CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The long football offseason is almost over, folks. The Austin Peay Governors will kick off their first game of the 2026 season in just over a month, on Aug. 27, at home against Gardner-Webb. As the team is putting the finishing touches on preparations, some of the team representatives recently headed down to Texas for the UAC Media Days.
Media Days is always a fun time of the year. It’s your sign that the season is right around the corner, and it gives us an idea of what to expect from the upcoming season. The coaches in the conference vote for their All-UAC selections and also take part in the preseason coaches poll.
Expectations are high for the Govs in 2026. Other coaches clearly feel the same, considering the Govs were picked to finish third in the conference. Abilene Christian and Tarleton State both finished with the same number of votes and tied for first place. Abilene and Tarleton received three first-place votes apiece while the Govs received two. No other team received a first-place vote.
Take a look at the full UAC preseason coaches poll here:
| T1. Abilene Christian (3) | 65 |
| T1. Tarleton State (3) | 65 |
| 3. Austin Peay (2) | 62 |
| 4. EKU | 48 |
| 5. Central Arkansas | 43 |
| 6. West Georgia | 39 |
| 7. North Alabama | 37 |
| 8. West Florida | 33 |
It’s no surprise to see Abilene and Tarleton at the top. Both teams went 7-1 in conference play last season, and both made the FCS Playoffs. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, West Florida is predicted to struggle during their first season in Division I.
Chris Parson ready for championship
Star quarterback Chris Parson returning to Clarksville is undoubtedly a huge reason the Govs are ranked so highly. Parson had one of the greatest quarterback seasons in school history in 2025, and as a result, he was a unanimous All-UAC Preseason Team selection ahead of the 2026 season.
“It was an easy decision for me (to return),” said Parson. “I never say I came back; I say I never left.”
Parson undoubtedly would have had plenty of options in the transfer portal, but his relationships with this team and staff, as well as the goal of winning a championship, convinced him to stay.
“I truly believe this is the right place for me and I’m extremely grateful,” the quarterback said.
APSU 2026 schedule
Here’s the full Austin Peay 2026 football schedule (conference opponents in bold):
- Aug. 27: vs. Gardner-Webb
- Sep. 5: at Vanderbilt
- Sep. 12: vs. Morehead State
- Sep. 19: at West Florida
- Sep. 26: vs. UT Martin
- Oct. 3: vs. New Haven
- Oct. 10: vs. Tarleton State
- Oct. 17: at West Georgia
- Oct. 24: at North Alabama
- Nov. 7: vs. Eastern Kentucky
- Nov. 14: vs. Abilene Christian
- Nov. 21: at Central Arkansas
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