The All State

Media Credit: Lois Jones APSU senior running back Chris Fletcher evades University of Tennessee at Martin defenders in the 17-14 victory at Govenors stadium. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Lois Jones Sophomore defensive end Nick Clark recovered a fumble for a touchdown in the Oct. 20 win against Samford. [Click to enlarge]

Picked ninth in the preseason polls, the Austin Peay State University Governors football team has had to prove themselves to the rest of the Ohio Valley Conference all season.

After winning their first game at home against Bethel University, they had to beat Indiana State University on the road to prove it was not a fluke.

When they lost their first OVC game against Tennessee State University, APSU went on to win their next two OVC games to prove that they could compete in the conference.

This week, the Samford University Bulldogs defense held the Govs to 48 total offensive yards in the first half and looked like they were going to win their homecoming game.

With four second half touchdowns, the Govs defeated the Bulldogs 28-25 and proved the homecoming crowd in Birmingham, Ala. wrong.

"I can't say enough about our kids," said APSU head coach Rick Christophel. "We couldn't move the football until the second half. I think we played like 90 snaps on defense. To do what they did was unbelievable.

Senior running back Chris Fletcher had his best game of the season. He carried the ball 24 times for 196 yards and three touchdowns including two 50 yard scrambles.

"He (Fletcher) had some tremendous runs today," Christophel added.

Fletcher and the rest of the Govs offense struggled in the first half. Sophomore quarterback Gary Orr attempted only two passes and Fletcher rushed for 25 yards.

While the Bulldogs put together long drives that kept the Govs offense off the field, the Govs defense kept them in the game with big plays.

APSU sophomore defensive back Kevis Buckley intercepted a pass in the end zone that stole six points from the Bulldogs.

Freshman Antonio Faulkner ended another Samford drive on fourth down when he tackled Bulldog running back Chris Evans for a loss. Samford's last drive of the half was stopped when junior Jason Vanatta pulled down another interception.

Govs punter Ryan Key also made things difficult for the Bulldogs. Key averaged 46 yards on six punts. His first punt of the second half soared, bounced and flipped 52 yards before being downed on the Samford one yard line.

On the next play, Bulldog quarterback Jefferson Adcock fumbled the snap and Govs defensive end Nick Clark recovered the fumble in the end zone for the Govs first touchdown of the game.

In his second start, Orr completed just 3 passes for 38 yards, but managed the game well without turning the ball over. Christophel kept the game on the ground and the Govs rushed 42 times for 201 yards.

With 8:45 left in the third quarter Evans broke an 81-yard run to give Samford the lead 10-6.

Fletcher retaliated on the Govs next possession with a 50-yard run. After a two point conversion the Govs led 14-10 with 6:36 left in the third quarter.

With 8:13 left in the fourth quarter Fletcher breaks tackles and another 50-yard rush. Two plays later he finds the end zone for the third time in the game after dashing another 20 yards.

Down 28-25 with less than two minutes left in the game, the Bulldogs had a chance to tie the game with a 21-yard field goal attempt. Samford kicker Mark Prevost lined up for the kick and then booted the football wide right.

The win improved the Govs to 5-3, 3-2 OVC. The Govs have not won five games since 2002. This is also the best record of an APSU scholarship football team since 1991.

The Govs have a bye this week and will hit the road again to take on Southeast Missouri State University Nov. 3.

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