley intercepted a pass at the goal line for a touchback, but the offense went 0-for-3 on third down and finished the quarter with 22 rushing yards and 38 passing yards.
Pannell completed 20 of 33 passes for 153 yards and a touchdown without an interception.
Kymari Gray caught four passes for a team-high 61 yards.
Adrian Bowers led CSU with 10 tackles. Earley recorded an interception and added two tackles.
Up next, CSU hosts Kentucky Christian University on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at midnight at SeatGeek Stadium in Chicago, Illinois.
