CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Austin Peay football season is just two weeks away, folks. The Govs are preparing to kick off the 2026 season on Aug. 27 against Gardner-Webb. This is a big season for the Govs as they look to return to the FCS Playoffs for the first time since 2023.
This season’s schedule features notable non-conference opponent such as Gardner-Webb, Vanderbilt, and UT Martin. We’ve already heard about several future non-conference games for the Govs as well, including one in 2031 that will be must-watch TV.
It was recently revealed that the Govs will head back to Rocky Top to take on the Tennessee Volunteers on August 31, 2031. It will be the first meeting between the two in-state teams since the Govs traveled to Knoxville in 2023. That game was an instant classic and was much more competitive than people expected it to be. The Govs ended up losing 30-13 but only trailed 13-6 at halftime.
The 2031 meeting will be just the third all-time meeting between the schools. The first meeting was in 2013, in a game the Vols won 45-0.
“Scheduling games like this reflects the continued growth and ambition of our football program,” APSU Athletic Director Jordan Harmon said in a news release. “Competing against an in-state SEC opponent creates a special opportunity to showcase Austin Peay while giving our team the chance to measure itself against one of college football’s premier programs.
“This will be an unforgettable experience for our student-athletes, coaches and fan base, and I’m grateful to Tennessee for working with us to make this matchup happen.”
Other future non-conference games for Austin Peay
Tennessee isn’t the only big-time program set to welcome the Govs to town in the near future. Austin Peay is set to take on the Auburn Tigers in 2027 and the Marshall Thundering Herd in 2030. That 2030 game with Marshall is worth noting because former Austin Peay athletic director Gerald Harrison currently works as the AD for the Thundering Herd.
In addition to those three non-conference matchups, the Govs will also begin playing Murray State once again on an annual basis. The long-time bitter rivals have not faced off in football since 2022, and the Govs have won six in a row in the series. Davidson was recently added to the Govs’ slate for 2027, while Butler was added for 2028.
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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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