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Austin Peay Governors Football to play national power Virginia Tech in 2012

APSU Sports Information: Austin Peay Football

Austin Peay State University GovernorsClarksville, TN – Add another power conference and a Top 20 opponent to Austin Peay State University’s list of future football opponents.

In fact, Austin Peay will play Virginia Tech, September 8th, 2012, at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, VA, in next season’s second game. Virginia Tech is representing the Atlantic Coast Conference in this year’s Allstate Sugar Bowl, January 3rd, in New Orleans. It is the 25th bowl trip for the Hokies in their 118-season history.

APSU Men's Football (Keith Dorris/Dorris Photography)
APSU Men's Football (Keith Dorris/Dorris Photography)

“It is going to be fun game,” APSU coach Rick Christophel said. “Coach (Frank) Beamer and his staff do a great job. I have known Coach Beamer for a long time and I am good friends with (defensive coordinator) Bud Foster. We have gotten some of our defensive thoughts from them.

“We are excited to get the opportunity to play up there in Blacksburg. It is just a great football environment.”

Virginia Tech has been one of the nation’s top programs under the tutelage of Beamer, who has been head coach since 1986 and earned multiple conference and national coach of the year awards. Beamer returned to his alma mater after being head coach six seasons at Ohio Valley Conference school Murray State from 1981-86.

The 1999 Hokies played for the national title against Florida State and remain one of the nation’s most respected programs—Virginia Tech is the alma mater of APSU assistant coach Marcus Gildersleeve. In 2004, Virginia Tech left the Big East for ACC, the Hokies’ current conference.

“We are going to have keep Marcus under wraps that entire week—we told him he cannot wear any of that Hokie stuff during the week, he has to wear red and white,” Christophel laughingly said. “He also was instrumental in helping us get this game.”

Virginia Tech will be the Govs’ first ACC opponent and third BCS foe in school history. The Governors, who played their first Bowl Championship Subdivision team in 2010 at Wisconsin, played Big East power Cincinnati to open the 2011 season.

The Governors also have another BCS foe on its schedule when it plays Southeastern Conference member Vanderbilt in 2013 and 2015.

In addition to the BCS schools, the Governors also have on tap two other Football Bowl Subdivision opponents. The Governors will open the 2012 season at Western Kentucky, September 1st, and will play Ohio in 2013. Ohio won the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl over the weekend.  

“Playing these type opponents not only helps our football team but it is good for our entire athletic program as well,” Christophel said. “If we can go to Western Kentucky with a little bit of a bit in our mouth and are able to go to Virginia Tech and play with that same type of emotion and confidence, it will be fun for our players.”

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