Austin Peay vs Samford: Governors Eye Playoff Hopes

Historic Showdown in Clarksville

Fortera Stadium in Clarksville, Tennessee, will host a crucial Week 12 matchup as Austin Peay Governors (6-4) welcome the Samford Bulldogs (1-9) for Senior Day on Saturday, November 15. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CT, with live coverage available on ESPN+.

Stakes for Austin Peay

The Governors enter this contest riding a wave of momentum after a dramatic 41-38 victory over Central Arkansas last week. Quarterback Chris Parson continues his stellar season, ranking third in all of FCS with 2,941 total yards. His dual-threat capabilities—throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for two more against UCA—underscore why Austin Peay ranks second in the United Athletic Conference in scoring (34.7 points per game).

More importantly, this game is a must-win for Austin Peay's playoff aspirations. A victory keeps faint hopes alive for an at-large bid to the 24-team FCS tournament, though they'll face their stiffest test yet against No. 6 Tarleton State on November 22. The Governors have been dominant at home this season, winning all five games at Fortera Stadium.

Samford's Fight for History

The Bulldogs enter the contest under interim head coach Scot Sloan following the dismissal of Chris Hatcher after a 38-14 loss to East Tennessee State. Samford's lone win this season came back in October (24-22 at VMI), and they've dropped three straight since. However, a victory Saturday would be historic—it would mark the 500th win in program history.

Despite the struggles, Samford boasts individual standouts. Senior linebacker Jaden Mosley leads the Southern Conference with 89 tackles and 8.9 per game. The receiving trio of Preston Bird, Calvin Jones, and Jaden Gibson also ranks among the SoCon's best, with Bird and Jones tied for fourth in receptions (49 each).

Series History and Key Matchups

Samford holds an 8-1 edge in the all-time series but hasn't faced Austin Peay since 2007. The last meeting in Clarksville? A 51-0 Samford rout in 1999. Austin Peay's lone series win came in 2007 (28-25). This non-conference clash adds intrigue as the Governors aim to exploit Samford's league-worst defense.

"The Govs need to beat Samford in order to keep their hopes of earning an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs alive."
- The Leaf-Chronicle

What to Watch

Keep an eye on:

• Parson vs. Samford's Secondary: Can the Governors' QB exploit the Bulldogs' pass defense?
• Mosley's Impact: Will the SoCon's leading tackler disrupt Austin Peay's high-octane offense?
• Senior Day Atmosphere: How will Austin Peay's 14 seniors respond in their final home game?

Looking Ahead

Regardless of Saturday's outcome, Austin Peay's schedule closes with a road test against undefeated Tarleton State. For Samford, this game represents an opportunity to salvage pride and history under new leadership.