CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) The Austin Peay State University football team racked up a school record 644 total yards of offense against Tennessee State, Saturday at Fortera Stadium, but suffered a heartbreaking 41-40 loss in the final seconds after taking the lead with 1:05 remaining on the clock.

Freshman quarterback JaVaughn Craig totaled five touchdowns in the contest, three of which going to junior receiver Jared Beard. Beard’s final grab of the game went for a 40-yard score, putting the Governors on top 40-34.

However, the Tigers put together a six-play, 81-yard drive, capping it off with a 21-yard game-winning touchdown pass from Ronald Butler to Steven Newbold with two seconds remaining.

On its final drive, Tennessee State opened with passes of 14 and 11 yards, setting them up at their own 33. Butler then rushed twice for a combined 20 yards before a pass interference call on APSU set the Tigers up for the game-winner.

Austin Peay’s 644 yards of offense is a school record, breaking the previous mark set on Nov. 23, 1996 against UT Martin.
Craig’s five touchdowns breaks the APSU freshman quarterback record and ties Brian Baker for the most touchdown passes in a single game.

Craig becomes the first Gov to score five or more touchdowns in a single-game since Daniel Williams in the 1996 UT Martin game.
It’s also the most passing touchdowns since Jake Ryan tossed four against Tennessee Tech in 2012.

Overall, Craig finished with 466 total yards, the last Gov to go over 400 since Baker in 2001 versus Campbellsville. In addition, it’s the most by an Ohio Valley Conference player this season.

Craig’s 5 touchdown passes ties for the best mark in the OVC and is the tied for the 9th best in the NCAA on the season. He is also tied for the most touchdown passes in a game for freshman on the season.

In the first quarter, Demarion Allen scooped up a fumble on a TSU point after try, returning it 98 yards into the endzone for two points. He becomes the first Gov to score a defensive two-point conversion since Rip Rowan at UT Martin, Oct. 8, 2011.

Beard recorded his fourth 100-plus yard receiving game, finishing with 146 yards and matched his career-high in touchdowns with three.

Junior Kyran Moore did virtually everything for the Govs, playing offense, defense and special teams. Moore rushed for 61 yards, caught one ball for 32 yards, threw a pass, handled kickoff/punt return duties and went back to his secondary roots to record his second career interception.

Freshman running back Kentel Williams quietly posted 173 total yards, a career-best. Linebacker Gunnar Scholato, the NCAA’s leader in tackles, led the team in tackles with seven.

Head Coach Will Healy’s overall thoughts

“I’m heartbroken. This is what college football is all about. Our kids are just so resilient, coming out and putting it all on the line each day of practice. You wouldn’t watch us and think we’re a football team who hasn’t won nine games in. The part that hurts the worst is I wanted them to have success so badly. There are people who are so supportive of what we’re doing and it breaks your heart when you don’t win on the scoreboard.”