CARROLLTON, GA (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Austin Peay Governors went down to Georgia to take on the West Georgia Wolves on Saturday. It was a big spot for the Govs, who were looking to bounce back after suffering their first FCS loss of the season last weekend.
The Govs entered the contest with a 5-2 overall record and a 1-1 mark in conference play. The Wolves, meanwhile, entered the contest with a 1-5 overall record and a 0-1 mark in conference play.
It was another slow start for Austin Peay, but they picked it up and walked away with a convincing win. The Govs won 24-10, improving to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play. It was a crucial win for the Govs after last weekend’s loss, especially as the team prepares for another tough road game next weekend.
Dominant defense, ground game for APSU
The Govs got the ball first to start the game, but they were unable to find their footing and quickly punted. The Wolves responded with a long drive that resulted in three points.
The offensive struggles for the Govs continued for the entire first quarter. The Wolves’ defense did a nice job of making sure Austin Peay weapons couldn’t get open down the field, and the run game didn’t have many open lanes. West Georgia added a touchdown to make it a 10-0 lead after one.
It remained a 10-0 game deep into the second quarter, until Chris Parson found the end zone on a scramble, cutting the deficit to three. There would be no more scoring in the half, as the Govs entered the break still in a 10-7 hole.
Neither offense got much going in the third quarter, until Austin Peay’s Caleb Merritt strip-sacked West Georgia quarterback Colton FitzGerald and recovered the fumble. That turnover led to a touchdown for the Govs, as Parson rushed for another score, making it a 14-10 game.
The Govs’ defense completely locked the Wolves down from that point on. In the fourth, Austin Peay added a field goal and a touchdown from Courtland Simmons to make it a 24-10 game. That was plenty of points to ensure the Govs walked away with another victory.
Standout players
If you’ve kept up with the Govs this year, you know Chris Parson and Denver Harper have frequently been standouts. This win over West Georgia shows how deep this team is though, as they can win games in multiple different ways.
The offensive star of this game has to be running back Courtland Simmons. Simmons led the team in rushing and receiving, ending with 124 total yards and one touchdown. Simmons has routinely been a reliable rusher, and he’s more involved than ever in the pass game.
Elsewhere, the entire defense deserves a shout out. West Georgia was held to just eight net rushing yards, and the unit forced three turnovers on the day. Trevor Hardy picked up the first interception of his career, and the defense had six sacks, which is the most Austin Peay has had in a game since 2021.