2024 Austin Peay Governors football team

2024 Austin Peay Governors football
Conference	United Athletic Conference
Record	4–8 (3–5 UAC)
Head coach	Jeff Faris (1st season)
Offensive coordinator	Quinn Billerman (1st season)
Defensive coordinator	Tripp Weaver (1st season)
Home stadium	Fortera Stadium
Seasons ←  2023 2025  →

2024 United Athletic Conference standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 14 Abilene Christian $^		7	–	1					9	–	5
No. 13 Tarleton State ^		6	–	2					10	–	4
No. 21 Eastern Kentucky ^		6	–	2					8	–	5
Southern Utah		6	–	2					7	–	5
Central Arkansas		3	–	5					6	–	6
Austin Peay		3	–	5					4	–	8
North Alabama		3	–	5					3	–	9
West Georgia*		1	–	7					4	–	7
Utah Tech		1	–	7					1	–	11
$ – Conference champion ^ – FCS playoff participant Note: West Georgia is ineligible for the UAC title and FCS postseason play due to transition from NCAA Division II. Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2024 Austin Peay Governors football team represented Austin Peay State University as a member of the United Athletic Conference (UAC) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Governors were coached by first-year head coach Jeff Faris and played at Fortera Stadium in Clarksville, Tennessee.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	11:00 a.m.	at Louisville *	L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium Louisville, KY	ACCN	L 0–62	47,067
September 7	6:00 p.m.	No. 10 Southern Illinois *	Fortera Stadium Clarksville, TN	ESPN+	L 17–31	8,124
September 14	6:00 p.m.	at No. 7 Central Arkansas	Estes Stadium Conway, AR	ESPN+	L 17–45	9,167
September 21	6:00 p.m.	Alabama A&M *	Fortera Stadium Clarksville, TN	ESPN+	W 59–16	7,947
September 28	1:00 p.m.	Southern Utah	Fortera Stadium Clarksville, TN	ESPN+	L 17–28	3,988
October 5	1:00 p.m.	at West Georgia	University Stadium Carrollton, GA	ESPN+	W 20–16	2,674
October 19	3:00 p.m.	at Utah Tech	Greater Zion Stadium St. George, UT	ESPN+	W 13–7	3,133
October 26	3:00 p.m.	No. 8 Tarleton State	Fortera Stadium Clarksville, TN	ESPN+	L 17–27	8,219
November 2	4:00 p.m.	at North Alabama	Braly Municipal Stadium Florence, AL	ESPN+	W 31–17	7,286
November 9	3:00 p.m.	No. 15 Abilene Christian	Fortera Stadium Clarksville, TN	ESPN+	L 34–35	3,741
November 16	1:00 p.m.	Eastern Kentucky	Fortera Stadium Clarksville, TN	ESPN+	L 27–30 OT	6,117
November 23	1:00 p.m.	Chattanooga *	Fortera Stadium Clarksville, TN	ESPN+	L 17–24	6,105
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

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Game summaries

at Louisville (FBS)

See also: 2024 Louisville Cardinals football team

Game One – Austin Peay Governors (0-0) at Louisville Cardinals (FBS) (0-0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Governors	0	0	0	0	0
Cardinals (FBS)	10	28	21	3	62

at L&N Stadium • Louisville, KY

• Date: Saturday August 31, 2024
• Game time: 12:00 p.m.
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (ACCN): Jorge Sedano (play-by-play), Orlando Franklin (analyst), and Morgan Uber (sideline)

Game information

First quarter (10:48) LOU – Brock Travelstead 30-yard field goal (Drive: 7 plays, 62 yards, 4:12; Louisville 3–0) (8:10) LOU – Ja'Corey Brooks 9-yard pass from Tyler Shough (Brock Travelstead kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 33 yards, 1:36; Louisville 10–0) Second quarter (14:51) LOU – Keyjuan Brown 4-yard run (Brock Travelstead kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 5:07; Louisville 17–0) (10:55) LOU – Jadon Thompson 33-yard pass from Tyler Shough (Brock Travelstead kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 90 yards, 1:56; Louisville 24–0) (7:17) LOU – Mark Redman 21-yard pass from Tyler Shough (Brock Travelstead kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 35 yards, 1:27; Louisville 31–0) (0:10) LOU – Jadon Thompson 5-yard pass from Tyler Shough (Brock Travelstead kick) (Drive: 2 plays, 13 yards, 0:15; Louisville 38–0) Third quarter (8:04) LOU – Isaac Brown 77-yard run (Brock Travelstead kick) (Drive: 1 play, 77 yards, 0:15; Louisville 45–0) (2:39) LOU – Ramon Puryear 0-yard fumble recovery (Cooper Ranvier kick) (Louisville 52–0) (0:17) LOU – Duke Watson 7-yard run (Nick Keller kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 24 yards, 1:12; Louisville 59–0) Fourth quarter (5:00) LOU – Brock Travelstead 38-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 59 yards, 6:53; Louisville 62–0)

Statistics	APSU	LOU
First downs	9	23
Total yards	106	571
Rushing yards	34	293
Passing yards	72	278
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	14–24–1	27–34–0
Time of possession	29:10	30:50

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Austin Peay	Passing	Austin Smith	11–16, 53 yards, INT
	Rushing	Lavell Wright	7 carries, 23 yards
	Receiving	Jaden Barnes	3 receptions, 30 yards
Louisville	Passing	Tyler Shough	18–24, 232 yards, 4 TD
	Rushing	Isaac Brown	5 carries, 123 yards, TD
	Receiving	Ja'Corey Brooks	7 receptions, 83 yards, TD

No. 10 Southern Illinois

See also: 2024 Southern Illinois Salukis football team

Game Two – No. 10 Southern Illinois Salukis (0–1) vs Austin Peay Governors (0–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 10 Salukis	0	0	0	0	0
Governors	0	0	0	0	0

at Fortera Stadium • Clarksville, TN

• Date: September 7, 2024
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• Game attendance: 8,124
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Alex Gould, Ethan Schmidt

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	SIU	APSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Southern Illinois	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Austin Peay	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at No. 7 Central Arkansas

See also: 2024 Central Arkansas Bears football team

Game Three – Austin Peay Governors (0–2) vs No. 7 Central Arkansas Bears (1–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Governors	0	0	0	0	0
No. 7 Bears	0	0	0	0	0

at Estes Stadium • Conway, AR

• Date: Saturday September 14, 2024
• Game time: 6:00 PM CST
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Dylan McLemore, JB Brazeal

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	UCA	APSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Central Arkansas	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Austin Peay	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. Alabama A&M

See also: 2024 Alabama A&M Bulldogs football team

Game Four – Alabama A&M Bulldogs (2–1) vs Austin Peay Governors (0–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	0	0	0	0	0
Governors	0	0	0	0	0

at Fortera Stadium • Clarksville, TN

• Date: Saturday September 21, 2024
• Game time: 6:00 PM CST
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Alex Gould, Ethan Schmidt

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	AAMU	APSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Alabama A&M	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Austin Peay	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. Southern Utah

See also: 2024 Southern Utah Thunderbirds football team

Game Five – Southern Utah Thunderbirds (1–3) vs Austin Peay Governors (1–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Thunderbirds	0	0	0	0	0
Governors	0	0	0	0	0

at Fortera Stadium • Clarksville, TN

• Date: Saturday September 28, 2024
• Game time: 1:00 PM CST
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Ethan Schmidt, Colby Wilson

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	SUU	APSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Southern Utah	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Austin Peay	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at West Georgia

See also: 2024 West Georgia Wolves football team

Game Six – Austin Peay Governors (1–4) at West Georgia Wolves (1–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Governors	0	0	0	0	0
Wolves	0	0	0	0	0

at University Stadium • Carrollton, GA

• Date: Saturday October 5, 2024
• Game time: 1:00 p.m.
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Logan Maddox, Parker Gore, Carlie Pair

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	APSU	UWG
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Austin Peay	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
West Georgia	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Utah Tech

See also: 2024 Utah Tech Trailblazers football team

Game Seven – Austin Peay Governors (2–4) at Utah Tech Trailblazers (0–7) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Governors	0	0	0	0	0
Trailblazers	0	0	0	0	0

at Greater Zion Stadium • St. George, UT

• Date: Saturday October 19, 2024
• Game time: 2:00 p.m.
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Rod Zundel, Max Christensen III

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	APSU	UTU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Austin Peay	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Utah Tech	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. No. 8 Tarleton State

See also: 2024 Tarleton State Texans football team

Game Eight – No. 8 Tarleton State Texans (6–1) vs Austin Peay Governors (3–4) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 8 Texans	0	0	0	0	0
Governors	0	0	0	0	0

at Fortera Stadium • Clarksville, TN

• Date: Saturday October 26, 2024
• Game time: 3:00 PM CST
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Ethan Schmidt, Colby Wilson

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	TAR	APSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Tarleton State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Austin Peay	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at North Alabama

See also: 2024 North Alabama Lions football team

Game Nine – Austin Peay Governors (3–5) vs North Alabama Lions (3–6) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Governors	10	14	0	7	31
Lions	0	3	14	0	17

at Braly Stadium • Florence, AL

• Date: Saturday November 2, 2024
• Game time: 4:00 PM CST
• Game weather: SW at 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h) • Weather: Cloudy • Temp: 73 °F (23 °C)
• Game attendance: 7,286
• Referee: John Kellermeier
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Benjamin Ray (play-by-play) and Bryan Neece (analyst)

Game information

First quarter (10:50) APSU – Carson Smith 37-yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 50 yards, 2:59; APSU 3-0) (3:56) APSU – Jaden Barnes 57-yard pass from Austin Smith (Carson Smith kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:59; APSU 10-0) Second quarter (13:24) APSU – Jaden Barnes 31-yard pass from Austin Smith (Carson Smith kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 78 yards, 3:37; APSU 17-0) (8:17) UNA – Scott Payne 42-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 50 yards, 5:07; APSU 17-3) (1:16) APSU – Ramon Copeland Jr 14-yard pass from Austin Smith (Carson Smith kick) (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 7:01; APSU 24-3) Third quarter (13:25) UNA – TJ Smith 14-yard run (Scott Payne kick) (Drive: 4 plays, 54 yards, 1:27; APSU 24-10) (5:40) UNA – Ben Harris 19-yard pass from TJ Smith (Scott Payne kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 3:44; APSU 24-17) Fourth quarter (7:21) APSU – Jaden Barnes 49-yard pass from Austin Smith (Carson Smith kick) (Drive: 3 plays, 71 yards, 1:12; APSU 31-17)

Statistics	APSU	UNA
First downs	26	20
Total yards	528	394
Rushing yards	122	116
Passing yards	406	278
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	31–35–1	25–39–1
Time of possession	33:48	26:12

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Austin Peay	Passing	Austin Smith	31/35, 406 yards, 4 TD, INT
	Rushing	La'Vell Wright	14 carries, 61 yards
	Receiving	Jaden Barnes	12 receptions, 241 yards, 3 TD
North Alabama	Passing	TJ Smith	25/39, 278 yards, TD, INT
	Rushing	Jayvian Allen	10 carries, 62 yards
	Receiving	Dakota Warfield	7 receptions, 84 yards

vs. No. 15 Abilene Christian

See also: 2024 Abilene Christian Wildcats football team

Game Ten – No. 15 Abilene Christian Wildcats (6–3) vs Austin Peay Governors (4–5) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 15 Wildcats	14	0	14	7	35
Governors	14	13	0	7	34

at Fortera Stadium • Clarksville, TN

• Date: Saturday November 9, 2024
• Game time: 3:00 PM CST
• Game weather: Rain • Temperature: 59 °F (15 °C) • Wind: E 4 miles per hour (6.4 km/h)
• Game attendance: 3,741
• Referee: Jeremee Tate
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Alex Gould, Ethan Schmidt

Game information

First quarter (12:35) APSU – Jaden Barnes 58-yard pass from Austin Smith, Carson Smith kick (Drive: 3 plays, 69 yards, 0:55; Austin Peay 7–0) (9:58) ACU – JJ Henry 66-yard pass from Maverick McIvor, Ritse Vaes kick (Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:31; Tied 7–7) (6:39) APSU – La'Vell Wright 2-yard run, Carson Smith kick (Drive: 7 plays, 71 yards, 3:13; Austin Peay 14–7) (3:52) ACU – JJ Henry 44-yard pass from Maverick McIvor, Ritse Vaes kick (Drive: 6 plays, 79 yards, 2:42; Tied 14–14) Second quarter (10:38) APSU – Carson Smith 29-yard field goal (Drive: 15 plays, 52 yards, 8:06; Austin Peay 17–14) (8:24) APSU – Jaden Barnes 73-yard pass from Austin Smith, Carson Smith kick (Drive: 1 play, 73 yards, 0:11; Austin Peay 24–14) (0:16) APSU – Carson Smith 33-yard field goal (Drive: 15 plays, 50 yards, 4:59; Austin Peay 27–14) Third quarter (6:23) ACU – Sam Hicks 14-yard run, Ritse Vaes kick (Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 5:12; Austin Peay 27–21) (0:55) ACU – Sam Hicks 15-yard run, Ritse Vaes kick (Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 3:25; Abilene Christian 28–27) Fourth quarter (11:54) APSU – Austin Smith 1-yard run, Carson Smith kick (Drive: 7 plays, 68 yards, 3:53; Austin Peay 34–28) (3:07) ACU – Jed Castles 15-yard pass from Maverick McIvor, Ritse Vaes kick (Drive: 10 plays, 74 yards, 3:12; Abilene Christian 35–34)

Statistics	ACU	APSU
First downs	26	17
Total yards	526	415
Rushing yards	171	107
Passing yards	355	308
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	25–42–0	18–32–0
Time of possession	30:58	29:02

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Abilene Christian	Passing	Maverick McIvor	25/42, 355 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Sam Hicks	16 carries, 113 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	JJ Henry	3 receptions, 125 yards, 2 TD
Austin Peay	Passing	Austin Smith	18/32, 308 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	La'Vell Wright	17 carries, 66 yards, TD
	Receiving	Jaden Barnes	6 receptions, 179 yards, 2 TD

vs. Eastern Kentucky

See also: 2024 Eastern Kentucky Colonels football team

Game Eleven – Eastern Kentucky Colonels (6–4) vs Austin Peay Governors (4–6) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Colonels	0	0	0	0	0
Governors	0	0	0	0	0

at Fortera Stadium • Clarksville, TN

• Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
• Game time: 1:00 PM CST
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Ethan Schmidt, Colby Wilson

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	EKU	APSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Eastern Kentucky	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Austin Peay	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

vs. Chattanooga

See also: 2024 Chattanooga Mocs football team

Game Twelve – Chattanooga Mocs (6–5) vs Austin Peay Governors (4–7) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Mocs	0	0	0	0	0
Governors	0	0	0	0	0

at Fortera Stadium • Clarksville, TN

• Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
• Game time: 1:00 PM CST
• Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
• TV announcers (ESPN+): Ethan Schmidt, Colby Wilson

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	UTC	APSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Chattanooga	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Austin Peay	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

References

1. "2024 Austin Peay Football Schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
2. "Governors Announce 2024 Football Slate With Seven Games at Fortera Stadium". Austin Peay State University, Department of Athletics. Retrieved March 21, 2024.