Austin Peay State University's football team will need to be "Gov Strong" when it plays host to Tennessee State, 4 p.m., Saturday, in Governors Stadium.

It will be a "Gov Strong Homecoming" as APSU not only celebrates its homecoming but Military Appreciation Day as well. APSU has combined its homecoming parade with the annual Veterans Day one. Brigadier General Mark Stammer, deputy commander of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) will be the parade's Grand Marshal but APSU's own Harold "Red" Roberts, a former football star (1967-70) and College Football Hall of Fame nominee who earned a Bronze Star after being called to active duty in Operation Enduring Freedom IV, will be the honorary Grand Marshal in APSU's 70^th homecoming game.

The Governors, meanwhile, will attempt to marshal enough of its own troops on the defensive side against a Tennessee State team, despite a five-game losing streak, rediscovered its offense last week in a 56-42 loss at home to Eastern Kentucky. TSU finished with 431 yards total offense with 326 via the air.

That's not good news for a secondary that in recent weeks lost two players to injury—safeties Johnathan Shuler and Jalen Miller. But they are not the only secondary members battling maladies.  Lucky for the Govs senior Buddy Mitchell was able to shift from cornerback to safety with aplomb—he had a career-best 13 tackles at Jacksonville State last week—while Roderick Owens, who has three interceptions as the dime back, has been able to move into Mitchell's corner spot. In addition, freshman David Wall stepped at Miller's spot and had seven stops.

Quarterback Michael German, who has given APSU fits since his freshman season, has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards and 12 TDs in eight games this season. The offensive line has not allowed a sack for 2 ½ games.

Offense continues to be a problem for the Governors, who were limited to just 144 yards against Jacksonville State. They will be facing a TSU defense that permitted 56 points and 336 yards to Eastern Kentucky. However, the Tigers have the reigning OVC Defensive Player of the Year in defensive end Anthony Bass along with two other potential All-America candidates, linebacker Nick Thrasher and strong safety Daniel Fitzpatrick. Thrasher had 109 tackles this season while Fitzpatrick has 53. Bass had 10.5 tackles for loss, including six quarterback sacks.

With Mickey Macius nursing a thumb injury APSU will turn to fellow freshman Darrien Boone at quarterback, with junior Trey Taylor also sharing the snaps. The Govs are hopeful running back Otis Gerron, who was injury on the second scrimmage play at UTM, will return from his concussion.     

For their part to honor the military and Ft. Campbell, the Governors will sport camouflage uniforms during the homecoming tilt, with the nicknames of the respective units residing at Ft. Campbell.

-AP-