Austin Peay (0-4) vs. Eastern Kentucky (4-0)
Saturday October 4th, 2014 | 6:00pm CDT
Clarksville, TN | Governors Stadium
Clarksville, TN – For the third time in the last four weeks Austin Peay State University’s football team will play a ranked Football Championship Subdivision team.
This week will be No. 18/19 Eastern Kentucky in Governors Stadium for a 6:00pm, Saturday kickoff in Ohio Valley Conference action. Last week it was No. 22/23 Illinois State and, September 13th, the Govs played host to No. 14/17 Chattanooga.
Eastern Kentucky comes to town with a 4-0 overall record, 1-0 in the OVC and off a bye week. Â Eastern Kentucky is aiming for its first 5-0 start since 1990. The Colonels are 12-2 following ‘open’ weeks since 2000. EKU has won 12 straight following an opening weekend.The Colonel offense currently ranks among the top 15 nationally in rushing (280.8 yards per game/6th), total offense (490.5 ypg/8th) and scoring offense (37.5 points per game /14th). Running back Dy’Shawn Mobley leads the OVC in rushing (475 yards) and is ranked third in FCS in average yards per rush (8.6 ypc).
The key defensively—and perhaps offensively as well—is the fact the Colonels have forced 13 turnovers in the last three games, resulting in nine TDs. Defensive back Stanley Absamon leads EKU with a pair of interceptions while defensive end Marquise Piton and linebacker Trey Thomas each have four tackles for loss. The Colonels already have 12 quarterback sacks this season compared to two by the Govs.
Austin Peay comes in still seek its first 2014 victory and first of Kirby Cannon‘s Austin Peay career. Defensively, the Govs showed stark first-half improvement against the rush at Illinois State, but the Redbirds unraveled APSU in the second half via the air in the 55-6 decision.
The Governors limited Illinois State to 0-of-4 on third downs in the first half and just 187 yards total offense, including a 69-yard TD run that skewed those numbers. Young players continued to shine defensively. Tyler Schneider recorded a tackle for loss against ISU while line back Benedict Louis was involved in five stops as a reserve. Twelve of the 20 Govs credited with tackles against Illinois State were freshmen or sophomores.
Offensively, freshman running back Otis Gerron energized the running game with 38 tough yards off the bench, contributing greatly to the Govs’ scoring drive.
Quarterbacks Darrien Boone and Mickey Macius continue to share the position. Macius’ passing helped greatly on the Govs scoring drive and then Boone pushed it over for the score.
Broadcast Information
Play-by-Play: David Loos
Analyst: Van Stokes
TV • Channel 99
Play-by-play: Mark Owens
Analyst: Will Pressnell
Governors on the Web
Online Video
www.ovcdigitalnetwork.com
Live Statistcs
www.LetsGoPeay.com
Live Audio
www.LetsGoPeay.com/showcase
Video – Kirby Cannon
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnjQCdbhbOo[/youtube]