9:50 AM | Tennessee Room, Embassy Suites Nashville Airport
To quote the late, great, John Ward, it's football time in Tennessee! The 2018 season is right around the corner, and for Austin Peay State University it kicks off at Ohio Valley Conference Media Days in Nashville. The Govs, one of college football's best stories a year ago, are underdogs no more and are one of the favorites to end Jacksonville State's reign at the top of the OVC.
In addition to head coach and 2018 Eddie Robinson National FCS Coach of the Year Will Healy, All-American defensive end Jaison Williams and All-OVC tackle Kyle Anderton will be in town to meet with media and preview the upcoming season. We'll have updates throughout the day from Nashville as the coaches poll and All-OVC teams are released!
10:05 AM | Lobby
The Govs are on the ground. Anderton and Williams, decked out in the iconic red blazers, have arrived alongside Director of Video Taylor Wiseman and football SID Stefan Nolet. The schedule for the day is as follows:
- OVC Digital Network Live player interview: 10:25 a.m.
- Taped player interviews: 10:55 a.m.
- OVC Digital Network Live coach interview: 11:30 a.m.
- TV stand-up interviews: 12:45 p.m.
- Taped coach interviews: 1:15 p.m.
- 1-on-1 interviews with local reporters: 1:25 p.m.
You can also find Jaison and Kyle answering questions over on Instagram @letsgopeay. Ask away, those guys are an open book.
10:30 AM | Tennessee Room
Live on the OVCDN, Jaison Williams talks Austin Peay football.
Williams, an All-American a year ago, absolutely terrorized opposing backfields. It's a large part of why he's preseason All-American this year, a preseason All-OVC pick and has a chance to reprise his candidacy for the Buck Buchanan Award again this year.
Bob Belvin, the voice of OVC football on ESPN3, asks Williams about the pressure.
"We've got a dynamic offense and an attacking defense. I don't feel too much pressure, I just do my job."
10:50 AM | Arkansas Room
Jaison and Kyle sit down for stock footage pieces with the OVC. They answer questions about the season, sportsmanship, quality of competition and missing out on last year's postseason. Brian Pulley, the interviewer for the league, stops short of calling it a snub but we know what he means.
Both reference working security at CMA Fest over the summer as a team-building activity that they think brought everybody closer together. Kyle talks about the spirit of competition and everyone competing for the same thing. I snap photos. Taylor takes some video. The producer yells at his PA. Interim AD and SWA Lisa Varytimidis--in town for the AD's meetings--sits in on this session. The guys are on their best behavior with the Boss in the room.
11:15 AM | Tennessee Room
Will Healy is in the house! The big man sits down with Greg Pogue and 560 WNSR, hangs out with Bob Belvin over at the live OVCDN shot and basically works the room like a politician, shaking hands and slapping backs. After he's done winning titles, he'll probably be Governor (THE Governor, not a Governor) one day.
With a break coming, Kyle is ready to find food. "Black is slimming," he says, referencing his choice of black shirt and silver tie.
12:00 PM | Tennessee Room
The poll and preseason all-conference teams are out. Commissioner Beth DeBauche has addressed the assembled media. Austin Peay is picked second, with Anderton, Williams, sophomore quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall, senior linebacker Gunnar Scholato and senior guard Ryan Rockenseuss named to the preseason team. After the best season Austin Peay has enjoyed in a good many years, the expectations are high.
During this time, the players and staff eat. Healy chats with media members and various Austin Peay dignitaries in town for league meetings. If there's pressure after an 8-4 season, you wouldn't know it from watching Healy. He's confident. He has every right to be, too.
12:45 PM | Tennessee Room
TV stand-up time. Jaison, Kyle and Will Healy are up in front of the assembled Nashville media. Being picked second in the preseason poll brings a lot of interest, especially after last season's miracle run.
Jaison, on the snub last season: "I think we'll take it with us into this season, not just as learning from the past but motivation for the future."
Kyle, on his transition last year from the SEC to the OVC and from tight end to tackle: "Everything is a little different, but I had great coaches and I still have great coaches. I'm still just lining up and trying to beat the man across from me."
Healy, on opening up against Georgia: "These guys have played five FBS schools in two years. These kids have been in FBS environments. They haven't been in front of 100,000 people against the second-ranked team in the country, so this will be a different experience for all of us."
2:00 PM | Tennessee Room
The last stop of the day is the one-on-one interviews with print media. Jimmy Trodglen (TNSports360.com), Scott Chase of ESPN Clarksville, Mike Organ of the Tennesseean and others make their way to the table. Everyone wants a piece of the biggest story in college football a year ago.
As we finish the day, the guys offer some perspectives on the coming season.
Kyle, on the run game: "We're just going to try to score touchdowns. If we have to passblock, we'll do it. If we have to run the ball down your throat, we'll do it."
Healy, on Anderton: "I feel like he works every day and is a great example of how we want guys to handle their business. He's embraced the culture and it feels like he's been there since Day One."
The All-American gets the final say on the day. There are expectations after last season now. There's a target on Austin Peay's back. Did the attention Media Day serve to drive that point home?
"We're setting our own expectations and have to live up them," Williams said. "I'm glad we got recognized for the things we were able to do last year, but we have to follow through on it again this year."
