It's one thing to talk about protecting this house. The Austin Peay State University football team stated, explicitly and emphatically, that to a man they wanted to go unbeaten at home this season. But it takes more than words to bring a lofty goal like that to life. 

With Saturday's 30-16 win against Samford, Austin Peay football went unbeaten at home for the first time since 1964. We're long past the time of needing to mine respect for the Govs and their prowess on the gridiron, but still – when you achieve something as a program for the first time in over 60 years, it's worth crowing about it a little bit. 

"I'm incredibly proud of this group," said Austin Peay head coach Jeff Faris. "The credit goes to the players. This community has been and continues to be unbelievable, and the ability to send the seniors out the right way is something we talked about all week, and I'm just happy we were able to do that for those guys."

None of the recent title teams held serve at home across the full season. Nor did the sainted team of 1977. The achievement spans generations of Governors football. They have something special, and they know it. 

"This is the closest team I've ever been a part of," said sophomore defensive lineman Antori Hamilton. "I think we have a deep bond as the team, and I think that shows on the field and how we've been able to take care of business at home." 

It's also a handy microcosm of how far this team has come in Faris' second season, because each win falls into two categories: resounding beat 'em downs and strong efforts to hold on. 

In the first camp: wins against Morehead State, Utah Tech, North Alabama, and Samford by a combined score of 194-61. Aside from brief moments of real concern – like when the Lions pulled within two scores early in the fourth or when the Bulldogs recovered the onside kick with just over three minutes to go in Saturday's final frame – these wins were multi-score affairs, emblematic of a quality team taking care of business on home turf.  

In the second: the sorts of wins the Govs struggled to secure a year ago. Against West Georgia on October 4, Austin Peay fell behind 16-9 after a quarter and were tied 30-30 going into the fourth. A year ago, the Govs were outscored 81-38 across all fourth quarters; this year, they tidily put away West Georgia with a rushing score from Chris Parson and a Will Middleton pick-six. 

A week ago, the Govs trailed 14-3 after a quarter and 31-27 at the end of the third against Central Arkansas. Parson picked apart the Bears by air (39-yard touchdown pass to Shemar Kirk) and by land (a 19-yard scramble for a rushing score) to help put the Bears into hibernation in a 41-38 win. 

Last year, fourth-quarter leads evaporated at Fortera Stadium against Southern Utah, Abilene Christian, and Eastern Kentucky. This year, the Govs finished the job each time, showcasing significant growth for a squad still fueled by young players, especially at the offensive skill spots. 
"Our big focus this year was discipline and finish," Faris said. "The discipline has improved every week. We have found a way to finish, even on a day like this where things didn't go exactly like they needed to in the fourth quarter, we found a way to get a first down to end it, or our defense found a way to get off the field." 

So yeah, that unbeaten home mark is a wonderful achievement, but it doesn't happen without the maturation and growth of a team that has learned how to win and done so on its home turf, in front of its hometown faithful, and put on a high-octane show each week while doing it as well. The Govs averaged 46.8 points per home outing, so if you put your hard-earned American dollars down on an Austin Peay football ticket this season, you were guaranteed two things: a win and a heck of a show from the home offense. 

"I'm extremely thankful for our fanbase," said quarterback Chris Parson. "They showed up big-time for us every week, and that was something that really attracted me to Austin Peay when I was in the portal. The fans show up and show out. So I really appreciate all their support this year and helping us send the seniors out the right way today." 

(The fireworks show that is the Austin Peay offense likely isn't regressing next year; if you'd like to go ahead and invest early in some 2026 season tickets, points will likely abound once more.) 

"One of our preseason goals was to go 6-0 here," Faris said. "And we've had ranked teams in here, really, really good teams. None of them have been easy, but we've learned a lot about ourselves. Our team loves this community, and it's a mutual relationship. The Gov Walk, the environment… we're so fortunate, it means a lot, and those guys take it seriously. We're in the hardest league in FCS football, and to go unbeaten at home is no small achievement."

More than anything else in 2025, the Govs made it fun to show up at the Fort and watch a game.

Whatever comes next, this will be the season remembered for setting a new expectation for defending The Fort. For the first time since 1964, no opponent came into Fortera nee Governors nee Clarksville Municipal Stadium and left happy. That's more than a milestone; that's an identity.

And judging by the way this group carries itself, they're just getting started.