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HomeSportsAerial trickery helps propel Governors to 38-6 season-opening victory

Aerial trickery helps propel Governors to 38-6 season-opening victory

Austin Peay State University GovernorsAlthough Austin Peay State University rolled up more than 300 yards in rushing, it was a bit of aerial trickery that propelled the Governors’ 38-6 season-opening victory against Cumberland, Thursday night, in Governors Stadium.

With the Govs leading just 3-0 early in the second quarter, wide receiver Devin Stark connected with fellow receiver Darryl Miller for a 30-yard to spearhead a three touchdown second quarter as the APSU blew open a close ball game against its NAIA opponent.

Darryl Miller scoring  during the APSU vs Cumberland Game on Thursday evening
Darryl Miller scoring during the APSU vs Cumberland Game on Thursday evening

Stark, a former high school quarterback, spread out wide to the left and came in motion. Quarterback Jake Ryan took the snap and handed off to Stark on what appeared to be a reverse. After five steps Stark pulled up and found a wide open Miller heading towards the end zone.  That gave the Govs a 10-0 lead.

Before the half ended Terrence Holt broke loose for a 42-yard score and Ryan White added another just before halftime as the Governors led 24-3. Holt finished with 126 yards rushing on 14 carries while White ended with 86 on 11 attempts. Holt, in fact, with his 167 all-purpose yards became Austin Peay’s all-time record holder in that category with 5,630 yards.

A Delton Teeter 66-yard TD interception return and Wes Kitts’ 68-yard TD run capped the second-half scoring.  Kitts, a junior, joined the 100-yard rushing club with 107 yards in his first extensive experience.

A Cumberland Player advances as the tough APSU Defense moves in
A Cumberland Player advances as the tough APSU Defense moves in

Defensively, the Govs limited Cumberland to two field goals and 238 yards total offense. The Govs’ new linebacking duo of Zac Burkhart and Darrick Dillard each finished with 10 tackles. Senior defensive tackle Antonio Faulkner ended with eight tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss.

But on the negative side, APSU was charged with 17 penalties for 187 yards. And APSU quarterbacks combined for 6 of 16 passing for 39 yards.

The victory gave Austin Peay its first back-to-back season opening victories since the 1987-88 seasons.

APSU Head Coach Rick Christophel
APSU Head Coach Rick Christophel

“I was excited about the effort in all phases of the game,” APSU coach Rick Christophel said. “We certainly have some things to work but effort is not one of them.

“We just put in the (Stark) pass on Tuesday and ran it once in practice. Devin is a former high school quarterback and he made a good pass to Darryl.”

The Govs will return to action, a week from Saturday, when they travel to Murfreesboro to play former Ohio Valley Conference rival Middle Tennessee in a 6:00pm contest.

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