Legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi is remembered almost as much for his motivational sayings as he is for the victories and championships he brought to Titletown.
One of those motivational quotes – or the many adaptations that have come since – will be on the forefront of the Austin Peay State University football team's mind heading into practice this week: "It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up."
On a dreary day in Martin, Tennessee, as rain steadily poured onto the field, the Governors locked into a first-half defensive struggle with UT Martin. Cornerback Erskine Francis ended the Skyhawks' first drive with his first-career interception to stop the drive in the red zone.
Cornerback Trent Taylor helped preserve the Govs' halftime lead with his first interception of the season and second of his career. In addition to the two interceptions, the defensive unit held the Ohio Valley Conference's leading passer – Dresser Winn – to 75 yards less than his season average.
Despite the 7-6 halftime edge, the Govs struggled to find momentum in the second half. UT Martin may have opened conference play with a victory and the first result in the Sgt. York Series, but for the Governors, it will be about how they respond this week and the rest of the season.
"We came out pretty strong," Taylor said. "We have to get back to the drawing board. This humbled us: we probably needed this, but we'll get back to the drawing board, come together and we'll be fine."
When looking at the Govs' schedule, one could see how critical of a stretch they find themselves in: a three-game road trip with two consecutive OVC games against the teams picked to finish third and first in the conference, respectively, in the preseason.
Up next for Austin Peay is a game against Jacksonville State – a team that has dominated the OVC, winning 33 straight conference games and the past four league titles.
Quarterback JaVaughn Craig knows how the team responds after Saturday will be critical as it travels to JSU.
"Just staying together, staying focused knowing we have a long-term goal and not a short-term goal," Craig said, when asked about how the team will regroup and move forward. "We play Jacksonville State this week, so you can't dwell on (the UT Martin) game. We've got another big game coming up next week, and if we're not ready to play, we'll get smacked in the mouth. So we've got to put this one behind us, and get back ready to work and prepare for Jacksonville State."
The Governors find themselves in a position they haven't been in a while: the hunted. They were picked to finish second in the OVC preseason, so head coach Will Healy knows his team won't be sneaking up on anyone in 2018.
"We have to be ready to play each and every week: we're going to get everybody's best shot," Healy said. "I know next week will be no different. I know (Jacksonville State) will be hungry, and it's a tough place to play. We don't have any time to sit here and moan about what happened (Saturday): we have to move forward."
Those last few lines – "we have to move forward" – rings a familiar tone to Lombardi's quote about getting up after being knocked down.
Some folks might complain about having to face the reigning conference champion on the road after suffering a setback to an in-state rival. But what an opportunity the Governors have to rebound and make a statement next Saturday.
"I hope they understand how far we have to go, and I hope they respond on Monday with a sense of urgency," Healy said. "We're going to push them as coaches, and I hope they respond the right way. We've got good leadership. I think this will be a tough week for all of us, and that leadership really has to show up.
"I think our guys understand how talented this football team is we're playing, but yet I hope they also understand how talented our football team is and that score (Saturday) is not in any way indicative of how good of a football team we are."
