Chattanooga, TN – Austin Peay scored a go-ahead touchdown late in the third, shutdown UT Chattanooga in the fourth, scored seven more, and upset the No. 20 Moccasins, 30-20, to chants of “Let’s go Peay! Let’s go Peay!”  The Governors finished a 76-yard drive with an eight-yard pass to WR Drae McCray from Draylen Ellis to take the lead, 23-20.  On this Thursday night, constant penalties negating key gains, questionable play-calling, and several officiating blunders contributed to opening game sloppiness, but all kept the game on a level field of play for the most part. Despite impressive numbers from Governor QB Ellis (23 of 33, 345 yards, four TDs, 2 INTs), both squads will need improved QB play to challenge for championships in their respective conferences, the Ohio Valley and Southern Conference, going forward. UTC QB Drayton Arnold struggled completing 11 of 26 for 130 yards, a TD, and two INTs.

Inexperience trumped by energy

     Tyrell Price’s three-yard TD run gave the Moccasins the lead, 7-0, midway through the first.  Ellis connected with WR Baniko Harley (six catches, 137 yards, TD) on a 35-yard seam route when LB Daniel Brent jumped the gap offsides to leave Harley uncovered.  Surprisingly, 31-year-old APU Head Coach Scotty Walden elected to go for an early two-point conversion, rarely called, that failed.  However, as the game progressed, the energy of the young coach exuded enthusiasm to his players through his young coaching staff along the sideline throughout.  What he lacks in experience, he makes up for it with a high energy level.

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Ref mistake leads to heads-up play

     Aside from this TD, the Moccasin defense kept the pressure on Ellis early whenever he dropped back. On the other side of the ball, holding penalties killed momentum for UTC.  In the second, a diving interception along the sideline by DB Jonathan Edwards of the Governors put his team at the Moccs 39.  Ellis and offense capitalized quickly on a missed call by the officiating crew.  After a tackle out of bounds, UTC Safety Brandon Dowdell got tangled up behind the APU bench.  Unable to return on to the field until the ball was snapped, Ellis took advantage of the missing player and connected with a wide-open DJ Render for a 30-yard score and a 13-7 lead.  To add insult to injury, the Moccs got hit with a sideline warning probably for arguing their player could not get back on the field.

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 Need a rulebook review

    The Mocc’s offense responded quickly on the subsequent drive led by RB Ailym Ford (17 rushes for 61 yards). His 34-yard TD jaunt regained the lead for UTC, 14-13.  Not sure of the rules here in this case, but the refs nullified APU’s ensuing kickoff return because a player who didn’t make the return signaled for a fair catch.  The Govs took over on their five.  Doesn’t a fair catch put the ball at the 25 for safety reasons? Maybe only if the returner gives the signal? We have to check this out.

     Following exchanged punts, APU’s next possession started from their 24.  Harley (six catches, 137, yards, TD) took a 46-yard reception he caught off a tip to UTC’s 24.  The Moccs held, but PK Maddux Trujillo converted a 26-yard FG to take a 16-14 Governor lead into halftime. 

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Our halftime review

This televised FCS contest with regular media timeouts and too many penalties lasted longer than any FCS contest attended in our past.  Even in FCS playoff games, media time-outs seemed fewer and shorter.  When you see a guy on the field holding a digital, LED clock to count down the length of the time-out, the game is destined to be prolonged. Officials went to a viewer on the field to review several critical calls, but replays rarely appeared on Finley Stadium’s big screen. Frustrating, since they apparently had television coverage.  Evidently, the Southern Conference has a more lucrative TV contract than the Colonial Athletic, Ivy League, or Patriot League where we’ve attended many games.

Seesaw third

     In the third, UTC regained the lead on a sideline pattern from 12 yards out to WR Reginald Henderson in the end zone to regain the lead, 20-16.  The missed PAT made up for the Governors’ failed two-point attempt earlier in the game.  Late in the third, the TD pass to McCray put APU in the lead for good.  Their next possession in the fourth seemed destined for failure.  On the second of two consecutively errantly, lofted Ellis passes, SS Brandon Dowdell fielded the ball like a punt for his second INT of the game.  UTC went three and out, however, putting APU back on offense from their 14 with the ensuing punt. 

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    The Governors rolled the length of the field on the wheels of RB Ahmaad Tanner doing the bulk of the ground work. He gained 103 yards on 19 carries, and took it in from the four on this drive with 8:14 remaining to extend the Governor’s lead, 30-20.  According to the game program the number 5 jersey he wore indicated he was TE William Wilcox, and the PA announcer obliged.  Not until a review of the game stats did Tanner get credit for his exploits on the field.  Through the end, Wilcox received credit, and no one corrected the announcer.   The Governor fans of the 8,114 in attendance, started their unique chant of, “Let’s go Peay! Let’s go Peay!”  What other team can appropriately celebrate that way in a stadium that sells beer?

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Force of nature

     The Governor’s defense halted the next Moccasin possession with Edward’s second pick of the game.  “Let’s go Peay!” grew louder with their Governors in control.  Starting from the 21, Tanner continued to carry the offense to control the clock and continue the cheers.  UTC Head Coach Rusty Wright, an alum, decided to use his final three time-outs to extend the game still needing two scores.  This was now taking too long.  After having enjoyed dinner and $3 drafts at the Chattanooga Brewing Company across the street from Finley right before the game, the APU chant started to sink in.  Game over.  “Let’s go Peay!”

Extra points: 

     Finely Stadium in downtown Chattanooga is a great and comfortable venue to enjoy UTC games.  They even sell actual paper tickets (to add to our extensive collection), a rarity these days, and offered free game programs.  We’ll plan to go back.

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     Both squads play again on September 11 – the Moccs host North Alabama and APU visits to one of our favorite tailgate sites, The Grove at Ole Miss.  Can’t imagine how Lane Kiffin has planned for them.  His defense will probably attain some stats to build on.  The week after, UTC ventures into SEC territory when they travel north to Kentucky.  CFF.com travels to San Marcos, TX to see Texas State host Baylor.

     We combined this football adventure with a historical excursion as we visited and toured nearby Lookout Mountain Battlefield.  The North and South fought “the Battle above the Clouds” here in November 1863. It amazes to realize the toughness and courage of the men who fought on both sides to accomplish things under adverse conditions and without the technologies developed since.  Hauling heavy equipment up and down this 2,100-foot mountain as well as attacking  and defending in the fog and clouds are astounding feats of strength and bravery.   Chattanooga claimed keys for both sides in their struggle as four railroad lines converged into the city from different directions needed for transporting troops and supplies throughout the South.  The 20-lb cannons fired balls two and a half miles from atop the highest point in the area.   Finley Stadium sat below within reach.  See below.

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