Tennessee-Martin Shows Why It’s Fun To Keep Score At Home

In one of the most lopsided college football games in years, Tennessee-Martin cruised to a 97-7 victory over Bethel (Tenn.) College, an NAIA Division II school that reinstated its football program three years ago.

Division I-AA Tennessee-Martin scored on all but two possessions in outgaining Bethel 693 yards to 83 and setting an Ohio Valley Conference record for points in a game. The previous record of 73 was set by Austin Peay last season against Morehead State.

The record for points by a Division I-AA school is 105, set by Portland State against Delaware State in 1980.

Lenny Harris caught a 68-yard pass from Todd Mather on the second play of the game to set the tone for the romp in the season opener for both teams.

Tennessee-Martin led 49-0 with 6:16 left in the first half before the Wildcats scored their lone TD on a 94-yard kickoff return by Terrance Harris.

Six players scored two TDs each for Tennessee-Martin: running backs Nikki Jackson, Jason Johnson, Brett Hammerick, Stacy Lester and Demon Fason and wide receiver Cal Daniels.

Tennessee-Martin had 30 first downs to Bethel’s six. The Skyhawks outrushed the Wildcats 416-19 and outpassed them 277-64.