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Tennessee State University

TSU Athletics

Tigers Storm Back Before Dropping Season Opener, 27-20

2/28/2021 4:41:00 PM

Box Score

Game 1: Austin Peay 27, Tennessee State 20
Records: TSU (0-1), APSU (1-4)
Venue: Fortero Stadium
Location: Clarksville, Tenn.
Weather: Raining, 67
Kickoff Time: 2:00 p.m.
Game Duration: 3:38
Attendance: 831

CLARKSVILLE ---  Tennessee State gave a valiant effort trying to overcome a large first quarter deficit before falling to Austin Peay 27-20 at Fortera Stadium on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
 
The Tigers found themselves down 20-0 midway through the first quarter as Austin Peay scored on the first play of each of its first three drives. Despite the deficit, the Tigers started to find a rhythm on both sides of the ball.
 
The defense stepped up after giving up 186 yards on the Govs first three plays and held them to 181 yards for the final three and a half quarters.
 
The offense would get going as redshirt sophomore Deveon Bryant registered his first collegiate touchdown pass late in the second quarter, finding Vincent Perry in the end zone to make the score 20-7 at halftime.
 
Antonio Zita cut the score in half with a 35 yard field goal midway through the third quarter, but the Govs responded with a touchdown to extend the lead to 27-10.
 
The Tigers fought back with another Zita field goal and a six yard scoring pass from Isaiah Green to Cam Wyche.
 
The Big Blue made one final stop to get the ball back with 1:32 remaining on the clock.
 
Green completed three passes on the final drive to move down to the AP 24.  The final pass attempt as the clock hit zero fell short of the end zone, securing the win for the Govs.


TOTALS

  • Austin Peay outgained TSU in total yards, 368-332
  • The Tigers gained 234 yards through the air, 98 on the ground
  • The defense surrendered 250 rushing yards and 118 passing
  • The Tigers ran 79 plays, averaging 4.2 yards per play
  • TSU collected 16 first downs, held APSU to 12
  • TSU won the Time of Possession battle, 33:57-26:03
  • The Tigers finished 4-of-5 in Red Zone Scoring Chances
  • The Big Blue was tagged with nine penalties for 60 yards

INDIVIDUAL

  • Isaiah Green entered late in the game and finished 10-of-18 for 173 and a touchdown.
  • Devon Starling led the Tigers on the ground with 55 yards on 15 touches.
  • Antonio Zita posted eight points with two field goals and two extra points.
  • Kaleb Mosley punted eight times for 287 yards, averaging 35.9 yards per punt.
  • Nyle Love led the defense with 12 total tackles and six solos.
  • Justin Brown registered three tackles for loss, including 1.5 sacks.
  • James Green added two TFLs, while Nate Sutton and Larry Wilhoite each notched 1.5.
  • Wilhoite and Clint Dowty forced fumbles.
  • Davoan Hawkins recovered a fumble for TSU.
  • Green, Brown and Wilhoite each nabbed a quarterback hurry.
  • Nick Harper Jr. broke up one pass on the afternoon.

FIRST QUARTER

  • Austin Peay dominated the first quarter scoring on the first play of each of its first three possessions.
  • During the quarter the Tigers ran 17 plays for 21 yards.
  • The Govs out gained TSU 228-21 throughout the period.

SECOND QUARTER

  • The Big Blue looked to change the momentum of the game as Kendall Johnson blocked a punt at the Govs eight yard line.
  • The drive stalled and the Tigers were not able to get on the board as Antonio Zita missed a 22 yard field goal attempt.
  • The defense continued to find its legs as they forced a three and out.
  • The Tigers would get the ball in the hands of Vincent Perry who went for 11 yards on the first play of the drive.
  • Devon Starling would spark the rushing game with gains of 10 and eight yards to move the ball down to the Govs 24.
  • Four plays later, Deveon Bryant found Perry on the left side of the end zone for a 19 yard touchdown pass, cutting the score to 20-7.
  • After allowing APSU 22.8 yards per rush in the first, the defense stymied the Govs to -0.2 yards per carry.
  • TSU out gained Austin Peay 64-26 in the second quarter.

THIRD QUARTER

  • The defense continued to put pressure on the Govs after halftime.
  • Nyle Love and Nate Sutton teamed for a sack to force a punt on the opening drive of the half.
  • Bryant moved the offense down the field with completions to Perry for 24 yards and Dayron Johnson for 15 to move to the APSU 26.
  • The Tigers would cut the lead in half on a Zita 35 yard field goal.
  • AP added to its lead with a two play drive late in the third quarter, making the score 27-10.
  • The Big Blue had kept the Govs in check until the scoring drive where they went 55 yards.
  • The Govs out gained TSU 106-67.

FOURTH QUARTER

  • Justin Brown and Davoan Hawkins teamed up for a sack to force a punt to start the final quarter.
  • Isaiah Green entered the game at quarterback and hit Dayron Johnson for a 57 yard pass play.
  • The drive stalled and forced the Tigers to settle for a 29-yard Zita field goal.
  • The defense forced another three-and-out giving the offense the ball at its own 41 yard line.
  • The Tigers kept the drive alive as Green hit Cam Wyche for a 38-yard pass play on third and seven.
  • Four plays later, the duo would team up again for a six yard touchdown pass.
  • The Big Blue made one final stop to get the ball back with 1:32 remaining on the clock.
  • Green completed three passes on the final drive to move down to the AP 24.
  • The final pass attempt as the clock hit zero fell short of the end zone, securing the win for the Govs.

GAME NOTES

  • Cam Durley served as the captain. Nick Harper Jr. and Deveon Bryant were named assistant captains.
  • The weather at Fortera Stadium was 67 degrees with downpour at kickoff.
  • Kickoff occurred at 2 p.m.
  • This is the 23rd meeting between Tennessee State and Austin Peay
  • Tennessee State leads the series 13-10.
  • Tennessee State is 4-8 versus the Governors in Clarksville
  • Spring 2021 Sgt. York Standings: Tennessee Tech 1-0, UT Martin 0-0, Tennessee State 0-1, Austin Peay 1-1
  • Clint Dowty III notched his first forced fumble at the start of the second quarter, with Davoan Hawkins on the recovery.
  • Big Blue played three quarterbacks: Deveon Bryant, David Johnson and Isaiah Green.
  • Halfway through the fourth, Isaiah Green threw his first touchdown in blue and white, six yards to Cam Wyche for his first touchdown.

WHAT'S NEXT:
The Tigers will host Jacksonville State at Hale Stadium on Sunday, March 7.

QUOTES
Head Coach Rod Reed
-Opening statement 
"Was really proud of our football team tonight. We didn't start fast but our kids never quit. They hung in there and we gave ourselves an opportunity the last play of the game to win the game. We have to start better defensively. We stunk it up in the first half. We made a few adjustments during the second quarter and at half time and we totally dominated the game defensively in the second half, except the one big play that Nick Harper gave up on the stop and go route. I was really proud of the way the defense played tonight.

Isaiah Green, we inserted him late in the game and some people wonder why we waited so long. He practiced maybe one day this week. He got eligible yesterday around noon. We weren't really comfortable starting him and putting him in there, but you can see that he can run our offense and do it efficiently. He just has to learn everything and get more reps. He maybe got three or four reps here and there.

I think we're going in the right direction. I'm proud of this team. You can't spot good teams margins like that in the first half and expect to win on the road. We have to be better at starting fast. I thought we ended strong tonight. Just have to end strong."

#13 Redshirt Sophomore linebacker Nyle Love
-On getting back on the field
"It was a very nostalgic feeling . I was glad to be out there with my team. It was hype and I just enjoyed the environment overall."

-On the defensive play
"We started off a bit slow, I admit, but we came out the second half and had stop after stop after stop. We came together as a team."

-On how the defense can improve for next week
"We're gonna have to come together and discuss our plans. Start a little faster and be more hype in the beginning. "

#7 Redshirt Senior Wide Receiver Vincent Perry 

-On his first touchdown in blue and white
"I just worked the route, worked him inside and came back out. It was touchdown. It felt great. It was my first touchdown of the season. I have many to go. But, this doesn't happen without my team.  

-On the offensive play
"Today we looked pretty good. We ran the ball well when it was raining. There are some things that we have to work on. We just need to stay focused and consistent."  

#BigBlueRising

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