CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – FCS football is set to pick back up action within the next upcoming days, and Austin Peay State University is officially one of the hottest teams in the country.
The Governors are coming off a top 25 comeback victory against Eastern Kentucky, which extended their winning streak to four games. After their win, they jumped seven spots in the coaches’ poll to be ranked No. 16 in the nation.
Austin Peay won the game 31-20, after scoring 28 consecutive points in the second half of action. A couple of factors played into the team’s win.
APSU quarterback Mike DiLiello helped mount the comeback after he scored three straight rushing touchdowns to take a 24-20 lead. With five minutes left in the game, DiLiello found Drae McCray for a 24-yard touchdown pass that secured the Austin Peay victory.
Meanwhile, the Governors’ defense showed out in the second half. The defensive unit pitched a shutout in the final two quarters against one of the hottest offenses in the country. According to Austin Peay athletics, the table below shows some staggering statistics from the game.
| APSU | EKU | |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yds | 322 | 116 |
| Passing Yds | 172 | 213 |
| Total Yds | 494 | 329 |
| 1st Downs | 24 | 16 |
| Total Plays | 86 | 60 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| 3rd Down Con. | 3/14 | 11/20 |
The main takeaways are the difference in rushing yards, total yards, plays run and 3rd down conversion rate. Austin Peay football is trending in the right direction ahead of their matchup against another A-Sun opponent in Central Arkansas.
Austin Peay vs. Central Arkansas
Austin Peay football (4-1) will travel to Conway to face Central Arkansas University (1-3) on Saturday. The Governors could have their way with a Bears defense that is statistically ranked in the bottom tier in the A-Sun.
According to the conference, Central Arkansas gives up an average of 34.3 points per game, while allowing 432.8 yards per game. In comparison, Austin Peay’s nationally ranked defense allows an average of 12.2 points per game, and 267 total yards per game.
Ball security will be one of the biggest factors. Both teams are tied for first in the A-Sun with 8 forced turnovers a piece.
Central Arkansas has forced four fumbles and intercepted opposing quarterbacks four times. Meanwhile, Austin Peay has forced 2 fumbles and intercepted the ball 6 times.
Offensive side
Looking at the offensive side of the football, Austin Peay football has been one of the most productive offenses in the country.
They’ve showcased their ability to move the ball through the air or on the ground, which has taken its toll on past opponents.
According to the NCAA, the Governors are averaging 38 points per game and 449.8 yards per game. Austin Peay ranks Top 15 in the nation in both of these statistical categories. Here’s some other numbers to show how APSU’s offense ranks against conference foes.
| Total | A-Sun Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Points/game | 38 | 2nd |
| Yards/game | 449.8 | 1st |
| Passing yards/game | 223.6 | 3rd |
| Rushing yards/game | 226.2 | 2nd |
| Red zone efficiency | 85% | 3rd |
| Total 1st Downs | 123 | 1st |
As for Austin Peay’s upcoming opponent, Central Arkansas is ranked in the bottom half of the conference in total points per game and yardage per game.
The Bears have a balanced offensive approach up to this point in the season. Central Arkansas has run the ball on 53% of their plays.
The Bears are also ranked dead last in rushing with 111.3 yards per game. They’re only averaging 3.2 yard per carry on the season. Central Arkansas does thrive moving the ball throw the air, however. They are ranked second in the A-Sun in passing yards per game behind starting quarterback Will McElvain.
The A-Sun matchup between Austin Peay and Central Arkansas is set for 4 p.m. kickoff. The game will be televised on ESPN+, and can be heard over the radio on the Governors Sports Network.