CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Austin Peay football team took care of business on homecoming Saturday. The Govs picked up their fifth win overall and their fourth win in a row, taking down the New Haven Chargers by a score of 42-17.
It was a noteworthy game for the Govs because it was their first-ever home regular-season game as a top 10 FCS team. Earlier this week, the Govs earned the No. 9 ranking in the AFCA Coaches Poll, and they proved worthy of that ranking with Saturday’s dominant win.
Now, all eyes shift to next weekend as the Govs are set to host Tarleton State in what will likely be a top 10 matchup. But first, let’s dive in and take a look at how Austin Peay’s dominant victory played out.
Elite passing attack, historic special teams performance
It didn’t take long for the scoring to get started in this one. Austin Peay took the ball first, and Chris Parson led the team down the field and found Denver Harper in the end zone for a 10-yard score.
New Haven responded with a scoring drive of their own, quickly making it a 7-7 game. Parson led the team on another Austin Peay scoring drive, though, finding Marvin Sims for a 65-yard score to put the Govs back on top. The Chargers responded with a field goal, giving the Govs a 14-10 lead heading into the second quarter.
The Govs got the scoring started in the second, as Parson found Jaden Robinson for a big 66-yard touchdown. Then, with under four minutes to play in the half, Harper returned a punt and took it 82 yards to the house for his second score of the game. If you thought Harper was done, it wouldn’t even take three more minutes for the star to make another huge play.
Field goal return for a touchdown by Harper
With just over one minute to play in the half, New Haven attempted a field goal from around midfield. Harper lined up in the end zone and caught the short field goal attempt and took it all the way back for a 100-yard score. That was Harper’s third score of the game and his second special teams score of the game.
The Govs went into the half with a 35-10 lead, and neither team scored in the third quarter. Parson threw a touchdown pass to Ben Marshall in the fourth, and New Haven added a score of their own. The Govs ended up winning 42-17.
Standout players
There are a couple of obvious standouts for the Govs here. Denver Harper just had one of the most explosive games we’ve ever seen from an Austin Peay player. With a punt return score and a field goal return for a touchdown, Harper is the first Gov to record multiple special teams scores in a game. He also finished with three catches for 46 yards and one touchdown.
Chris Parson also has to be shouted out. The star quarterback has been extremely efficient over the last few weeks, and on Saturday Parson completed 19 of 23 passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns. Parson’s 83% completion percentage is the third-highest in a game in Austin Peay history.
Finally, Marvin Sims came through in a big way once again. Sims scored his first touchdown of the season last week, and he added another this weekend. Sims caught six passes for 141 yards and one touchdown.