Football | October 14, 2017

GOVS-TIGERS POSTGAME NOTES

FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK JEREMIAH OATSVALL 

SENIOR DEFENSIVE BACK MALIK BOYNTON

FROM THE TOP

• Austin Peay improved to 3-1 in Ohio Valley Conference play, its best start in league play since the 1977 OVC Championship season.
• The Governors won a game they trailed in the second half for the first time this season and for the first time since 2014.
• Austin Peay won its second-ever contest against Tennessee State in Nashville. Both victories have occurred at what is now Nissan Stadium (Govs won 26-23 in 2010 when it was LP Field).
• It was the Governors second consecutive road win, their first back-to-back road victories since 2007.
• Jaison Williams had two sacks, including one on the game's final play, and now has 8.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in his four OVC outings.

CAPTAINS/COIN TOSS

• For the sixth consecutive game, nickelback Malik Boynton and quarterback JaVaughn Craig were the captains.
• Austin Peay won the toss and deferred until the second half.
• The Governors are 3-4 on coin tosses this season.

SERIES UPDATE

• Austin Peay won its second-ever contest against Tennessee State in Nashville. Both victories have occurred at what is now Nissan Stadium (Govs won 26-23 in 2010 when it was LP Field).
• Saturday's meeting was the 20th all time between Austin Peay and Tennessee State.

LINEUP                                                 

• The Govs starting offensive lineup saw a couple of changes with Kyle Anderton returning to the starting lineup at left tackle while Trey Pruitt made his first start at tight end.
• The defense saw changes for a seventh-straight game as James Bond made the start at strong safety and Trent Taylor started at cornerback.

OFFENSIVE SPARKS

• Oatsvall's 34-yard run to set the Govs up with 1st-and-Goal on their final drive was his longest run this season.
• Ahmaad Tanner gave the Govs a 21-17 lead in the fourth quarter with his second touchdown run this season.
• Governors first first down of the game came with a "Double Stuffed" formation featuring 10 offensive linemen, Ahmaad Tanner ran for the first down behind that group.
• Prince Momodu scored on the Govs opening drive of the second half, his second rushing touchdown this season.
• Running back Kentel Williams converted the Govs defensive stand into a touchdown with his first rushing touchdown of the season and third overall.
• Baniko Harley attempted his first pass this season in the second quarter as part of a wildcat formation.
• Wide receiver Gorel Soumare had three catches in the first half, breaking his season high for receptions. They were his first catches since the Morehead State contest in Week 3.
• Austin Peay was 2-for-2 on red-zone opportunities.
• Austin Peay scored for the 33rd consecutive game.
• It was the second straight game won by the Governors despite being outgained in total yards (264 for Austin Peay, 314 for Tennessee State).

DEFENSIVE STANDS                                              

• After surrendering the lead, Austin Peay's defense held Tennessee State to 4 yards on 14 plays over its final three drives. That included consecutive three-and-outs for negative yardage following the lead change.
• On TSU's opening drive, defensive end Jaison Williams picked up a critical strip-sack, recovered by Nate Howard and returned 17 yards to set up the Govs offense inside the TSU red zone.
• Williams has recorded a strip-sack in three consecutive games.
• Nickleback Malik Boynton tied his season high for tackles in the first half alone (5, 4 solo) and he forced a fumble (3rd this season).
• The Govs were credited with seven tackles for loss (third most this season) and four sacks (tied season high set against Miami).
• Linebacker Gunnar Scholato led the Govs with eight tackles, including a season-best 2.5 tackles for loss.

SPECIAL TEAMS                                                    

• After a penalty prior to the second half kickoff, Kyran Moore broke off a 34-yard kickoff return, the longest by a Governor this season.
• Moore also had 54 yards on his two punt returns, breaking of a 15-yard return that was the longest of the season until his 35-yard return late in the fourth quarter that set up the game-winning drive. Entering the night, the Govs had 15 yards in punt returns this season.
• Moore finished 132 total kick return yards, the best outing by the Govs kick return game this season.
• Punter Devin Stuart followed his OVC season-best outing against Jacksonville State with a second-straight 40-yard per punt night, averaging 40.8 yards on four punts against Tennessee State. That included two downed inside the 20-yard line.