With the 2021 football season now upon us, here's a quick look at the football headlines and notes the staff at LetsGoPeay.com is following during the preseason…
ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER ALL-AMERICAN
Another FCS Football publication released their Preseason All-American Team and to the surprise of absolutely nobody, Kordell Jackson was named a First Team All-American by HERO Sports. We could list all of Jackson's accolades again, but if you don't know all about him by now, well then, you've got some catching up to do.
TOP 20
With the season fast approaching, more preseason polls have been announced and the Governors come in at No. 20 in the STATS FCS Preseason Top 25 rankings. Austin Peay is the only Ohio Valley Conference squad ranked in the STATS poll, with Murray State being the first team outside of the top 25. The Govs season-opening opponent Chattanooga also came in at No. 18 in the rankings, setting up a top-20 battle in the Scenic City on Sept. 2.
31 DAYS AND COUNTING
Opening Day of the 2021 Governors Football season is approaching quickly. Austin Peay begins the season with a 6:30 p.m. (CT), Thursday, Sept. 2 game against Chattanooga – the first meeting between teams on opposite ends of Interstate 24 since 2014. The season opener was listed as one of the FCS' Top 10 Nonconference games by HEROSports.com, so get your popcorn ready!
Got Your Tickets Yet?
The August 15 deadline to purchase season tickets for the upcoming fall slate is rapidly approaching. While season tickets provide a discount over the single-game ticket price, there are plenty of other benefits to being a season-ticket holder, including priority access to home playoff tickets.
Govs Sweep Preseason Awards, Picked Second in Preseason Poll
It's a dichotomy peculiar to preseason awards and polls where a team can sweep both Preseason Player of the Year Awards but that team is not the league's preseason favorite. Austin Peay's Kordell Jackson and Draylen Ellis swept the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Player of the Year Awards – Jackson getting the preseason nod for a second straight year. However, the Govs were picked to finish tied for second in the league race behind preseason favorite Murray State and tied with Southeast Missouri – both teams APSU defeated last season.
Early Preseason Recognition Rolling In
Following its 4-2 Ohio Valley Conference campaign in the spring, Austin Peay still has the attention of the national FCS media contingent. In June, Athlon Sports Magazine ranked the Govs No. 23 in its Preseason FCS Top 25 ranking. Thursday, HEROSports.com bumped the Govs up to No. 18 in its preseason ranking. Using the later as a guide, Austin Peay will square off against Top 25 foes in Murray State (No. 22) and Chattanooga (No. 20) this season. STATS Perform announces its preseason poll August 9.
KJ13 Grabbing Attention
Kordell Jackson's return also has eyes focused on Austin Peay in the preseason. Stats Perform named the two-time Consensus FCS All-American to its Preseason All-American List. He also was tabbed as the Player to Watch in the Ohio Valley Conference by Craig Haley on TheAnalyst.com, in July. With 11 interceptions, 31 passes defended, 26.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks during his career, opposing offenses definitely seeheros No. 13 as unlucky when they see it.
Jack McDonald… A Scholar and a Gentleman
Besides being the Govs leading tackler the past two seasons, linebacker Jack McDonald also is well-accomplished off the field. In June, he was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District Teams. Then in July, the American Football Coaches Association listed him as a nominee for its 2021 AFCA Allstate Good Works Team.
Seven-and-a-half?
HEROSports.com put forth its preseason prognostication on regular-season win totals for each of the FCS' 128 teams. They put the Govs at 7½ wins this season. We believe that's a good starting point.
Game Times
Game times for all 11 Austin Peay football games are available by visiting the football schedule on the official athletics website (hint: you're already there). You can also download the schedule to your favorite calendar app so you don't miss a moment of what promises to be an exciting season.
ESPN+ All Season
As of July 1, all 11 Austin Peay football games will be available on ESPN+ in 2021 so now is the time to purchase or renew your ESPN+ subscription so you can follow the Govs all season long.
100 percent
Just a reminder we are planning to have all Governors fans back in the stands this season. The athletics department announced a return to full capacity for the upcoming 2021-22 season in June. So make plans to join us at Fortera Stadium this fall by purchasing season tickets when they go on sale next week!
