CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Austin Peay football (0-2) will wrap up its three-game fall slate Saturday when the Governors travel to take on Cincinnati (0-0) with kickoff scheduled for 11 a.m. at Nippert Stadium.

“We understand what we’re going up against,” said Austin Peay interim head football coach Marquase Lovings. “On the defensive side of the ball, they’re a very multiple team. They’re very sound in what they do and play extraordinarily fast up front. They like to bring pressure on third down and are really creative.

“Offensively, they’re 11 personnel. I think they’re quarterback Ridder (Desmond) does a heck of a job both run and pass. They have excellent tight ends, their running game is really good and three receivers are always going to be on the field. They’re going to make you stop the run and challenge you in the passing game. They execute at a very high level.”

Even though it’s a rather small sample size and albeit with one game coming against a Power 5 opponent, junior quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall has looked out of sorts compared to his usual self under center so far in 2020.

“We’re behind Jeremiah 100 percent,” Lovings said. “We want what’s best for him. We know Coach Zetts is going to put him in the best position possible to be successful. We look forward to him making improvements this Saturday.”

Governor wide receiver Baniko Harley had five catches for 83 yards against Pittsburgh last Saturday. Austin Peay offensive coordinator Tim Zetts shared what a quality performance against an FBS school can ultimately do for Harley moving forward.

“I think it probably reaffirms his confidence,” Zetts said. “We expect all of our receivers to go out and hold their own no matter who it is that we play. He’s obviously a talented player that we lean a lot on. It was good to see him have a productive day and we look for him to build on that.”

After missing the season opener against Central Arkansas, defensive tackle Josephus Smith returned to the field against the Panthers. The redshirt senior recorded a sack which Gov fans are certainly accustomed to seeing, after the All-OVC selection had 7.5 a year ago.

Austin Peay defensive coordinator Mark Powell discussed how important Smith is for the entire defensive unit as whole.

“He’s a guy who you feel a lot better when he’s on the field,” Powell said. “He’s going to play hard, people have to know where he’s at and I think he does a really good job of splitting double teams. He uses his height to his advantage being able to get underneath pads and makes big plays. For me coaching linebackers, they definitely feel better when they see 44 in front of them.”

Despite starting the season 0-2, most Gov followers would agree that the barometer for the team’s success during the fall slate wasn’t going to be solely based on just wins and losses.

“I just want us to executive in all phases,” Lovings said. “Offense, defense and special teams. We gotta just look at us. How we’re running routes. How we’re pass protecting…Just things that we can kind of control. I think that’s really important from that standpoint. I want us to execute at a high level. That’s what I want to see.”

Austin Peay defensive backs coach Dominique Bowman believes players such as Kordell Jackson, Isaiah Norman and Jack McDonald have taken it upon themselves when it comes to demanding excellence on the field.

“All those guys called the team up after the game,” Bowman said. “They know it’s not the standard. Kordell Jackson stood up and said, ‘Listen. I don’t care who we play, we have to do our job’…I know this. If nobody believes in Austin Peay football and this team, these kids and us believe in what we have here. If you don’t understand what we’ve been through and what we’ve gone through this camp, you’re not on our bandwagon.”

How to watch and listen

Saturday’s game can be streamed on ESPN+ through the ESPN app.

Brian Rives and Van Stokes will also have the call on radio which can be heard on 104.1-FM/540-AM ESPN Clarksville.

Austin Peay is 0-6 all time against Cincinnati.

“My hats off to Luke Fickell for the program that he’s built there,” Lovings said. “We look forward to the challenge on Saturday.”