Of all 429 yards gained on the ground – the eighth-highest single-game mark in program history, if you're scoring at home – by Austin Peay in Saturday's 56-7 win against Morehead State, the three feet of real estate the Govs gained at the 2:29 mark of the second quarter will be most fondly remembered, certainly of the game and possibly of the entire season.

That's the play that rewarded Chandler Kirton – center, captain, five-year Gov and unofficial keeper of culture in Stacheville – with a plunge into the end zone for his first-ever touchdown.

On his first carry. Ever.

"I've never done anything like that," he said. "Never. Going back to junior high, junior pro, nothing. I don't think they're ever going to hand me the ball again, so I'm 100% – one carry, one yard, one touchdown."

The play was born, as things often are, from a passing comment, a joke that grew too large to ignore.

"I'd been asking to run the ball for a little while, probably at least since Coach (Jeff) Faris got here," Kirton said. "I was like, 'I can score a touchdown. I can get you a yard.' Well, during the week Coach (Michael) Gehl came up to me and goes, 'We've got a play for you. We're going to hand you the football.' I was kind of caught off-guard by it."

The plan was simple – get down to the one-yard line and give the ball to the big guy. The Govs worked it into the gameplan and ran it during the week in preparation for Saturday. Of course, there was one problem: the Govs' first four scores were on plays of 60, 84, 8, and 17 yards. With time running low in the first half and the game well in-hand, Kirton's chances to secure this particular achievement were running out.

And then freshman Isaiah Groves was brought down at the one after a nine-yard gain. Kirton raised one finger, and it was go time. Fletcher was the call, so named for Kirton's alma mater of Duncan U. Fletcher High School in Atlantic Beach, Florida.

"Everyone on our sideline knew," he said, setting the scene. "We broke the huddle and I lined up right behind Chris (Parson, Austin Peay's quarterback). I'm studying the defense and they have like 10 guys bunched up on the line. I'm just worried about jumping offside, then Chris calls hike and all of a sudden, it's just, 'Well, here goes nothing.'"

Feet moving, arms secured tightly around the ball, Kirton put his head down and barreled for the goal line, meeting a Morehead State defender head-on in the hole and powering through for the score.

Asked whether he was more concerned with ball security or getting across the goal line, Kirton smiled and said, "Breaking the plane. Ball security went out the window as soon as we snapped the ball."

The mood on the Austin Peay sideline – elated, even more than you would think possible with a 42-0 lead in the home opener. The vibes – immaculate, as jubilation reigned throughout the stadium. Parson – giddily hopping up and down, the most excited person on the field about his center getting his number called for a bit of well-earned glory.

Kirton deserved the recognition that goes with a touchdown, and so much more. A throwback who began his Austin Peay career in 2021, Kirton has done just about everything there is to do during his stay in Clarksville – he's won titles, been all-conference, Freshman All-America, Campbell Trophy Semifinalist, Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Semifinalist, UAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, you get the idea. Kirton is a portal-era rarity who found a place he loved and never really entertained thoughts that the grass might be greener elsewhere.

Kirton, who estimated he's played alongside about 400 players over the course of his college career, isn't wired that way.

"Coming out of high school, Austin Peay was my only Division I offer, and I knew I wanted to play Division I football," he said. "The people here pushed me to be the best person I can be, on and off the field. The people make the place; being able to say I'm a Gov for life is an awesome feeling."

Faris couldn't speak more highly of his center, one of the holdovers from the previous regime who stayed and built upon the momentum Austin Peay had developed in back-to-back conference championship seasons.

"He's everything that's right with Austin Peay football," Faris said postgame. "He could have left, but he wanted to stay, and he knew last year was going to be tough because of all the attrition, but he stayed, and he's built a foundation and a culture that will last."

Kirton has two rings already – one from winning a share of the short-lived WAC-ASUN Football conference in 2022 and the other from an unbeaten romp through the UAC in 2023 – and knows what it will take to add another to his collection. These Govs, his Govs? They've got what it takes.

As exciting as Saturday was, it doesn't stop there for the Govs. As awesome as the touchdown was, Kirton hopes he isn't finished celebrating on the Fortera Stadium turf.

"This team can go as far as it wants to go," he said. "As far as it's willing to push itself. There are endless possibilities for us, and I'm really excited for the rest of the season."