MARTIN, Tenn.-Cade Thompson threw four touchdown passes and in the process became UT Martin's all-time passing leader as the Skyhawks defeated Austin Peay State University, 48-38, in Ohio Valley Conference action, Saturday afternoon.

The contest was the season finale for both teams. The Governors finished 4-7 overall, 3-5 in the OVC. UT Martin ended 5-6 and 4-4 in the OVC.

Austin Peay fell behind 24-0 in the first half, including 21-0 in the first quarter, and could not overcome that deficit.

Thompson, meanwhile, finished 20 of 37 for 378 yards to move past Brady Wahlberg (6,247) as the program's all-time career passing leader. He ended his career with 6,260 yards.

Austin Peay generated little offense in the first half, gaining only 77 yards total offense and just four first downs. The Govs were zero of seven on third-down conversions during the half.

Meanwhile, UT Martin won the opening coin toss and elected to take the football. That ended up an eight-play, 60-yard drive. From there the Skyhawks dominated much of the first half's remainder.

The Govs only offensive surge came after Terrence Holt returned a UT Martin kickoff 57 yards to the Skyhawks' 34. An ensuing facemask penalty put the ball at the UTM 19. One play later Ryan White carried it for the TD.

In the third period, the Govs appeared to get back in it, albeit briefly when Holt scored from 10 yards out to make it a 27-17 game.

On UTM's next possession, APSU forced a punt. The Govs attempted to block the punt but the officials ruled a roughing penalty, resulting in a first down. Thompson ended the drive with a five-yard TD pass to Kenny Jones, making the score 34-17.

UTM forced an interception on the next possession and this time Thompson capped the drive with a 13-yard TD pass to Mike Hicks, his second TD catch of the game.

Despite the significant lead, the Skyhawks and Thompson continued to pass in pursuit of the passing record. That record occurred on UTM's next possession as APSU fell behind 48-17.

The Govs then ended the game by scoring 21 straight points in the final 2:06, one coming on a Gary Orr pass to Scott Thomas; a second coming on Daniel Swenson fumble recovery and 25-yard run and Ryan White rushing one yard with 12.6 seconds left.

White, who led the OVC in rushing, was held to 58 yards on 13 attempts on the day. Still he finished with 1,081 yards, the fifth most single-season yards in APSU history.

Despite UT Martin spending much of the day attempting to keep the football out of Terrence Holt's hands on kickoffs, the versatile junior still finished with 243 yards and seven kickoffs. In addition, the nation's all-purpose yards leader ended with 312 yards to surpass Jay Bailey's previous single-season all-purpose yards record (2002/2,153) with 2,373.

APSU Notes:  Sophomore safety Amius Smith was credited with 10 tackles, including 2.5 (12 yards) for loss. He also had the Govs only sack.

Fellow safety Tremayne Townsend led the Govs with 13 tackles. Townsend also had three pass break ups.

With his second-quarter interception, the Governors cornerback Kevis Buckley finished his career with 14 interceptions, leaving him in third place behind Kirk Pointer (16/1992-95) and Jimmy Hardie (15/1967-70).  His 25-yard return left with sixth all-time in that category with 149 yards.

Freshman quarterback Jake Ryan was forced to leave the game in the fourth quarter after taking a hit from UTM linebacker Josh Bey. Orr, a senior, finished the contest at quarterback.

-AP-