Austin Peay State University’s football team returns home for the first time since early September when it hosts Tennessee State, 6 p.m., Saturday, at Fortera Stadium.
It will be Family Weekend for current students and parents, and game sponsor, Tennova Healthcare, will provide free pink water bottles to the first 5,000 fans in attendance in honor of breast cancer awareness.
The game is the Ohio Valley Conference Game of the Week, which will be broadcast on ESPN3. It is the second straight week Austin Peay will be featured on the Game of the Week.
The Governors (2-3, 0-2 OVC) will resume their quest to repeat as Sgt. York Trophy champions against the Tigers (2-1, 1-0 OVC). It will be the second matchup to decide the award this season, with UT Martin taking the first result against the Govs two weeks ago.
Recent bouts in the series suggest a highly-competitive contest, as three of the past four matchups have been decided by four points or fewer. Last season, the Govs took a 21-17 lead with 1:26 remaining in the game, and defensive end Jaison Williams sealed the result with a sack on the game’s final play.
TSU enters the game ranked second in the OVC in total offense (480.7), scoring offense (34.0) and passing offense (314.0). The Govs counter with the second-ranked pass defense in the conference, allowing just 186.9 yards per game passing.
“I think it’s a great matchup, obviously with the proximity,” head coach Will Healy said. “We know they’re a really good football team; that’s why we’re excited about the game. I think their talent level is exceptional. It’s a game for us the last two years that’s been very close. We were very fortunate to win a year ago.”
Courtesy of APSU Athletics