Clarksville, TN – FCS No. 23 Austin Peay spotted No. 20 Eastern Kentucky a 20-3 lead at halftime. However in the second half, a tough Governor defense shut out the Colonels. In addition, QB Mike Diliello finished the day with 181 yards rushing and three TDs to win, 31-20. Despite the first half score, the Governor defense led by LB Josh Rudolph and CB Kory Chapman held EKU in check. Twice they held the Colonels to two FGs, one after a turnover of downs and another in the red zone. EKU’s first TD came on a pick-six. Their one offensive TD came after a Colonel INT put them at the APSU 36 for a short TD drive. The Govs allowed only 116 yards on the ground and held the EKU scoring well below their 38 ppg average.
Colonels threaten often, but Govs don’t always break
By the end of the first half, Eastern Kentucky (2-2, 0-1) dominated the scoring. However, their lead could have been larger. They halted the first APSU drive at their 30 on a fourth and one. Patrick Nations booted a 46-yard FG to lead, 3-0. On the subsequent Austin Peay possession, DB Joseph Sayles swooped in front of the intended receiver and raced 40 yards. With nothing ahead of him but green, EKU bolted ahead for a quick 10-0 lead. Austin Peay (4-1, 1-0) finally got on the board with Maddux Trujillo’s 27-yard FG on a bad snap. The ball basically laid flat on the ground. An INT by Austin Peay DB Ethan Casselberry turned back another Colonel drive before the second period.
This Austin Peay turnover went nowhere. Later in the period, an Eastern Kentucky FG for 39 yards sailed wide left. A subsequent INT by EKU DB Matthew Ballentine started the Colonels from their 49. The drive resulted in a 17-yard TD catch and run to WR Jaden Smith for a 17-3 lead. Austin Peay’s next punt was returned to the 49. However, a 15-yard face-mask penalty tacked on 15 yards to start the Colonels at the 36 of the Govs. A pass to Smith got EKU to the four, but they got no farther and settled for Nation’s 17-yard FG. The Govs defensive stop kept the lead to 20-3 at half. Turnovers and key stops in the red zone prevented EKU from scoring more points.
Governor’s coaching staff plans while “Governor’s Own” performs
Very impressive today was the coaching by 32-year-old HC Scotty Walden and his staff. As usual, they maintain a lot of energetic enthusiasm along their side line. However, in this game, they also demonstrated a well-planned strategy. Their defense held on to keep the score within range during the first half. Their offense sputtered in the meantime. By the middle of the third, they seemed to have worn down the tough EKU defense. To do that, they implemented a churning, deceptive run offense using fresh backs, CJ Evans, Jr. (17 carries for 75 yards) and Jevon Jackson (13 carries for 51) to work for the short, tough gains through the middle. Their half-time adjustments paid off immensely late in this game. The win here will probably weigh heavily for a bid to the FCS playoffs.
Slugging it out to start the second
The two Atlantic Sun teams played to a defensive standstill until late into the third period. Austin Peay started a drive from their 20. Faking a hand-off over tackle, Diliello ran around left end and raced past defenders for a 39-yard TD scamper. The touchdown cut the lead in half, 20-10. The Colonels countered with a 44-yard run by QB Parker McKinney (21 for 36, 213 yards, 1 INT, 1 TD, 116 rushing yards) to the Governor 19. Once again, the APSU defense came up with a big stop to hold and force a 27-yard FG by Nations. However, no good! Austin Peay took over from its 20. They drove to the Eastern Kentucky 41 for a first and ten as the third period came to a close.
Offensive explosion
On the first play of the final period, Diliello (17 for 33 passing, 172 yards, two INTs, one TD; 15 carries, 181 yards, three TDs rushing) dropped back. He burst through a hole for 34 yards to the seven. On the next play he slanted left, barreled over a would-be tackler, and dove into the end zone to cut EKU’s lead, 20-17. The home crowd chanted, “Let’s go Peay!” The players started pushing and shoving more between plays. The atmosphere became “chippy” on the field.
Austin Peay forced EKU to punt from their 40 on its next possession. Kam Thomas returned the punt 46 yards to the Colonel 35. Like a replay of the previous Governor series, in one play, Diliello ran it down to the EKU 8. Next play, he high-tailed it right through the middle for another seven and a 24-20 Austin Peay lead. Chants of “Let’s go Peay!” continued.
Governors in control
APSU forced another EKU punt from the 42 and took over on its ten. Jevon Jackson carried the ball on most downs getting the Govs to the Colonels 30. This time, Diliello struck from there through the air. He connected with WR Drae McCray in the end zone for the 31-20 lead. APSU took control. HC Scotty Walden performed jumping jacks excitedly along the sideline. His team jumped in unison and twirled towels as the kickoff team lined up. EKU’s drive started from their 18. A completion of 10 yards to Jayden Higgins eventually put EKU at the APSU 33. A sack set them back before a 4th and three at the 33 once again. McKinney tried to fire a pass to WR Cornelius Ford near the left pylon. Beautifully, it was knocked down by a diving Demetrius Ford to end the scoring threat.
Three minutes remained. Diliello ran for 15 yards for a first. With 1:52 left, HC Walt Wells of EKU had exhausted all his time-outs. Walden’s team ran the clock out in a well-coached come-from-behind victory. The win looms well for a bid in the six-team ASUN conference. The Austin Peay Governors could be heading for the post-season in the FCS play-offs. We would definitely plan to see them if they play again in Clarksville. Their major obstacle before them stands a date with Alabama in Tuscaloosa on November 19. Of course, that won’t have any bearing on their FCS playoff potential. As for their HC Scotty Walden, success here could propel him to the next level of FBS play eventually. That would be fun to witness.
Next up in Week Five
The 4-1, 1-0 Governors travel next week to play the Central Arkansas Bears (1-3) for their next ASUN clash. EKU (2-2,0-1) returns home to Roy Kidd Stadium in Richmond, KY to take on non-conference Southern Utah Thunderbirds (3-1).
Collegefootballfan.com looks forward to a Friday/Saturday doubleheader next weekend with what looks like two, very competitive games. On Friday night, we go to our first game at Middle Tennessee State’s Red Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro. The Blue Raiders of ConferenceUSA (3-1) come off a major upset over No. 25 Miami on the road, 45-31. They will host UTSA (2-2) in the opening conference battle for both squads. On Saturday, we traipse back to Bowling Green, KY to see MTSU’s archrival, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (3-1), take on the Trojans of Troy (2-2). Troy fell to Appy State in Week Three on a last-play Hail Mary for a TD. On Saturday, they defeated Marshall, 16-7. So good games coming up. On October 15, we will be back at Red Floyd to see the Blue Raiders host the Hilltoppers. Their rivalry known as “100 miles of hate.” Sounds like fun! Can’t wait.
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