Austin Peay State University’s football team will take the field for the final game of the 2018 regular season when it hosts Murray State in the Heritage Bank Battle of the Border 4 p.m., Saturday, at Fortera Stadium.
Saturday will be filled with festivities before, during and after the game, as the contest will serve as Military Appreciation Day and Senior Day.
The Governors (4-6, 2-5 OVC) will look to end the season on a high note by defeating Murray State for the second-consecutive season. Last year, the Govs defeated the Racers, 27-7, for the first Ohio Valley Conference victory in head coach Will Healy‘s tenure.
If the Govs were to emerge victorious, it would be the second-straight season they would post a 4-1 record at home. It would also be the first time to notch consecutive victories against Murray State since 1977-78.
The Govs boast the top rushing attack in the OVC, averaging 235.9 yards per game, led by Kentel Williams’ 713 yards and six touchdowns. Quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall and running backs Tre Nation, Ahmaad Tanner and Prince Momodu feature heavily in the ground game, and have combined for 1,346 yards and 14 touchdowns.
The Racers (5-5, 5-2 OVC) allow 189.5 yards per game on the ground. They are led by the OVC’s second-leading tackler, Quincy Williams, who has recorded 100 stops so far this season. The Govs’ offensive line – which has allowed just nine sacks this season – will have to contend with pass rusher Kenny Wooten, who has 10.0 of the Racers’ 20.0 sacks on the year.
Defensively, the Govs limited the eighth-ranked passing attack in the FCS of Eastern Illinois to just 188 yards last weekend, 134 under its season average. Keawvis Cummings made a number of plays in coverage, leading the Govs with three passes broken up.
Jaison Williams led the charge from the defensive line, racking up 3.0 tackles for loss, including 2.0 sacks. He moved into the Top 5 at APSU in sacks and tackles for loss after his performance.
With coverage and pass rush, the Govs’ defense will look to stymie the passing attack of reigning OVC Co-Offensive Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week Drew Anderson. Anderson is completing 61 percent of his passes for 2,617 yards and 18 touchdowns to 12 interceptions.
“I think the improvement that Murray has made this year has been incredible,” Healy said. “I think (head coach) Mitch (Stewart) does a great job, and it will be a really tough test. Their quarterback is playing really well, they have some weapons at wideout, they have some backs that make you nervous.”
Courtesy of APSU Athletics