CLARKSVILLE – Austin Peay State University’s football team battled back from a 14-point halftime deficit to tie the game, but Chattanooga’s Clayton Crile hit a 35-yard field goal as time expired to provide the winning margin in a 24-21 decision Saturday.

This was the opening round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship at Fortera Stadium.

APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)
APSU vs. Chattanooga Football at Fortera Stadium on Nov 25, 2023. (Wesley Irvin)

Key plays

Chattanooga (8-4) built a 14-point halftime lead with two touchdowns in the final 8:17 of the second quarter. The Mocs capped an eight-play, 78-yard drive with Gino Appleberry’s one-yard touchdown run to take a 14-7 lead. On the half’s final drive, Chattanooga saw a pass intercepted in the end zone, but Jamoi Jones recovered to force a fumble on the attempted return, scooped up the loose ball, and returned it four yards for a touchdown and a 21-7 halftime lead.

Facing its largest halftime deficit since the season opener at Southern Illinois, Austin Peay (9-3) opened the second half with Jaden Barnes’ 70-yard kickoff return to set the offense deep in Chattanooga territory. Jevon Jackson had six carries for 29 yards on the ensuing drive, including a one-yard touchdown dash to cut the deficit to 21-14.

Chattanooga had an opportunity to extend its lead late in the third quarter with a 27-yard field goal attempt, but the kick was driven into the line where Austin Peay blocked it. The ensuing drive needed three plays to tie the game with 1:35 left in the third quarter. DiLiello opened the drive with a 36-yard completion to Kenny Odom, then capped the drive with a 27-yard touchdown completion to Tre Shackelford.

After Austin Peay tied the game, Chattanooga pieced together a drive that stalled at the APSU 21-yard line. The Mocs attempted a 38-yard field goal, but the try hit the left upright to keep the game tied.

Neither team got inside their opponent’s 40-yard line in the next two drives. Austin Peay started what ultimately proved to be its final drive on its 12-yard line. The Govs gained 13 yards on the ensuing drive and were forced to punt from its 26-yard line. After the punt, Chattanooga set up on its 40-yard line.

The Mocs drive was kept alive early when Luke Schomburg connected with Sam Phillips for a 25-yard completion on 3rd-and-4. Three plays later, Chattanooga faced a 3rd-and-7, and Schomburg found Appleberry for the seven-yard gain. Another three plays later, Crile’s 35-yard field goal provided his redemption and Chattanooga’s advancement to the second round.

Key players

Jackson ran for an APSU playoff record 184 yards and two touchdowns on 23 attempts, including a season-long 57-yard run that resulted in the Govs’ game-tying touchdown in the first quarter.

DiLiello completed 12-of-22 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. Odom caught seven passes for 51 yards and Shackelford had two receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, three Governors ended the game with double-digit tackles. Xavier Smith finished with a career-high 13 tackles, including one tackle for loss, and had two pass breakups. Sam Howard had a 12-tackle outing for his fourth double-digit tackle outing this season. Tyler Long also notched 11 tackles.

Making his second career start, Schomburg completed 21-of-36 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown. Javin Whatley caught seven passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. Appleberry had 15 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Alex Mitchell had a team-leading nine tackles, a breakup, and a forced fumble.