Franklin runs for 221 yards, 2 TDS, UT Martin pulls away from North Alabama 37-21

Updated Sep. 23, 2023 11:31 p.m. ET

Associated Press

FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) — Sam Franklin ran for a career-high 221 yards and two long touchdowns in the fourth quarter and UT Martin dominated the second half for a 37-21 win over North Alabama on Saturday night.

Trailing 21-10 at the half, the Skyhawks used a long drive and a muffed punt to take the lead. Franklin then scored on runs of 74 and 43 yards to ice the win. Franklin, a sophomore, now has five career TDs of at least 65 yards and 10 of at least 20 yards.

North Alabama had a missed field goal, two punts, two failed two-point conversions and an interception end its second half possessions.

Marlon Cook scored on a four-yard run to cap an 80-yard drive then Kinkead Dent found Zoe Roberts for a 17-yard touchdown after Wyatt Gilbert recovered a muffed punt at the 19 to give UT Martin a 23-21 lead.

Dent was 13 of 30 for 172 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Skyhawks (3-1), who had 308 yards on the ground.

Noah Walters was 30 of 52 for 286 yards and three touchdowns with an interception for the Lions (2-3), who honored their 1993 DII national championship team before and after the game. Walters had a short touchdown pass to Takairee Kenebrew and a 41-yard connection with Dakota Warfield in the first quarter. He found Kobe Warden for 11 yards in the second quarter. Warden had 11 catches for 106 yards. ___

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