COOKEVILLE, Tenn.-Lee Sweeney threw for three touchdown passes to lead Tennessee Tech to a 31-23 defeat of Austin Peay State University, in Ohio Valley Conference action, Saturday night in Tucker Stadium.

The loss was APSU's fourth straight and dropped the Govs to 1-4 on the season, 0-2 in the OVC, while Tennessee Tech improves to 2-2 overall, 1-1 in the OVC.

Sweeney connected with wide receiver Tim Benford on a 46-yard pass with 5:34 left to make it a 31-23 game. The Governors could not respond as they lost for the first time in three games against Tennessee Tech since rejoining the OVC. It also dropped APSU to 0-1 in the 2009 Sergeant York Trophy series game.  

Sweeney finished 21 of 29 passing for 234 yards. It was the fifth time in his career that he threw for three or more single-game TD passes.

His passing efficiency and the Govs penalty proneness helped offset APSU's 378 to 314 advantage in total offense and 31:20 to 28:40 in time of possession. The Governors were nailed with 13 penalties for 138 yards while Tennessee Tech was charged with only four for 45 yards.

After watching Eastern Illinois jump out to a 21-0 lead, the Govs saw Tennessee Tech gain the early advantage from the outset, Saturday. The Golden Eagles came out and dominated the clock, moving 54 yards on 12 plays before settling for a Timothy Donegan 23-yard field goal.

The Governors, however, responded with a drive of their own, going 40 yards on nine play before being half at the Tech 18-yard line. That's where Stephen Stansell nailed a 35-yard field to tie it up. It was the first field goal for the freshman since the opener.

But then Tech took over, using the "Wildcat offense," went 64 yards in seven plays with running back/quarterback Tremain Hudson scoring from four yards out to give the Golden Eagles a 10-3 lead.

APSU came right back and drove to the Tech 29 before being thwarted in their attempt to go for it on a fourth-and-four.

The Golden Eagles then came right back, driving 73 yards on 14 plays as Lee Sweeny found Antonio Robinson for a 21-yard score.

But the Govs back into the game by driving from their own 28 with a methodical 14-play drive. However, the Govs stood on the Tech six-yard line with a fourth-and-one and elected to go for it. This time, the Govs not only converted but got a TD out of it as Orr, on a reverse option, pitched it to Holt, who scampered in for the TD.

The Govs, down by 14, seconds earlier, headed into the intermission down by just seven and knowing they would have the ball to start the second half.

APSU came right of halftime and tied it up, driving 75 yards on 12 plays, with Orr hooking up with freshman Ashlon Adams for a seven-yard score.

But each team then was forced to punt before Tech mounted a drive, going 66 yards on 10 plays, with a pass interference penalty-on a ball that cornerback Tay Robinson was lying on the ground and was tripped over by the Tech receiver. For a second time, Lee Sweeney hooked up with Robinson, this one for 22 yards over Tremayne Townsend for a 24-17 advantage.

The Governors bounced back early in the fourth quarter by driving from its own 45 to deep into Tennessee Tech territory.However, faced with a third-and-16--as a result of a sack and a penalty, Orr's pass to Adrian Mines came up one yard short at the 16 on a third-and-16. Stansell's 33-yard field goal attempt was ruled no good.

The Govs forced another punt on the Golden Eagles' next possession. This time, the Govs did not falter, quickly moving from the Tech 45 to the 10 on four straight runs from Ryan White, who finished with 100 yards on 22 attempts, and Holt. The latter then burst up the middle to score from 10 yards out to cut the deficit to 24-23, However, Tennessee Tech blocked the extra point.

Then moments later Sweeney hooked up with Benford to all but seal the contest.

 APSU Notes

Neither Austin Peay nor Tennessee Tech committed a turnover in the game.

Sophomore Ryan White's 100-yard rushing performance was the fifth time in his career that he finished over the century mark.

Senior quarterback Gary Orr completed 15 of 23 passes for 198 yards.

Orr's one TD hookup came with freshman Ashlon Adams, who caught his first career TD pass, of seven yards.

Freshman safety Jeremy Ross led the Governors with 12 tackles.

Defensive end Chris Newell was credited with his season's second sack, of seven yards.

APSU lost for the second time in a row when outrushing the opponent (180-70). It is only the fifth time during Christophel's career where they lost while outrushing the opponent.