CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – For Austin Peay (2-2) football, this Saturday marks the start of Ohio Valley Conference play as the Governors host No. 11 Jacksonville State (3-1) at 2 p.m. at Fortera Stadium.

Last week on the road at East Tennessee State University, the Governors squandered a 14-10 fourth-quarter lead, allowing 10 unanswered points over the final seven minutes of the game to the Bucs. ETSU’s late rally propelled them to a 20-14 win in the first meeting between the former OVC foes since 1978.

Despite the final outcome, Austin Peay had a lot to write home about. Governor wide receiver DeAngelo Wilson continued to shine, hauling in nine catches for a season-high 137 yards. The junior playmaker currently ranks eighth nationally in total receiving yards and 12th in receiving yards per game. He also had 49 punt return yards and finished the game with 186 all-purpose yards.

After Jeremiah Oatsvall was forced to miss his second consecutive start due to injury, JaVaughn Craig stepped up yet again in his absence, finishing with 218 yards passing and 40 yards rushing.

Austin Peay running back Kentel Williams added a game-high 72 yards on the ground, but will likely need more than 15 carries this week if the Governors hope to have a shot against Jacksonville State on Saturday.

Redshirt-senior defensive back Juantarius Bryant had a game-high 13 tackles against the Bucs while Jack McDonald recovered a fumble, made an interception and recorded five tackles for the Govs on defense.

Jacksonville State extended its home regular season winning streak to 31 games with a 30-12 win over North Alabama this past Saturday. The Gamecocks received numerous explosive plays on offense, as the Zerrick Cooper to Josh Pearson connection proved to be too much for the Lions to handle.

The Govs defense will have to keep its eyes peeled on JSU’s Pearson who was named OVC Co-Offensive Player of the Week after logging seven catches for a career-best 149 yards and three touchdowns in the win over North Alabama.

With 22 career touchdowns catches, Pearson only needs to nab one more against the Govs to tie the JSU all-time record.

However, the Gamecocks also have two other weapons on the offensive side of the ball in Jamari Hester and Trae Barry who are equally as dangerous, making JSU the only team nationally who have three players on the same team ranked inside the Top 50 in receiving yards.

Cooper, the Gamecocks quarterback, put up 279 yards of total offense against North Alabama and currently ranks fourth nationally in that category.

Jacksonville State has won 12 straight meetings against Austin Peay and owns an 8-3-2 record against the Govs in Clarksville.

There are a few details Austin Peay fans should keep in mind in regards to Saturday’s contest. All Gov fans are encouraged to wear black and there will be a limited number of special edition “Blackout” shirts handed out to fans upon entry.

One new feature at Fortera Stadium in 2019 is the Beer Garden. Trained and licensed servers will sell beer in the Beer Garden located in the southeast corner of the stadium property, across the field from the current VIPeay Endzone experience.

Also, look for Stache Street and Tailgate Alley to be more crowded than usual with students having the opportunity to bring their parents to campus as Austin Peay’s Office of Student Life and Engagement is hosting its annual Family Weekend.