CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Austin Peay football team has already played eight games in the 2026 season. The team has a 6-2 overall record and is 2-1 in conference play, so they’re in a favorable spot heading into the final stretch.
There have been several impressive individual performances this season that have led the Govs to this point. One of those standouts is redshirt freshman wide receiver Denver Harper. Harper has found ways to impact the game as a wide receiver and as a return man, making him one of the most electric playmakers in college football.
The star athlete was recently named to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List, which is given annually to the most impressive freshman in the FCS. The Jerry Rice Award is named after the legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver who starred in the FCS at Mississippi Valley State University. Past recipients include Cooper Kupp, Chase Edmonds, Trey Lance, Cam Ward, and Shedeur Sanders.
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Harper becomes the fourth Governor to be named a finalist for this award, joining Draylen Ellis, Drae McCray, and Montreze Smith Jr.
It’s a fitting honor for Harper given the season he’s having. Through eight games, Harper has caught 19 passes for 411 yards and six touchdowns, to go with 54 rushing yards and one rushing score. Harper has inflicted plenty of damage in the return game as well, with two punt-return touchdowns and a 100-yard field goal return score.
If Harper continues at this pace, it won’t be surprising to see him become the first Jerry Rice Award winner in program history.
Austin Peay player, team stats to monitor
The Govs only have four regular-season games remaining, so it’s a good time to take a look at some interesting season stats. Let’s see which players are standing out nationally and which team stats are the most impressive.
It won’t surprise anybody that Chris Parson is having another phenomenal season. Notably, the quarterback leads the FCS in yards per attempt, is tied for 11th in rushing touchdowns, and is 12th in points responsible for.
In the UAC, Parson has the third-best completion percentage, second-most passing yards, second-most passing touchdowns, and the third-most passing yards per game.
Marvin Sims
Marvin Sims is new to Austin Peay in 2026, and he quickly became Parson’s favorite target. The receiver is third in the UAC in receptions, as well as receiving yards, behind only Tarleton’s Marquis Willis and North Alabama’s Xavier Johnson.
Denver Harper
It also shouldn’t surprise anybody that Harper is near the top in a few categories. The receiver is second in the UAC in yards per catch and eighth in all FCS.
Harper is also fourth in the UAC in receiving yards and tied for first in touchdown catches. Lastly, Harper is the only player in the UAC with multiple return touchdowns and one of only six in all of the FCS with multiple punt return touchdowns.
Team stats
As far as team stats go, the Govs perform well in several categories. In fact, Austin Peay leads the UAC in the following areas: total defense, run defense, scoring defense, 4th down defense and turnovers gained. Nationally, the Govs are 14th in scoring defense and sixth in run defense.
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