GOVS-SALUKIS POSTGAME NOTES

Notes following Austin Peay's 49-23 loss against Southern Illinois in the 2023 season opener at Saluki Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois. 

FROM THE TOP

• Tyler Long had 17 tackles in his Austin Peay debut, the most by a Governor since Gunnar Scholato made 17 tackles against Tennessee State (10/6/18).
• Kam Thomas and Kenny Odom each caught their first collegiate touchdowns in the fourth quarter with Thomas scoring from 41 yards out and Odom making a 44-yard scoring grab.

CAPTAINS/COIN TOSS

• Captains Mike DiLiello, Cedarius Doss, Sam Howard, and Kam Thomas took the coin toss for the Governors. Jalen Armstrong, Jordan Goco, and Jau'Von Young served as alternate captains. Jeremiah Collins served as Austin Peay's honorary team captain. 
• Austin Peay lost the opening coin toss and Southern Illinois deferred until the second half. Austin Peay elected to receive the opening kickoff. 
• The Governors are 7-9 under Scotty Walden when they lose the opening coin toss
• Weather in Carbondale at kickoff: 84, mostly clear, winds Northwest at 3 mph.

SERIES UPDATE                                           

• Southern Illinois improves to 6-2 in the all-time series and has won the last five meetings. 

THOSE ARE THE BREAKS

• Austin Peay falls to 2-7 when trailing at halftime and 2-9 when trailing at the end of the third quarter under Scotty Walden.  

OFFENSIVE SPARKS

• Thomas was the Governors leading receiver with a career-high five receptions and 72 yards.
• Odom also had a career-high four catches and 66 yards.
• Jordan Goco recorded a career-high three receptions. 
• Mike DiLiello went 20-for-34 for 214 yards and two touchdowns; he is now one touchdown pass away from being tied for seventh in APSU history with 24 touchdown passes. 
• CJ Evans Jr. led the Governors with eight carries for 30 yards and a touchdown, it was his 13th career rushing touchdown. 

DEFENSIVE STANDS                   

• In addition to his team-leading 17 tackles, Long recorded a tackle for loss and recovered a fumble. 
• Sam Howard recorded a career-high 10 tackles. 
• Michael Ruttlen Jr. had eight tackles and a half tackle for loss in his Austin Peay debut. 
• Xavier Smith made eight tackles and forced a fumble in his first game as a Governor. 
• Kory Chapman and Travis Bates shared a sack, it was Bates' first career sack in his first collegiate game. 

SPECIAL TEAMS SYNOPSIS

• Maddux Trujillo connected on his lone field goal attempt from 29 yards out, he is now in sole possession of third on the APSU career field goals list with 26.
• Riley Stephens punted six times for an average of 40.2 yards and one kick down inside the 20-yard line in his punting debut.
• Stephens also kicked off three times for an average of 65.0 yards and two touchbacks.
• Thomas returned four kicks for 60 yards with a 23-yard long.