Football | October 03, 2022
Quite a streak came to an end on Saturday in Conway, Arkansas. Austin Peay's defense gave up points in the third quarter of a football game for the first time since Oct. 30, 2021 – 337 days, nearly a calendar year.
A seven-yard rushing touchdown by UT Martin's Zak Wallace was the last points the Govs surrendered in the third quarter. Seven days later, they shutout Eastern Illinois in the third quarter. Then they blanked Tennessee State in the third quarter at Nissan Stadium before closing the season by holding Tennessee Tech to zero third-quarter points at Fortera Stadium.
Fast forward 280 days and the Governors are taking on Western Kentucky at L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green. The Hilltoppers led 21-17 at halftime, but the Govs came out after the break and blanked the FBS opponent for the first 17:04 of the second half – the streak continues, that's four-straight third-quarter shutouts.
Then the Austin Peay defense took it to another level, completely shutting out Presbyterian and Mississippi Valley State in back-to-back games to push the streak to six-straight games without allowing a point in the third quarter. The shutout streak came to an end with a first-quarter field goal by Alabama A&M, but that was the only points the Govs surrendered and the third-quarter shutout streak grew to seven games.
The biggest game in the streak came next. Homecoming at Fortera Stadium with the 23rd-ranked Governors hosting No. 16 Eastern Kentucky. The start was less than ideal and the Colonels led 20-3 at halftime. But coming out of the break, the Govs did it again, pitching a third-quarter shutout to take back all the momentum en route to outscoring EKU 28-0 in the second half to win the game 31-20.
Seven days later Central Arkansas exploded for 21 third-quarter points, ending the streak and using what had been the Governors' strength against them to capture all the momentum. The Bears went on to outscore Austin Peay 42-14 in the second half and won the game, 49-20.
The loss also ended Austin Peay's seven-game winning streak against FCS opponents. The last time the Govs lost to an FCS team? When they fell 17-16 to No. 12 UT Martin –
also the last time the Govs gave up points in the third quarter.
So, the FCS winning streak and the third-quarter shutout streak are over… but how about those last nine games? 7-2. Seven and two. There aren't many college football teams out there that would turn down the option to go 7-2 over any nine-game stretch.
Now, there are some streaks that are done because the Govs lost to Central Arkansas, but one loss doesn't define a season. The good news is, the bye week comes at a perfect time after the Govs have played six games in six weeks after starting the season on Week 0. After back-to-back physical and emotionally draining ASUN Conference battles, now there is a chance to regroup and respond against Murray State.
But with it being the bye week and no game to prepare for this Saturday, let's start the week by looking back at some of the stellar performances from the Governors in the last nine games.
We can start as recently as Saturday's game, where Kam Thomas broke the school record for the longest punt return with a 92-yard touchdown at Central Arkansas. It was the first punt return for a touchdown by a Gov since 2011 and broke the record which was set by Terrence Holt against Tennessee State in 2009. Take a look…
Just a week before that, Mike DiLiello led a 17-point second-half comeback – the second-biggest comeback in program history – to win the first-ever ASUN Conference game and pick up a ranked win on Homecoming for the first time since 1981.
And then there was the three-game stretch where the Govs outscored their opponents 132-3 and posted back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1964. Here are highlights from the two shutouts…
We can even kick it back to the end of last season, remember that 2021 season finale? The one where Drae McCray went crazy. If you do, good. If not, let us remind you. McCray had seven catches for 237 yards and four touchdowns. 237 receiving yards, that's the second-most in program history behind only Harold "Red" Roberts 252 yards against Murray State in 1962. Four receiving touchdowns, that ties a record held by Roberts (who did it twice, both against the Racers), Ron Blair, and Baniko Harley. Here's the highlights, jump to the 1:26 mark in the video and you'll The Drae McCray Show come to life…
Before the finale it was a redemption win against Tennessee State. After falling to the Tigers earlier in the season, the Govs went on the road to Nissan Stadium and dominated. Holding TSU off the scoreboard for the first 56:54 of the game and rolling to a 36-7 blowout win.
So, to say the last nine have been pretty memorable might be an understatement. Now, there are five games left in the 2022 season and all of the goals that Scotty Walden and Co. set out to accomplish are still in front of them. So don't take Saturday's loss too hard. Get some rest this weekend and be ready when the Racers come to Fortera Stadium on Oct. 15. The chase is still on.
