UT Martin burns Tennessee Tech with 2 late TDs, 44-23

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:23 p.m. ET

foxsports

MARTIN, Tenn. (AP) Two touchdowns - one on special teams and the other on defense - in the closing minute by Tae Martin and Julian Thompson-Clay helped UT Martin complete a 44-23 comeback victory over Tennessee Tech in its Ohio Valley Conference opener on Saturday.

Martin fielded an onside kick and ran it back 43 yards to put the game out of reach with 1:02 on the clock. Thompson-Clay picked off Michael Birdsong and returned it 86 yards as time expired.

The Skyhawks (2-2, 1-0) fell behind when an interception on their first possession led to a Tennessee Tech touchdown and a 6-0 lead when the extra point was blocked.

UT Martin rallied ahead 28-9 through three quarters, but Tech (1-3, 1-1) surged to within 31-23 on two fourth-quarter field goals and a TD and then went for the onside kick.

The teams were nearly even statistically, Tennessee Tech's 378 yards total offense to 366.