CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Austin Peay State University football team is currently preparing for the 2026 season. The program has high expectations this year after winning seven games and falling just shy of a playoff berth in 2025.
A key reason for these high expectations is that star quarterback Chris Parson is returning. Parson had one of the best quarterback seasons in Austin Peay history in 2025, throwing for 3,003 yards and 23 touchdowns, while also adding 14 rushing touchdowns. Other key playmakers like Jaden Robinson and Jackson Head also returned, while transfer portal additions like Braylon Harmon, David Portu, and Justin Wimpye should play large roles as well.
We know what the Govs’ schedule looks like, and it’s an interesting slate. The team notably has non-conference games against in-state opponents UT Martin and Vanderbilt, while playing the usual UAC opponents as well. Now that we’re less than two months away from the start of the season, let’s look through the schedule and identify the three most anticipated matchups on the schedule.
Sept. 26: vs. UT Martin
One of the most interesting games is the Sept. 26 home matchup with UT Martin. This will be the first matchup for the once conference rivals since 2021. Austin Peay and UT Martin were once both members of the Ohio Valley Conference, and played each other every year from 2009 to 2021.
Unfortunately, the Skyhawks have dominated the all-time series with the Govs. The Skyhawks have won 11 of the 13 games in the series. The Govs defeated the Skyhawks in 2019 and 2017, both at home. It will be interesting to see how the teams compare now after a five-year hiatus in playing each other. The Skyhawks are coming off a 6-6 season, however, they have been picked by some to win the OVC-Big South Conference in 2026.
This game will tell us a lot about the Govs. It’s not a conference game, but beating an old rival who figures to compete for a playoff spot would be a massive resume booster.
Oct. 10: vs. Tarleton State
This is definitely a matchup that FCS football fans will have circled. Tarleton State only lost one game in the 2025 regular season and ended up defeating North Dakota in the FCS playoffs. The Texans ended with a 12-2 record and figure to be a major contender again in 2026.
Of course, Austin Peay fans will remember the devastating loss to the Texas last season that essentially ended the Govs’ season. The Govs needed to defeat the Texans in the final game of the season to keep their playoff hopes alive, but a failed two-point conversion in overtime doomed them.
The Govs and Texans have battled just twice, with the Texans winning both contests. Both contests have been decided by 10 points or fewer, though, so we can expect a tough battle here. This is also a game that will almost definitely have postseason implications.
Nov. 14: vs. Abilene Christian
Like Tarleton State, Abilene Christian is a very tough conference opponent who figures to be near the top of the UAC once again in 2026. Also, like Tarleton State, the Wildcats are 2-0 all-time against the Govs. Last year, the Wildcats took the Govs down by a score of 45-31, and in 2024, the Wildcats won 35-34.
This is another game that will assuredly have postseason implications. The Govs and Wildcats, along with the Texans, expect to battle for the conference title. Abilene Christian was the only team to defeat Tarleton in the 2025 regular season, and they managed to add a ton of talent in the portal this offseason, including former Nebraska quarterback Marcos Davila.
The good news for the Govs is that they get the Wildcats in Clarksville. The last time ACU came to Clarksville, they only won by one point, and the Govs have gotten much better since then.
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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