CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Austin Peay football ended a 40-year winless drought to Jacksonville State at home on Saturday, as the Governors knocked off the No. 11 ranked Gamecocks 52-33.
The Govs opened up OVC play with a victory against the defending conference champions, defeating Jacksonville State for the first time since 1979 to put their 12-game losing streak against the Gamecocks to bed. It was just the second time JSU had dropped a league matchup in its last 40 OVC contests.
It was also Austin Peay’s first win over a ranked opponent since 2017, when the Governors downed then No. 18 ranked UT-Martin.
The Govs did damage on both sides of the ball Saturday, as two Austin Peay players each brought home OVC Offensive Player of the Week and OVC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Junior defensive back Kordell Jackson had two interceptions for the second time this season, making him the first OVC player with a pair of multiple interception games in the same season since Jacksonville State’s Jaylen Hill did so in 2016. Jackson is also the only Division I player in the FBS or FCS to have two multiple interception games this season.
Senior quarterback JaVaughn Craig accounted for five touchdowns against JSU after throwing two touchdown passes and rushing for three more scores. The Chattanooga native completed 15-of-21 passes for 220 yards on the day.
In the first quarter, Craig connected with DeAngelo Wilson for a 72-yard touchdown strike and later found Gorel Soumare early in the third quarter for a 48-yard score to make it 45-7. Craig ran for 30 yards on nine carries, including touchdown runs of three yards in the second quarter, four yards in the third quarter and recovered a fumble in the end zone in the fourth quarter. Craig now has 13 career rushing touchdowns, tied for the most by a quarterback in school history.
Jackson’s first interception of the game led to Austin Peay’s first points of the game after he picked off Zerrick Cooper at the JSU 20-yard line.
In the second quarter, Jackson made his second pick, returning the ball 41 yards deep into Gamecock territory. He also added a tackle-for-loss and a quarterback hurry on the day. Jackson’s four interceptions this season currently tie him for the most nationally.
Senior running back Kentel Williams led the Governors rushing attack with 24 carries for 173 yards, becoming just the third player in program history to eclipse 4,000 career rushing yards.
Austin Peay (3-2, 1-0) is currently on a bye week before the Governors host Southeast Missouri State at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12 at Fortera Stadium.