CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – No. 24-ranked Austin Peay football took care of business Saturday, Nov. 9 to remain atop of the OVC standings, defeating UT-Martin 38-24 on homecoming. The Governors limited the Skyhawk rushing attacked to -25 yards on the day and overcame a slow start offensively to capture the victory.
Both teams struggled to find room to operate early on, resulting in a scoreless opening quarter.
With 11:45 remaining in the second quarter, Baniko Harley put the Govs on the board first, as he took the snap from the “Wild Gov” formation and followed Prince Momodu into the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown run.
Kordell Jackson continued his season theme of being a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, picking off the Skyhawk pass attempt for his seventh interception of the season. The turnover eventually led to six points when Kentel Williams kept his legs churning and was off to the races untouched for a touchdown.
After building a 14-0 lead, APSU kept its foot on the gas pedal. Austin Peay head coach Mark Hudspeth decided to go for it on fourth-and-one from the Skyhawk 49-yard line to keep the Governor drive alive. The decision would pay off, as Harley moved the chains on a 3-yard rush before Logan Birchfield connected on a 23-yard field goal to give the Govs a 17-0 lead. UT-Martin got on the board late in the first half, but trailed by two scores going into the break.
Austin Peay’s defense continued to hold true to their No. 1-ranking in the conference on Saturday. After the Gov offense turned the ball over to start the second half, the Governor defense recorded a sack and tackle-for-loss to force the fifth Skyhawk punt of the game.
DeAngelo Wilson had another huge day for the Governors that included many drive-extending plays and yards after the catch. In the third quarter, JaVaughn Craig found Wilson for a pair of 28-yard completions, setting up Williams’ second score of the game on a 5-yard touchdown run.
UT-Martin fought back to get in the game, scoring on their next drive to cut the lead to 24-10. After the Skyhawk defense forced the Governors to punt, the offense would work the ball deep into Governor territory. On fourth-and-five, the John Bachus pass attempt fell incomplete, giving the ball back to Austin Peay.
A few plays later, Craig hooked up with Wilson again this time for a 49-yard strike to get the Govs into the red zone. One play later, Williams took the handoff and ran it in for his third score of the contest, as Austin Peay regained a comfortable lead.
After UT-Martin scored on their next possession to pull back within 14 points, Momodu capped off a nine-play, 54-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown run. The Skyhawks scored on their next drive, but failed to recover the onside kick to keep their hopes alive.
Josephus Smith anchored the Gov defensive front, tying the program record for sacks in a single game with six. Wilson, the talented wide out, eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving on the season and now only needs 10 yards to become the all-time leading receiver in Governor history.
Austin Peay continues to control its own destiny moving forward. Wins over Murray State and Eastern Illinois to close out the season would give the Governors the OVC regular season title and punch their ticket to the FCS playoffs.
Austin Peay finished its 2019 Sgt. York Trophy schedule with a 2-1 record. The trophy will be decided after Tennessee State plays their final two regular season games against Tennessee Tech and UT-Martin.