Clarksville, Tenn. – The Austin Peay State University football team completed its 2018 spring session with the annual spring game, Saturday, at Fortera Stadium.
"I thought the back and forth was really good, which is what you want to see during a spring game," said head coach Will Healy.
The Govs ran through 14 series and 85 plays during their time on the turf. Freshman quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall and sophomore QB JaVaughn Craig split time under center in the offense vs. defense style scrimmage.
Oatsvall, the reigning OVC Freshman of the Year and a Hero Sports Freshman All-American, connected on 13 of his 22 passes for 155 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown on the game's second play. He led scoring drives on three of his nine series in action.
The scrimmage opened with a quick hitter for a score when Oatsvall connected with Gorel Soumare for 78 yards.
The defense got the best of the offense in drive number two when Trent Taylor, who was active in the Govs secondary all day, broke up a pass on third down. The Govs offense answered on the ensuing series with an 8-play, 65-yard drive capped off by an Ahmaad Tanner two-yard touchdown plunge. Tre Nation brought the crowd to its feet in Fortera with a dazzling 20-yard run dragging defenders the final five yards on the drive.
The next three possessions belong to the Govs defense highlight by an interception that abruptly ended the fourth drive of the game. Drive seven ended in a field goal and was highlighted by a 19-yard Tanner run and an Oatsvall to De'Angelo Wilson connection for 15 yards.
Series eight saw another drive end in points for the offense after former quarterback turned wide out Baniko Harley caught a 28-yard pass followed by a 16-yard run. Nation ended the drive with a short yardage touchdown.
That was the final scoring drive for the offense on the day as the Govs defense clamped down. Chris Hopkins had a big sack to end the ninth series and set the tone for the end of the session.
"I thought we had some guys offensively that made some plays early," Healy said. "I thought our defense responded very well. We created some turnovers and had some guys show up in some big time spots."
The Govs will kickoff the 2018 season the road at Georgia on Saturday, September 1 before returning to Clarksville for the home opener on Saturday, September 8 against Presbyterian. All told, the Govs will play five games in the friendly confines of Fortera Stadium in 2018.
Fans interested in 2018 football season tickets can fill out the 2018 season ticket interest form today.
