CLARKSVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Austin Peay’s Governors are set to kick off the 2019 season on Thursday, August 29, 7 p.m, at Fortera Stadium where they will face North Carolina Central. This is Austin Peay’s first regular home season opener since 2015.
Year One of Head Coach Mark Hudspeth’s era begins as he vies to become the first coach to win his debut since Rick Christophel in 2007.
While the team’s Head Coach is new, the Gov’s have veterans returning on both sides of the ball. On offense, Jeremiah Oatsvall returns firmly entrenched as QB1, and will be responsible for getting preseason All-American back Kentel Williams, along with leading returning receiver DeAngelo Wilson, the ball with plenty of space to work.
Defensively, walk-on turned All-OVC standout Juantarius Bryant captains an elite secondary stuffed with veteran playmakers. Pat Walker will be tasked with replacing three-time All-OVC choice Gunnar Scholato’s production at linebacker.
While Austin Peay is implementing new strategies with an entirely new coaching staff, things are sure to look different for North Carolina Central under first-year head coach Trei Oliver. Oliver, who replaced interim head coach and former Austin Peay defensive coordinator Granville Eastman, made his bones as Southern’s defensive coordinator. He has a wrecking machine on the defensive line in All-MEAC holdover Darius Royster, who collected 17.0 TFL and forced four fumbles a year ago. On offense, incumbent lead back Isaiah Totten (768 yards, seven touchdowns) leads the way for a unit that averaged 168.7 rushing yards per game a year ago.
This will be the first battle between the Govs and Eagles in program history. Not only is this the first matchup between the two teams, it’s Austin Peay’s first-ever matchup against an MEAC foe.
Catch this and all other APSU games live with ESPN Clarksville online or by tuning in to 104.1 FM/540 AM.