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Austin Peay State University Athletics

Postgame Notes and Quotes: Govs at Middle Tennessee

August 30, 2025

By: Casey Crigger, Assistant Director of Athletics/Strategic Communications & Branding

GOVS-BLUE RAIDERS POSTGAME NOTES

Notes following Austin Peay's historic 34-14 win over FBS Middle Tennessee in the 2025 season opener at Johnny Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

FROM THE TOP

  • Austin Peay won its first game against a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent since beating Kansas State, 26-22, on Sept. 5, 1987, in that season's opening game.
  • Austin Peay's 34 points scored against Middle Tennessee were its most points scored against an FBS opponent, topping the 33 points it scored against MTSU (2010) and Central Florida (2017).
  • Jeff Faris is the second head coach in program history to lead the Governors to a win against an FBS opponent, joining Emory Hale, who led the victory against Kansas State in 1987.
  • Austin Peay outgained Middle Tennessee 343-153 in total offense.
  • The Govs totaled 150 rushing yards while holding the Blue Raiders to 44 rushing yards.
  • The Governors also recorded 193 passing yards, while holding Middle Tennessee – who ranked second in Conference USA with 261.1 per game in 2024 – to just 109 yards through the air.
  • Austin Peay recorded 19 first downs in the contest while holding MTSU to just 13 first downs.
  • Austin Peay held Middle Tennessee to 0-12 on third down – marking the first time APSU has held an opponent without a conversion under head coach Jeff Fairs.

CAPTAINS/COIN TOSS

  • Captains Davion Blackwell, Jackson Head, Chandler Kirton, and Chris Parson, took the coin toss for the Governors. Javious Bond and Myles Wiley also served as captains for Austin Peay.
  • Austin Peay won the coin toss and deferred its option until the second half. Middle Tennessee elected to receive the opening kickoff.
  • Austin Peay is 1-0 at the coin toss this season and 8-5 under head coach Jeff Faris.
  • The Govs are 1-0 this season and 2-6 under Faris when they win the coin toss.
  • Weather in Murfreesboro at kickoff: 84 degrees, clear skies, winds north at 16 mph.

SERIES UPDATE            

  • Austin Peay improves to 13-39-2 all-time against Middle Tennessee and 8-22-1 against MTSU in Murfreesboro.
  • The Governors picked up their first win against the Blue Raiders since a 7-0 overtime victory in 1986.
  • The Govs beat the Blue Raiders in Murfreesboro for the first time since a 16-7 win in 1984.
  • The Governors ended a 12-game losing streak to the Blue Raiders.

GOVS VS. THE FBS

  • Austin Peay improves to 2-31 all-time against FBS opponents.

IN THE VOLUNTEER STATE

  • Austin Peay improves to 121-180-8 all-time against opponents from Tennessee.
  • The Governors' 34-14 win against MTSU was the program's first win against an in-state FBS opponent.

OPENING THE SEASON

  • Austin Peay improved to 29-58-2 all-time in season-opening games.
  • The Govs won their first season opener since beating No. 18 Chattanooga, 30-20, in the 2021 season opener.

THOSE ARE THE BREAKS

  • Austin Peay improves to 1-0 this season when leading at halftime and 5-2 under head coach Jeff Faris.
  • The Governors improve to 1-0 this season and 5-2 under Faris when leading after three quarters.
  • The Governors led wire-to-wire in its season-opening victory, marking the fourth wire-to-wire win of the Jeff Faris Era.

OFFENSIVE SPARKS

  • Seven Governors combined to rush 47 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 3.2 yards per carry.
  • Quarterbacks Chris Parson and Austin Smith combined to complete 14 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
  • The Governors' offense did not commit a turnover against the Blue Raiders.
  • Parson, who started at quarterback, completed 11 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing 11 times for 24 yards.
  • Smith completed three passes for 51 yards and rushed five times for 13 yards and a touchdown.
  • Courtland Simmons led the Govs' rushing attack with 10 carries for 35 yards and a touchdown.
  • Seven Govs' receivers caught a pass, led by Shemar Kirk's three catches for 69 yards in his APSU debut.
  • Jaden Robinson also caught two passes for 31 yards and a touchdown in his APSU debut.  
  • Tight end Jackson Head added three catches for eight yards and a touchdown – his second as a Governor.
  • Javious Bond rushed 11 times for 26 yards, caught two passes for 22 yards, and returned two punts for 62 yards, totaling 110 all-purpose yards in his Austin Peay debut.

DEFENSIVE STANDS      

SPECIAL TEAMS SYNOPSIS

  • Carson Smith went 2-for-2 on field goals, with makes from 36 and 40 yards.
  • Gavin Myers punted five times for 181 yards with a long punt of 44 yards.
  • Logan Leftrick punted once for 20 yards in the fourth quarter, with his punt downing MTSU at the 17-yard line.
  • Javious Bond had two punt returns for 62 yards, including a 55-yard return in the fourth quarter. 

GOVS-BLUE RAIDERS POSTGAME QUOTES

Austin Peay head coach Jeff Faris

Opening Statement… "I could not be more proud of the men in our locker room, how they have come together and worked every day since we have come together. We talk about discipline and finish, and I couldn't think of a better showcase of that tonight. Last year, we built a culture, and we learned how to fight, but we struggled to finish games. We finished tonight out. I am so proud of that group. Our assistant coaching staff works their tail off. I am so blessed to be in a room with those guys; they make me so much better, and we are a true family at Austin Peay, and we're just getting started."

On the Win… "Our discipline showed tonight, and how hard we're willing to play. We've talked a lot about it, and there was nothing that was going to stop us from finishing this game. Like everybody in college football, there are injuries, but the next man up stepped up and executed. I couldn't be more proud of the heart and the fight of this football team. I love the culture that we're building in Clarksville."

On his Message to the Team… "My message to this team is that we have to be the most improved team in the country from week one to week two. That's our challenge. Can we handle the success? I am excited to see the way we come back to work tomorrow."

Austin Peay Quarterback Austin Smith

On his Performance… "Each and every day, I came to work like I was a starter and put my best foot forward. I've tried to the best of my ability to be who I am as a player and a guy and continue to be a leader on the team as a fifth-year senior. I've had to fall in love with the process and push my team in the best way possible."

On this Year's Team… "Discipline and finish. Last year, there were a lot of games we left on the table. In the offseason, we were focused on finishing the fourth quarter, the last rep, the last set. It's just a testament of what we needed to work on, and during this offseason, we took the time to complete the job. It's still early in the season, so we still need to continue to take it one step at a time."

Austin Peay Defensive Back Ellis Ellis Jr.

On This Year's Team… "I shed a couple of tears last year because last season was a hurtful year. But we came back this year with different guys and different coaches and are ready to show what we can do."

On the Defense… "It makes it very easy when the defensive front can affect the throw, so we can come away with a big play. I am proud of those guys for what they do on the line."

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