CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Add another United Athletic Conference victory to the tally for Austin Peay State University's football team after landing a league-leading and program-record 17 First or Second Team All-UAC honors, Friday.

Austin Peay had a program-record 10 First Team All-UAC selections, led by quarterback Mike DiLiello, who earned UAC Offensive Player of the Year honors. Running back Jevon Jackson and wide receiver Trey Goodman also picked up first-team nods. The Govs also took home half of the first-team offensive line spots with Chandler Kirton and Isaiah Wright earning recognition and Jalen Armstrong being named the first-team center.

On the defensive side, the Govs had a trio of First Team All-UAC selections with linebackers Sam Howard and Tyler Long, while Jevon McIver Jr. was a first-team selection at defensive back. Finally, return specialist Kam Thomas earned first-team honors on special teams.

In addition, seven Governors earned Second Team All-UAC recognitions with wide receiver Trey Goodman and tight end Jordan Goco on the offensive group. Hosea Knifeley Jr. was a second-team honoree on the defensive line while defensive backs Kory Chapman and Cedarius Doss also were second-team selections. Finally, kicker Maddux Trujillo and long snapper Ethan Myers were second team picks on special teams.

Austin Peay's 17 total All-UAC selections were the most in the conference and eight more than any other team in the league. The Govs 17 total selections also were one more than the combined total of Tarleton State (9) and Central Arkansas (7), who had the second and third most all-conference honorees.

The Governors 10 First Team All-UAC selections also led the league and were five more than any other team in the league. The Govs 10 first-team selections were one more than the combined total of Eastern Kentucky (5) and Tarleton State (4), who had the second and third most first-team honorees, while also equaling the combined total of the other six teams in the conference.

Austin Peay's 17 total All-UAC selections tops the 2021 Governors' 14 All-Ohio Valley Conference selections for most in program history. The Govs' 10 First Team All-UAC honorees also top the program record of seven first-team selections, which was held by the 1965, 2019, and 2021 teams.

First Team All-United Athletic Conference

Jalen Armstrong

Jalen Armstrong started all 12 games for the Governors in 2023 with 11 starts at center and one at left tackle. Austin Peay's primary center last season, Armstrong showed his versatility in Week 2 when injuries on the offensive line forced him to kick outside and start at left tackle against No. 9 Tennessee in Neyland Stadium.

Armstrong allowed just one quarterback hit and three sacks on 197 pass protection snaps last season. He also graded out at a 97.6 pass protection efficiency per PFF during the 2023 campaign.

Mike DiLiello

The UAC Offensive Player of the Year, Mike DiLiello led one of the top offenses in the FCS and is the first Austin Peay quarterback to be named the conference offensive player of the year since Sonny Defilippis in 1980.

With DiLiello leading the offense, Austin Peay ranked ninth in the country and led the conference in scoring offense (34.1 ppg). The Govs also ranked 13th among FCS teams in passing offense (274.1) and 15th in total offense (426.8) – they ranked second in the UAC in both of those categories while also setting the APSU record in both.

DiLiello ranks second in the FCS in passing yards (3,164), third in passing touchdowns (28), seventh in passing efficiency (160.3), 10th in yards per pass attempt (8.74), 12th in completion percentage (.669), 22nd in completions per game (20.17), and 24th in passing yards per completion (13.07) – he led the UAC in all seven categories. He also ranked 12th in the FCS and second in the conference with 263.7 passing yards per game.

With 198 points responsible for and 16.5 points responsible for per game, DiLiello ranked fourth and fifth in the FCS, respectively, while leading the UAC in both stats. He also averaged 280.6 yards per total offense per game, which was good for 11th in the FCS and second in the UAC.

On the ground, DiLiello totaled five rushing touchdowns, which was tied for seventh in the UAC and led all quarterbacks in the conference.

He finished the 2023 season with the Austin Peay single-season records for passing touchdowns, completion percentage, passing efficiency, passing yards per game, and total offense per game.

Trey Goodman

Trey Goodman ranked 23rd in the FCS, was tied for fourth in the UAC, and led Austin Peay with seven receiving touchdowns during the 2023 season. Goodman also finished the season ranked 42nd in the FCS and sixth in the conference with 721 receiving yards, he was one of just three players in the UAC with 700-plus receiving yards and seven or more receiving touchdowns this season. 

Goodman averaged 21.21 yards per catch this season, which ranks sixth in the FCS and second in the UAC. He also recorded the longest reception in the UAC and the 13th longest in the FCS this season with an 87-yard touchdown catch against North Alabama. 

Goodman was one of just two players in the UAC to record a passing touchdown and a receiving touchdown this season; however, he is the only player in the conference to throw and catch a touchdown in the same game. He threw a 54-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter before catching a walk-off, game-winning touchdown in double overtime at Southern Utah.

Goodman posted a pair of 100-yard receiving performances – tied for the sixth-most in the UAC – with 101 yards against Gardner-Webb and 129 yards against North Alabama.

Goodman did much of his work in UAC games, ranking second in yards per catch (23.1), third in receiving touchdowns (4), and ninth in receiving yards (392) in conference action. 

Jevon Jackson

Jevon Jackson led the United Athletic Conference in carries (252), rushing yards (1,373), and rushing yards per game (114.4) in 2023. Jackson had 69 more carries and 223 more rushing yards than any other player in the UAC while averaging 9.9 more yards per game than the rest of the conference. Even with 69 more carries than any other player in the league, Jackson still ranked ninth in the UAC and 36th in the FCS with 5.45 yards per carry.

Jackson ranked second in the FCS in carries, fourth in rushing yards, and sixth in rushing yards per game. Jackson also rushed for 10 touchdowns – one of three UAC players with double-digit rushing TDs – which ranked 38th in the FCS and second in the conference. He also had one receiving touchdown and ranked 26th in the FCS and third in the UAC with 11 total touchdowns in 2023.

Jackson shared carries with CJ Evans Jr. in the first three games of the season, but after Evans Jr. suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3, Jackson rushed for 100-plus yards in seven of the final nine games of the season. Jackson's seven 100-yard rushing performances were three more than any other player in the UAC.

Jackson also topped the 150-yard mark five times, including 197 yards against Stephen F. Austin, 192 yards against Utah Tech, and 184 yards against Chattanooga. Jackson recorded a career-long 57-yard touchdown run in the game against Chattanooga.

He also had three multi-touchdown games with two rushing touchdowns against Lindenwood, Southern Utah, and Chattanooga.

With 1,373 rushing yards in 2023, Jackson became Austin Peay's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2011 and posted the third-best single-season rushing total in program history. His 10 rushing touchdowns also are tied for the eighth-best season in APSU history. His 114.4 rushing yards per game are the fourth-best season in APSU history.

Chandler Kirton

A 2022 HERO Sports Freshman All-American and Preseason All-UAC selection, Chandler Kirton started all 12 games for Austin Peay in 2023 with 11 starts at right guard and one start at center.

Primarily Austin Peay's right guard, Kirton showed his versatility in Week 2 when injuries on the offensive line forced him to make his first-ever start at center against No. 9 Tennessee in Neyland Stadium.

Kirton allowed zero quarterback hits and just one sack on 197 pass protection snaps this season. He also graded out at a 98.6 pass protection efficiency per PFF during the 2023 season.

Isaiah Wright

Isaiah Wright started all 11 games he played in at left tackle for Austin Peay during the 2023 season.

Wright allowed just two sacks and two quarterback hits on 196 pass protection snaps last season. He also graded out at a 97.6 pass protection efficiency per PFF during the 2023 season.

Sam Howard

One of two players in the UAC with 100-plus tackles and double-digit tackles for loss in 2023, Sam Howard ranked 35th in the FCS and third in the UAC with 8.8 tackles per game. Howard also ranks 23rd in the FCS, third in the UAC, and second on APSU with 105 total tackles last season.

Howard ranked 60th in the FCS and fourth in the UAC with 1.0 tackles for loss per game last season. He also ranked third in the UAC and led Austin Peay with 12.0 total tackles for loss, he recorded a TFL in nine of 12 games played last season, including a career-best 2.0 tackles for loss against North Alabama.

Howard also led Austin Peay with five double-digit tackle games in 2023 with a career-best 13 tackles at No. 9 Tennessee and against Central Arkansas. His 13-tackle outings are tied for the 13th-best single-game totals in the UAC last season.

In addition, Howard added one sack, three passes defended, and a fumble recovery.

Tyler Long

Tyler Long ranked 26th in the FCS and second in the UAC with 9.1 tackles per game during the 2023 season. Long also ranked 15th in the FCS, second in the UAC, and led Austin Peay with 109 total tackles last season.

Long recorded 17 tackles in games against Southern Illinois and Southern Utah, those marks are tied for the 17th-best single-game totals in the FCS and the third-best single-game marks in the UAC. Long finished the season with four double-digit tackle performances, which was the second-most by an APSU player in 2023.

Long also posted 15 solo tackles in his 17-tackle outing against Southern Utah, which was the most solo tackles recorded in a single game in the FCS this season. Long led APSU and ranked seventh in the UAC with 43 solo tackles during the 2023 season.

In addition, Long recorded an interception, 1.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, seven quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble last season.

Jevon McIver Jr.

Jevon McIver Jr. ranks 12th in the FCS and led the UAC with 13 total passes defended during the 2023 season. He also ranks 23rd in the FCS and fourth in the UAC with 1.1 passes defended per game, while also ranking 10th in the FCS and leading the UAC with 12 total pass breakups last season.

McIver Jr. had multiple pass breakups in three games, including a career-best three PBUs in Austin Peay's win over Central Arkansas. He also posted a career-best 11 tackles – with eight solo stops – and a forced fumble against Stephen F. Austin.

McIver Jr. recorded 61 tackles – with 39 solo stops – to go along with a tackle for loss, an interception, and a forced fumble from the cornerback position.

Kam Thomas

Kam Thomas led the FCS in punt return average (22.2 yards) and punt return touchdowns (2) during the 2023 season. His 89-yard punt return touchdown against ETSU and 82-yard return against Southern Utah were the second and seventh-longest returns in the FCS this season. The 89 and 82-yard punt return touchdowns are the second and third-longest returns in APSU history, behind only his 92-yard punt return TD from the 2022 season.

Thomas led the UAC and ranked seventh in the FCS with 267 total punt return yards, despite only having 12 punt return attempts. Thomas also ranked 17th in the FCS and led the UAC in combined kick return yards (563), despite only having 26 total return attempts during the 2023 season. In addition, he ranked 52nd in the FCS and fourth in the UAC in kickoff return average (21.1).

Thomas also totaled 123 combined punt return yards in the ETSU game, which was the third-best mark in the FCS last season and is the APSU single-game record.

He finished the season ranked 11th in the FCS and second in the UAC with 127.0 all-purpose yards per game.

Second Team All-United Athletic Conference

Jordan Goco

A Preseason All-UAC selection at tight end, Jordan Goco recorded 10 receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns during the 2023 season.

Goco had a season-best three receptions against Southern Illinois and had a season-high 31 receiving yards on just one catch at Lindenwood. Goco was a threat in the red zone with a five-yard touchdown reception against ETSU (and a four-yard touchdown grab against North Alabama.

Per PFF, Goco graded out with an 88.0 receiver rating and a 77.1 run-blocking grade during the 2023 campaign.

Tre Shackelford

Tre Shackelford ranked 29th in the FCS, third in the UAC, and led Austin Peay with 799 receiving yards during the 2023 season. He ranked 44th in the FCS and fifth in the UAC with 66.6 receiving yards per game while ranking eighth in the conference and leading APSU with 52 receptions. 

Shackelford also caught six touchdowns, which ranks 41st in the FCS and seventh in the UAC. He was one of two players in the conference with 775-plus receiving yards and six or more touchdown receptions. Shackelford also had a 69-yard touchdown reception against North Alabama, which is the fifth-longest touchdown catch in the UAC in 2023. 

Of the 10 players in the UAC that had 50 or more receptions this season, Shackelford led the group by averaging 15.4 yards per reception this season. 

Shackelford was tied for second in the UAC and led APSU with three 100-yard receiving games with 126 yards against Gardner-Webb (10/14), 123 yards at Southern Utah (10/21), and 125 yards against Utah Tech (11/11). 

Shackelford was just as productive in conference games, ranking eighth in the league in receiving yards (402), third in touchdowns (4), and fourth in yards per catch (18.3) during UAC action.

Kory Chapman

A Preseason All-UAC selection at defensive back, Kory Chapman did it all for Austin Peay on defense with 73 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, half a sack, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and 3 quarterback hurries. Of Chapman's 73 tackles, 37 were solo stops.

Chapman ranked 16th in the UAC in total tackles and ranked 17th in the league in solo tackles. He totaled a season-best 10 tackles against Eastern Kentucky, with nine tackles being solo stops.

Chapman ranked fifth in the UAC and second on Austin Peay with two interceptions, highlighted by a 26-yard pick-six against Gardner-Webb (10/14). Chapman also recorded a career-best 2.0 tackles for loss in the win against Gardner-Webb.

Cedarius Doss

Cedarius Doss ranked 27th in the FCS and second in the UAC with three interceptions during the 2023 season, that mark also led Austin Peay. Doss ranked fifth in the UAC with 10 total passes defended and ranked 14th in the league with seven pass breakups.

Doss had two interceptions against Stephen F. Austin and was one of 57 players in the FCS with a multi-interception game last season, however, he was one of just eight players with a multiple-interception game that included a pick-six.

Doss totaled 35 tackles – including 22 solo stops – to go along with 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble from the cornerback position, he also blocked a field goal against Chattanooga.

Hosea Knifeley Jr.

Hosea Knifeley Jr. recorded 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, five pass breakups, seven quarterback hurries, and a forced fumble from his defensive end position during the 2023 season.

Knifeley Jr. led Austin Peay and ranked ninth in the United Athletic Conference with 4.0 sacks, he also ranked second on APSU and 15th in the conference with 7.5 tackles for loss. He also led all Austin Peay defensive linemen with 52 tackles last season.

He posted a career-high 2.0 sacks – with a strip sack – against Lindenwood and totaled career-highs of 12 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss – with one sack – against Southern Utah.

Maddux Trujillo

Maddux Trujillo ranked 17th in the FCS and third in the UAC with 87 total points scored during the 2023 season, he also ranked eighth in the FCS and second in the league among just kickers in total scoring. Trujillo ranked 21st in the FCS and sixth in the UAC with 7.3 points per game, that mark was good for ninth in the FCS among only kickers and fourth in the conference. He also led the UAC with 48 made PATs.

Trujillo ranked 22nd in the FCS and fifth in the UAC with 13 total field goals made during the 2023 season while ranking second in the conference and seventh in the FCS with an 86.7 field goal percentage – a mark that set the APSU single-season record. He also ranked 22nd in the FCS and fourth in the conference with 1.18 field goals per game last season.

In UAC games, Trujillo was 7-for-8 on field goals with his only miss coming on a blocked 51-yard attempt.

Ethan Myers

Ethan Myers served as Austin Peay's primary long snapper on punts, field goals, and PATs in all 12 games this season.

Myers caught a pass for a two-point conversion in Governors' win against North Alabama. He also recorded a tackle in Austin Peay's FCS Playoff game against Chattanooga.