CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- Explosive plays by host Austin Peay proved to be too much for the Morehead State football team to overcome Saturday night as the 22nd-ranked Governors pulled away early and defeated MSU 56-7 at Fortera Stadium.
The Eagles slipped to 1-2, while APSU moved to 2-1.
Austin Peay scored six first-half touchdowns, including its first two on 60 and 84-yard runs and piled up more than 500 offensive yards in the first 20 minutes. The Eagle defense was able to rise to the occasion more in the second half, limiting APSU to less than 200 additional yards. The Govs finished with 700 total yards. MSU finished with 178 total yards, including 172 passing yards.
A bright spot for the Eagles came with 14:07 left in the contest when sophomore quarterback
David Parsons connected with junior wide receiver
Riley Purcell on a 48-yard touchdown pass, Purcell's first career Eagle TD. It marked Parson's second career TD pass as an Eagle.
Defensively, junior linebacker
John Purdy led the Eagles again, with a career-high 11 total stops, including a tackle for loss. Fellow linebacker
Chris Johnson had nine tackles and a tackle behind the Gov line of scrimmage. Linebacker
Alex Valencia came up with eight tackles.
Parsons came on in the second half and finished 5-of-7 for 75 yards and the score.
Bryce Patterson completed 12 passes for a team-best 80 yards.
Austin Peay rushed for 429 yards, with 14 different ball carriers contributing to that total.
MSU is back at home next weekend when the Eagles Kentucky Christian at 6 p.m. ET.
