CHARLESTON, Ill. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) Austin Peay State University’s football team showcased its offensive prowess against one of the nation’s top teams, but fell short on the road at No. 16 Eastern Illinois, 56-35, Saturday at O’Brien Field.

After an Austin Peay touchdown with 13:25 left in the fourth quarter that cut the EIU lead down to 35-28, the Govs dialed up a surprise onside kick and came away with the recovery. However, on the ensuing extra possession EIU tipped a pass at the line scrimmage and came away with an interception. The Panthers capitalized on the turnover three plays later with a 12-yard TD pass to take a 42-28 lead with just over 12 minutes remaining.

The Governors racked up 370 yards of offense in the contest, leading to the most points scored in an Ohio Valley Conference matchup since 2012 against Tennessee Tech. EIU entered the game allowing just 25.3 points per game which was 84th in the NCAA and Junior receiver Jared Beard had a career day, nearly breaking the single-game receptions record with 11 grabs for 176 yards and two touchdowns.

Beard also became the first Austin Peay player since Devin Stark in 2012 to catch 10 passes in a game. Beard’s 10 catches and 176 is an OVC high entering play this weekend. He becomes just the sixth player in APSU history to record over 175 receiving yards in game. For his career, Beard eclipsed the century receiving mark. He has hauled in 80 catches for 1,056 yards as a Gov.

Junior return man Kyran Moore had a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown to begin the third quarter. It’s the first for the Govs since Enriques Perry did so against Southeast Missouri in 2013, which was the last game at the old Governors Stadium before renovations were made. It was also the longest play for the Govs since Perry’s 99 yard return. Moore’s TD was the first score of his career. Moore’s 98-yard return was the second longest play prior to the weekend in OVC play.

Moore finished with 167 kick return yards, the highest total by a Gov since Terrence Holt had 189 yards against Murray State in 2010.

Head Coach Will Healy offered his overall thoughts. “I was proud of our guys. I thought we competed until the very end. I think we made strides from two weeks ago until now. I think the thing our guys had to learn the hard way, when you play a really good football team, every mistake is magnified. We’ve got to stop learning the hard way and make plays where we can win these games instead of being excited that we played and had a chance.”

The Governors return home to Fortera Stadium to host Murray State, Oct. 1, at 4 p.m.