NASHVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Austin Peay football team traveled down the road to Nashville to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday, as the team was coming off a 35-17 victory over Gardner-Webb.
The Govs were understandably sizeable underdogs heading into this one as Vanderbilt won 10 games last season and has a roster loaded with four-and-five-star players. However, this Austin Peay team is strong in their own right, and they were able to give Vanderbilt a tough battle through Saturday’s contest.
The Commodores ended up winning 28-9, after the game was called off due to a lightning delay. The final score doesn’t do this game justice though. Let’s dive into the recap.
Positives for Austin Peay despite the loss
This game started as the Govs’ defense bent but didn’t break and held the Commodores to a field goal on their first drive. Then, the Govs got the ball for the first time and marched right down the field. The drive was capped off by quarterback Chris Parson finding Denver Harper for a 24-yard score.
That score put the Govs up 6-3, but the extra point was blocked and run back for two points by the Commodores. The score stayed 6-5 through the first quarter, as the Govs’ defense did a great job of limiting big plays.
Vanderbilt added a field goal and a touchdown in the second quarter. Austin Peay kicker Hamilton DiBoyan connected on a 51-yard field goal before the half to make it a 15-9 game heading into the break. It was an impressive first half for the Govs, especially defensively, and they were able to enter the second half with the game still well within reach.
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Unfortunately, the Govs were unable to do much of anything on offense in the second half. Vanderbilt put constant pressure on Parson, and the Govs’ offensive line struggled to keep up. The defense for Austin Peay, for the most part, stood strong. Vanderbilt added one touchdown in the third and one in the fourth, to give us the final score of 28-9.
It’s not surprising that the Govs’ offense had trouble against Vanderbilt. The Commodores under Clark Lea had a talented defensive unit in 2025, and it looks like they will again in 2026. The Govs’ defense performance is definitely something to be proud of, though. Vanderbilt was held to just 209 passing yards.
Standout players
For the Govs, a few players are worth shouting out. Wide receiver Marvin Sims caught six passes for 55 yards, and now has nine catches for 133 yards through his first two games with the program. Fellow wide receiver Denver Harper scored the team’s only touchdown, and he now has two touchdowns in two weeks.
On defense, defensive back Ta’Ron Haile led the Govs with 10 total tackles. Defensive lineman Malik Denkins also came up big, adding five tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Finally, kicker Hamilton DiBoyan deserves a mention. The kicker connected on a 51-yard field goal, which set a new career-long for the redshirt junior.
What’s next for Govs
Luckily for the Govs, four of the team’s next five games are at home at Fortera Stadium, where the Govs have currently won seven in a row.
Austin Peay, now standing with a 1-1 record, will next play Morehead State at home on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 4 p.m.