CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Austin Peay hosted North Carolina Central Thursday at Fortera Stadium, marking the first-ever meeting between the two schools in program history. This wouldn’t be the only history that those in attendance at “The Fort” would witness, as the Governors defeated the Eagles 41-10 to gift Mark Hudspeth his first win as their head coach.

“I was really proud,” Hudspeth said. “You can tell we had some first-game jitters early on, but we really refocused and midway through the first quarter, caught on fire and played really well the rest of the first half.”

7,512 fans including over 1,500 students showed up Thursday to help usher in a new era of Gov football. It was the first time since 2007 that Austin Peay scored 40 or more points in its season opener.

“I think we broke the record for most students at an opening game in school history,” Hudspeth said. “They really showed up for us.”

Governor wide receiver DeAngelo Wilson had a first half to remember against the Eagles, logging six catches for 106 yards and three touchdowns.

“It feels great for our team because of all the hard work we’ve put in,” Wilson said. “To come out and get a big w in front of the home crowd in the first game feels amazing.”

The Governors moved the ball at will on their opening drive, before NC Central’s Shamar Baker intercepted Austin Peay quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall in the red zone.

After the initial miscue, Hudspeth liked the way his offense regrouped and bounced back in a big way.

“It was good to see,” Hudspeth said. “We had two scores that we basically took off the board between the turnover and penalty. That was disappointing, but we’ll learn from that.”

NC Central got on the board first with a 24-yard field goal with seven minutes remaining in the opening quarter. Eagles quarterback Micah Zanders hooked up with wide receiver Nique Martin for 43 yards to set up the first score of the game.

Oatsvall later put the Govs on top 7-3, dropping the ball in to a wide-open Wilson for a 25-yard touchdown.

Logan Birchfield started off the second quarter by connecting from 27 yards out to make it 10-3 Austin Peay.

With eight minutes remaining in the first half, Governor running back Kentel Williams carried the rock for 39 yards all the way down to the Eagle 35-yard line.

Williams ripped off multiple long gains on the ground throughout, averaging nearly 12 yards per carry in the contest.

Wilson got behind the Eagle defense yet again in the second quarter. This time the Governors reached into their bag of tricks, as Baniko Harley threw it right on the money to Wilson for a 40-yard touchdown.

With four minutes left to play in the second quarter, Wilson recorded his third touchdown of the first half, catching the Oatsvall pass and strolling into the endzone.

Oatsvall and Wilson appeared to be in sync from the game’s first whistle, as the chemistry between the two on the field continues to flourish.

“In practice we’re just constantly working on everything,” Wilson shared. “He (Oatsvall) knows where I’m going to be and I know where he’s going to put the ball.”

Austin Peay padded their lead before the half, as Oatsvall hit Keenan Barnes for six points to make it 31-3.

Logan Birchfield nailed his second field goal of the game from 49 yards out to extend the Austin Peay lead to 34-3 with 12 minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Ahmaad Tanner gave the Govs their final score of the night in the fourth quarter, punching it in from three yards out to make it 41-3.

With less than five minutes remaining in the game, the Eagles finally found pay dirt for the first time on a Chauncey Caldwell passing touchdown.

The Governors made it difficult on the Eagle offense throughout, holding NC Central to under 200 total yards in the contest.

“I thought they flew around and tackled well,” Hudspeth said of his defense. “They had some big receivers and for the most part, I thought we kept them in check. As a team I’m hoping that from week one to week two we can make a lot of progress.”

Austin Peay (1-0) gets Central Arkansas (1-0) next at home Saturday, Sept. 7.

Hudspeth gave his thoughts on his team’s upcoming matchup with the Bears.

“This is a team that’s been a perennial playoff team with a lot of tradition,” Hudspeth said. “They’re going to be well coached, come in with some really good players and it’ll be a big challenge for us. We’ll have to play at the level we played tonight in the second quarter for four quarters and if we do that, then we’ll have an opportunity.”

Austin Peay 41, North Carolina Central 10

Austin Peay (1-0)   7   24     3    7      41

NC Central  (0-1)    3     0     0    7      10

Passing Leaders

Governors: Jeremiah Oatsvall (24-39 for 232 yards, 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions)

Eagles: Chauncey Caldwell (8-23 for 78 yards, 1 touchdown)

Rushing Leaders

Governors: Kentel Williams (12 carries for 139 yards)

Governors: Ahmaad Tanner (12 carries for 67 yards, 1 touchdown)

Eagles: Chauncey Caldwell (7 carries for 31 yards)

Receiving Leaders

Governors: DeAngelo Wilson (6 catches for 106 yards, 3 touchdowns)

Governors: Baniko Harley (4 catches for 68 yards)

Eagles: Nique Martin (3 catches for 80 yards, 1 touchdown)