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HomeNewsAPSU Governors Football hits the road to face Murray State Racers Saturday

APSU Governors Football hits the road to face Murray State Racers Saturday

Austin Peay Governors vs. Murray State Racers

October 19th, 2013 | 3:00pm CDT
Murray, KY | Roy Stewart Stadium (16,800)

Austin Peay State University Governors Sports - APSUClarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University Governors Football is still seeking its first 2013 victory as they travel to Murray State to take on the Racers Saturday, October 19th.

The Governors enter the contest with 21 straight road losses. Their last road victory came against Tennessee State, a 26-23 verdict, September 18th, 2010.

Austin Peay Football Running Back Tim Phillips. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Football Running Back Tim Phillips. (APSU Sports Information)

Austin Peay trails the series, 13-33 with Murray State. The Govs have lost five straight in the series and 12 of the last 13, including a 52-14 decision, October 6th, 2012, in Clarksville. The Govs have permitted 169 points in the last three losses to the Racers.

In six games this season, APSU has scored just 23 points, including only two touchdowns. The Govs’ second TD came on a nine-yard third-quarter run by Tim Phillips against Eastern Illinois.

When APSU ended spring practice its defensive line was four returning starters–senior defensive ends Iosua Siliva and Earnest Smith, senior defensive nose guard Reese Bulmash and junior tackle Malcolm Goines. All four are now out–Siliva (broken leg), Smith (Achilles tendon tear), Bulmash (concussion-related symptoms) and Goines (NCAA ineligibility). Siliva could return near season’s end while Bulmash also could return.

Murray State is led by senior receiver Walter Powell, who needs just 15 receiving yards to become the program’s all-time receiving yards record holder at the school. Powell currently has 2,456 yards in his career, inluding a career-best 15 catches for 158 yards against SEMO.

Racers’ quarterback Maikhail Miller has earned three straight OVC Newcomer of the Week honors after going 30-for-45 for 292 yards and three touchdowns at SEMO.

Offensive Notes

Andrew SpiveyAustin Peay led the OVC in fewest sacks allowed with just 10 in 11 games in 2012. In fact, that number was two better than Jacksonville State and UT Martin. This season, however, the Governors already have permitted 12 sacks, including one by Eastern Illinois.

When Andrew Spivey connected with Darryl Clack for 10 yards with 8:02 left in the first quarter, it was the Govs’ first first-quarter first down in three games—since Sept. 14, 2013 at Chattanooga.

Tim PhillipsAPSU senior running back Tim Phillips’ third quarter touchdown against EIU was the first Governors touchdown in more than 200 minutes of football, since the first quarter at Chattanooga.

After rushing for only six yards against EKU, October 5th, the Govs rushed for a season high 158 yards against EIU. The Governors also set season highs in total yards (309) and passing yards (151) against the Panthers.

Senior running back Tim Phillips had his best single-game yardage output with 83 yards rushing on 12 carries against EIU.

Defensive Notes

After the Eastern Kentucky game, it was discovered senior defensive end Iosua Siliva has a slight fracture in his right leg and will miss at least the next four weeks.

Senior safety EnRiques Perry and junior safety Johnathan Shuler led the Govs with seven tackles each versus EIU.

Senior safety Leron Eaddy led the Govs in tackles at EKU with nine stops.

EnRiques PerryFreshmen Roderick Owens, a cornerback, and A.J. Gray, a linebacker, were second and third on the team in tackles with seven and six, respectively, against Eastern Kentucky.

Another freshman, linebacker Antonio Turner, gained the Govs’ only turnover, a fumble recovery against EKU.

Senior safety EnRiques Perry was credited with forcing two fumbles in the game at Ohio while Montez Carlton had the other.

Special Teams Notes

Ben CampbellIn the first six games junior punter Ben Campbell has booted the ball 44 times. At his current pace he would end with 88 punts. APSU’s record for most single-season punts is held by Grad Wright, who punted 82 times during the 1990 season.

Austin Peay freshman placekicker Chase Dunlap, who missed one field goal and had a second blocked at Ohio, converted his first college kick with a 30-yard field goal against Eastern Kentucky. However, he missed a 36-yard attempt against Eastern Illinois.

Governors Radio Network

WVRY 105.1 FM again is serving as the Governors Sports Network in 2013-14. David Loos, who also handles play-by-play for Lady Govs basketball and color for the Govs, is in his 12th season as football play-by-play voice while Van Stokes, a veteran broadcaster with a diverse background adds the color.

Govs Game Day will begin one hour before game time followed by the pre-game show 30 minutes prior to kickoff each week.

Television/Internet

Saturday’s 3:00pm, APSU-Murray State contest will be available on ESPN3, ESPN’s live multiscreen sports network that is accessible online via www.WatchESPN.com, on smart phones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members and on Apple TV.

Kevin Ingram will have the play by play while Bob Belvin will provide the color.

OVC Digital Network

All OVC football games plus home non-conference contests will be televised in HD by the new OVC Digital Network. The OVC is excited to offer LIVE and on-demand streaming video and audio straight to your computer, tablet or smart phone.

Govs Social Media

All things related to Austin Peay Athletics can be found on Twitter @LetsGoPeay and through Facebook at  www.facebook.com/apsugovs.

For all your APSU athletics needs, be sure to visit www.LetsGoPeay.com

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