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HomeSportsAPSU Governors Football 2015 Gameday Guide

APSU Governors Football 2015 Gameday Guide

Austin Peay Sports Information

Austin Peay State University Governors - APSUClarksville, TN – At every home football game in 2015, Austin Peay State University athletics will be recognizing important members of our campus and community, in addition to offering a fun atmosphere in and outside of Governors Stadium.

Austin Peay Football opens 2015 Season at home against Mercer on September 5th. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Football opens 2015 Season at home against Mercer on September 5th. (APSU Sports Information)

At each home game, APSU faculty and staff members will be recognized for their successes and contributions to campus as part of Austin Peay’s “I’m a Gov Because…” initiative. Clarksville Jr. Pro will be showcased at halftime of each home game (excluding homecoming) and fans can register for www.PeayNutsConnect.com to interact with other fans and earn points, at home or on the road.

Of course, Tailgate Alley will be open at each game, and fans can enjoy food,  and music. On the way into the stadium, every fan will have the opportunity to register for an upgrade to the club level, with four fans chosen each game.

The Mercer Game – September 5th

The Stakes: The Govs look to win a season-opener for the first time since 2010 and seek their first home-opening victory since 2011.

The History: Austin Peay’s first-ever meeting with Mercer happened just last season, when the Govs dropped a 49-21 contest in Macon at Mercer Stadium. The Govs fell behind 28-0 after a quarter and played catch-up the rest of the way, despite a 15-carry, 196-yard outing by Otis Gerron.

What’s Happening Inside:

  • Cogioba Scouts will present the giant American Flag for the opening game.
  • Austin Peay Football Reunion: A weekend long reunion for all Governors Football players. It begins with a Friday golf outing and a Saturday brunch at the Stadium. The 1964-65 Football teams will be recognized, along with all former players, on the field during the game.
  • Students and the residents they helped during April’s The Big Event community service initiative will be recognized on the field.
  • There will be a relay-style Punt, Pass and Kick competition for Austin Peay students (prizes TBA) in conjunction with University Recreation.

What’s Happening Outside:

  • Friday afternoon, there will be a ‘First Friday’ pep rally, with a speech from head coach Kirby Cannon and giveaways from Student Life and Engagement.

The Eastern Illinois Game – October 3rd

The Stakes: The Govs look to win their conference home opener for the first time since 2011.

The History: At 3-12 all-time in the series, Austin Peay looks to pick up its first win against the Panthers since 2008.

What’s Happening Inside:

  • This will be the first fall AP Day. Not only will the stadium be packed with PFPS (Potential Future Peay Students), our current students, faculty and staff who make AP Day a success will be recognized during the game.
  • The 1996 APSU baseball team – which earned Austin Peay’s first NCAA Tournament trip – will be recognized during the game.
  • Austin Peay’s OVC Commissioner Honor Roll honorees will be recognized during the game as part of Academic Success Night, which will encompass the university as a whole and not just athletics.

What’s Happening Outside:

  • Friday afternoon, there will be a ‘First Friday’ pep rally, with a speech from head coach Kirby Cannon and giveaways from Student Life and Engagement.
  • Friday night will be Dance Marathon in the Red Barn.

The UT Martin Game – October 17th

The Stakes: The Govs seek their first home win against the Skyhawks since 2007 – nearly one year to the day after the Govs snapped the nation’s longest losing streak when they beat Murray State, October 18th, 2014.

The History: After being .500 (25-25-2) against the Skyhawks prior to going independent, the Govs are just 1-11 since against their West Tennessee neighbors. Last season, the Govs fell 38-7 at UT Martin despite a 10-tackle day from Adam Noble and three-catch, 50-yard performance from Wesley Thomas.

What’s Happening Inside:

  • Clarksville Community Night: Austin Peay Athletics will recognize various community groups through presentations on the field throughout the game. Submit your organization at www.LetsGoPeay.com/Hero
  • The 2010 Ohio Valley Conference championship-winning Austin Peay volleyball team will be recognized for their achievements.

The Jacksonville State Game – October 24th

The Stakes: Squaring off against the preseason Ohio Valley Conference favorites, Austin Peay looks for its first Homecoming victory since 2008.

The History: The Governors are 6-15-3 all-time against Jacksonville State, which joined the OVC in 2003. Since Austin Peay returned to the OVC in 2007, the Governors have never beaten the Gamecocks; in fact, you have to go back to 1979 for Austin Peay’s last win against Jacksonville State, and back to 1960 for the Govs last home win against the Gamecocks.

What’s Happening Inside:

  • At halftime, the Homecoming Court will be presented and Austin Peay’s outstanding student programs will be recognized.
  • The alumni band will join the Governors Own Marching Band to play the fight song prior to kickoff.
  • Meet the 2015-16 APSU basketball teams with a special presentation leading into their season.
  • Austin Peay’s Alumni Award winners – who will be honored during a private luncheon prior to the game – will be recognized on the field for their outstanding achievements.

What’s Happening Outside:

  • The yearly Fight Song competition will be held Monday in the UC Plaza, while AP Apollo will take place Tuesday night in Clement Auditorium.
  • There will be a pep rally and bonfire Friday Night in the Dunn Center Bowl, where President White, head coach Kirby Cannon and others will be on hand to speak.
  • The annual Homecoming Parade begins at 10:00am, Saturday, with a route still to be determined.
  • G.H.O.S.T., Austin Peay’s SGA-sponsored Halloween initiative, takes place Sunday at Governors Stadium.

The Southeast Missouri Game – November 7th

The Stakes: The Govs look to make it three wins in their last five Senior Day outings.

The History: After winning four of the first five meetings between the two squads, the Govs have lost 12 of the last 14 meetings between the two since 1993. Damien Whitfield had Austin Peay’s first interception return for a touchdown since 2011 in last season’s installment.

What’s Happening Inside:

  • It will be a Senior Day send-off at Governors Stadium, with Adam Noble, Tyler Miles and others set to play their last home game.
  • Austin Peay’s Adult/Non-Traditional Student Center will hold their ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ event and be recognized during the game.
  • Our friends at Fort Campbell will be recognized during the game and give insight to the history of Fort Campbell during halftime.
  • Austin Peay will be helping out with the Rotary Club’s Canned Food Drive to benefit the local Salvation Army, offering two-dollar tickets with a donation of two canned food items. Total donations will be announced at halftime.

What’s Happening Outside:

  • Friday afternoon, there will be a ‘First Friday’ pep rally, with a speech from head coach Kirby Cannon and giveaways from Student Life and Engagement.

Governors football season tickets are on sale now as well, starting as low as $50.00 for the season with seating locations determined by Governors Club donation level. The inaugural season at new Governors Stadium featured a sold-out Club Level and prompted a waiting list to help move season-ticket holders into Club Level seats as the come available.

There are two ways to advance on the waiting list – buy season tickets (priority based on number of season tickets held since 2014) and join the Governors Club (priority based on total annual donation since 2014).

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