After the first quarter at Mercer, the timeline of Kirby Cannon's Austin Peay State University's football rebuilding plan appeared to be pushed back. Anything and everything that could go wrong did go wrong as the Governors fell behind 28-0, that Saturday two weeks ago in Macon, Ga.

Even though the Governors failed to come back and win that contest, progress was made in the last three quarters, in particular on offense. Confidence on both sides of the football grew as the game progressed, despite the final outcome.

Last Saturday, Austin Peay football finally exorcised two years' worth of demons that saw the Govs lose 18 straight games. The confidence that started to build at Mercer cascaded against Murray State. The defense, which had gone four straight games without creating a turnover, caused five against the Racers. An offense that had scored more points at Mercer (21) than it did in the previously the entire season (19), scored 20 more against the Racers…and the Govs did it with three freshmen leading the way—a total of seven freshmen started on offense against the Racers.

Quarterback Mickey Macius completed 18-of-22 passes for 201 yards and three TDs—all to fellow freshman receiver Jared Beard, who had seven catches for 88 yards. In addition, freshman running back Otis Gerron, who ended with 131 yards on 22 carries, put the game away with a 41-yard with 1:30 left in the game.

But sports has a "what-have-you-done-for-me-lately" mentality. The Governors basically were allowed 24 hours or so to enjoy the victory before preparing for UT Martin. The Govs now will see if they can carry momentum from Saturday's victory and exorcise another demon when they face UT Martin, 2 p.m., Saturday, at Hardy Graham Stadium in Martin. The Governors have not won a road contest since Sept. 18, 2010—spanning 28 games, when they defeated Tennessee State at LP Field.

As young as the Governors is how veteran the Skyhawks are. They start 10 seniors, including five fifth-year seniors, and seven fourth-year juniors. Senior All-America linebacker Tony Bell, who is the program's all-time sacks leader, has 13.5 tackles for loss, while fellow back Devontay Barnett has nine tackles for loss as well this season.   

Offensively, preseason All-America candidate, tackle Charles Sweeton, anchors a front of an improving offense that has seen fourth-year junior Jarod Neal elevate his play at quarterback, completing 120 of 183 (66 percent) of his passes for 14323 yards and 11 TDs. Running back Abou Toure rush for 538 yards and three scores.

This will be the Governors first game n the eighth annual Sgt. York Trophy series, presented by Delta Dental of Tennessee. The Sgt. York Trophy goes to the winner of the quadrangular season series between the four OVC football playing schools located in the state of Tennessee (Austin Peay, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech and UT Martin).  The Governors have failed to win the trophy since its inception.

Conversely, if the Skyhawks win Saturday, it will clinch the Sgt. York trophy for them. They already have defeated both Tennessee Tech and Tennessee State—it would their third Sgt. York Trophy series title.

The contest also will be the first of three straight homecoming games for APSU. In addition, they will be Jacksonville State's homecoming next week before hosting Tennessee State, 3 p.m., Nov. 1.

-AP-