NASHVILLE — Chayil Garnett threw a late touchdown pass to Zaire Thornton but Austin Peay ruined Senior Day at Nissan Stadium on Saturday afternoon with a 36-7 win over the Tigers. 

An early injury to quarterback Geremy Hickbottom and running back Devon Starling put the Tigers shorthanded as they could only muster 194 total yards compared to AP's 369 yards of total offense. The Tigers also had the misfortune of three turnovers (two interceptions and one lost fumble). Hickbottom's first replacement Deveon Bryant went 2-of-9 with 47 yards passed and was sacked three times. Late in the contest, Garnett filled in as the third quarterback for TSU and had success on 95 yards passing with a touchdown.

It came down to the last drive of the game for TSU who had not been shut out since a 44-0 loss to Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 2, 2013, a streak that moved to 86-games with at least a point on the board. The drive went nine plays and 57 yards for Garnett who escaped a fourth-and-10 and a false start at the one-yard line before the quick pass touchdown. 

Jalen Rouse came on in absence of Starling with 52 net yards in 18 carries. Rouse also picked up 40 yards on one reception. 

The Govs led 17-0 at the break and then added 19 more points in the second half. 

Draylen Ellis led Austin Peay with 293 passing hard but was sacked fourt times as the TSU defense led by Josh Green had nine tackles and one sack. The Tigers defense also got sacks from Raymond Horton, Tadarius Patterson, Terray Jones and Davion Nash. 

Tennessee State will close out the 2021 Fall season next Saturday with a morning kickoff at SEC member MIssissippi State at 11 AM CT.