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CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Host Austin Peay ran for 201 yards and held off a late charge by the Eastern Kentucky University football team to earn a 23-17 win in the OVC opener Saturday night at Governors Stadium. The win broke the Governors' 10-game losing streak.

APSU (1-2, 1-0 OVC) has now won back-to-back games over Eastern (1-3, 0-1) in Clarksville for the first time in the history of the series which dates back to 1959.

Running back Ryan White carried the load for the Govs, recording 27 carries for 132 yards. Eight of White's rushes went for 10 yards or more. Wide out Devin Stark added 79 yards receiving and three touchdown catches. Austin Peay held the ball for more than 36 minutes while forcing three EKU turnovers.

The Governors got on the board midway through the first quarter when quarterback Jake Ryan found Stark for a 16-yard touchdown strike. Austin Peay extended its lead to 9-0 two plays later when Eastern Kentucky running back Jeremiah Williams was tackled for a loss in the end zone.

Eastern's offense finally showed some life in the second quarter. Sophomore kicker Luke Pray got the Colonels on the board with a 36-yard field goal. Two series later, junior quarterback T.J. Pryor found junior wide receiver Tyrone Goard behind the defense for a 52-yard touchdown. That play gave EKU its only lead of the game, 10-9.

Austin Peay immediately responded to regain the lead, 16-10. The Governors put together a 13-play, 70-yard scoring drive which culminated with a five-yard touchdown reception by Stark. APSU converted a 3rd-and-11 as well as a 4th-and-4 on that possession.

The Colonel offense sputtered throughout much of the second half. Eastern managed only 56 yards on its first five possessions which resulted in four punts and a fumble. Meanwhile, Austin Peay took its opening drive 76 yards in 11 plays to extend its lead to 23-10.

EKU mounted one last charge in the final five minutes. Pryor found Goard for a 12-yard touchdown with 1:47 left to cut the deficit to 23-17. However, the ensuing on-sides kick was recovered by Austin Peay. The Governors were then able to run out the clock.

Goard led the Eastern Kentucky offense with personal highs in both receptions (seven) and receiving yards (133). Linebackers Nick Vicini and Ichiro Vance combined for 15 stops on the defensive side of the ball.

EKU enjoys an open week next Saturday, Oct. 1 before preparing for a road trip to OVC foe Eastern Illinois on Oct. 8.

NOTES:
--Starting linebacker Tyson Patrick did not play due to a violation of team core values.

--Sophomore kicker Luke Pray made his first career field goal at EKU, a 36-yard attempt early in the second quarter.

--Junior Justin Bell recorded his third career interception and first of the year, in the third quarter.

--In its three losses this year, Eastern Kentucky is 8-of-46 (17.4 percent) on third-down conversions. The Colonels were 3-of-16 (18.8 percent) on third downs against Austin Peay.