We're two weeks out from the season opener so figured I'd get this up.
Meet the Governors:
The Governors of Austin Peay are coached by Scotty Walden in his 4th season and first in the newly formed United Athletic Conference (an FCS football merger of the ASUN and the WAC). Walden came over from Southern Miss where he coached 4 games as an interim after being co-offensive coordinator. Walden is 25-17 as head coach at Austin Peay and had his best season last year finishing 7-4 and 1st place in the Governors first year in the ASUN after moving from the Ohio Valley Conference.
Austin Peay lost 3 WR's this offseason to FBS transfers in Drae McCray (Texas Tech), Kellen Stewart (Middle Tennessee), and James Burns (UConn). They also lost two all-conference cornerbacks to Arizona State in Demetries Ford and Shamari Simmons. Their two leading tacklers from last year both transferred as well. Antoine Williams to Western Carolina and Joshua Reynolds to Indiana.
The Governors were led by their defense last year leading the ASUN in scoring defense and total defense. They were 4th of 7 in the ASUN last year in points per game on the offensive end.
Key Players:
The Governors starting quarterback is 6-1 Graduate Student Mike DiLiello. DiLello began his collegiate career at Florida Tech before transferring to FBS Middle Tennessee where he spent two seasons. DiLello started all 11 games for the Governors last season and threw for 2,480 yards and had 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while also adding 446 rushing yards and 8 rushing touchdowns. DiLiello was named ASUN Offensive Player of the Week twice last year.
Austin Peay returns a tandem of running backs in 5-8 Senior C.J. Evans and 5-8 Sophomore Jevon Jackson that helped the Governors average 189 rushing yards per game last year. Evans went for 641 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns and Jackson went for 572 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns.
Austin Peay's defense was ravaged by transfers but they did add 5-11 Graduate Student Linebacker Tyler Long from Norfolk State. Long was named first team MEAC last year for recording 106 tackles and had 5 sacks.
Massey Ratings:
Massey Ratings gives SIU a 69% chance of winning and has them winning by a median score of 31-23.
Links:
Tennessee Rivals Austin Peay Preview
Rocky Top Insider Austin Peay Preview
On3 Tennessee Austin Peay Preview
Saluki Football Interviews:
LB Branson Combs Interview 8/3
DC Antonio James Interview 8/7
WR Izaiah Hartrup Interview 8/7
OC/QB Coach Blake Rolan Interview 8/8
WR Vinson Davis III Interview 8/10
HC Nick Hill Saluki Royalty Podcast 8/14
RB Coach Larry Warner Interview 8/14
RB Justin Strong Interview 8/14
RB Jaelin Benefield Interview 8/14
DT Dante Cleveland Interview 8/19
HC Nick Hill Press Conference 8/28
HC Nick Hill ESPN 103.5 FM Interview 8/28
Saluki Radio Previews:
Saluki Radio Previews Fall Camp
Saluki Radio Previews the Offense
We are 8 days out so I wanted to bump this up. I'll actually get to be at the opener for the first time in quite a few years. Usually don't make a home game until homecoming weekend.
This is one of those games that we need to win if this team wants to make the playoffs. AP should be a solid test, but we are at home and they have a lot of new faces to incorporate (including coaches), so no excuses.
Side note...the Dawgs Football podcast mentioned James Cesar returning to college after a year out (maybe trying to get his last season back that he lost due to injury)? Seems pretty crazy this late in the game, but they could use the depth at CB.
We are 8 days out so I wanted to bump this up. I'll actually get to be at the opener for the first time in quite a few years. Usually don't make a home game until homecoming weekend.
This is one of those games that we need to win if this team wants to make the playoffs. AP should be a solid test, but we are at home and they have a lot of new faces to incorporate (including coaches), so no excuses.
Side note...the Dawgs Football podcast mentioned James Cesar returning to college after a year out (maybe trying to get his last season back that he lost due to injury)? Seems pretty crazy this late in the game, but they could use the depth at CB.
Agree with all of what you mention regarding AP. It is imperative that we start the season off with a win. We certainly move up in class vs NIU, but a win is not 100% out of the question. SEMO will be a real dog fight per usual. 3-0 start would be unreal, however 2-1 would be quite acceptable. 1-2 would most definitely lower my expectations.
Excited for another season!
Side note...the Dawgs Football podcast mentioned James Cesar returning to college after a year out (maybe trying to get his last season back that he lost due to injury)? Seems pretty crazy this late in the game, but they could use the depth at CB.
I thought that's what they said, but figured there's no way he'd have eligibility left, but now looking at his record, I guess maybe he does have one more year. That's crazy, considering he was a freshman back in 2016.
I don't see him on the roster, though. Are we sure he's back with SIU?
Side note...the Dawgs Football podcast mentioned James Cesar returning to college after a year out (maybe trying to get his last season back that he lost due to injury)? Seems pretty crazy this late in the game, but they could use the depth at CB.
I thought that's what they said, but figured there's no way he'd have eligibility left, but now looking at his record, I guess maybe he does have one more year. That's crazy, considering he was a freshman back in 2016.
I don't see him on the roster, though. Are we sure he's back with SIU?
They are the only ones I've seen mention it. They also said the only reason they found out was b/c they were at the scrimmage. I would imagine he won't be added to the roster unless he gets the waiver, but if he's practicing with the team I'm sure they have applied.
Hopefully someone asks Hill about it at his press conference next week.
Game week. LFG! Hate to call week 1 a must win, but it’s a MUST win game.
Game week. LFG! Hate to call week 1 a must win, but it’s a MUST win game.
When you have a tough schedule (even with the fortunate Valley schedule), a game like this is a must win if they want to be in a good position to make the playoffs. I'm really interested to see the first two-deep. It's been tough with the videos determining who's starting where. Ready for this season to get going!!
@siu_2011 I’m interested in Hartrup. Not sure how much he’s practiced lately.
after hearing that podcast I’m deeply concerned about our kicking game. Hope it’s improved.
Special Teams in general were a weakness last year. In addition, our team discipline left a great deal to be desired. Inexcusable penalties for sportsmanship etc. killed us at key moments last year. I am looking to see that early on and how much composure we demonstrate. Schedule is a tough one so buckle up.
I’m worried about a lot of things. I’m hoping Antonio James has worked wonders in the - what - 3 weeks he’s been DC, but there are bound to be some hiccups on defense as he instills his own philosophy.
Should be a big crowd, don’t think Peay is very good. SIU needs to start taking advantage of home field. It’s been a problem really since Saluki Stadium opened.
Definitely can’t lose this one with NIU and #11 SEMO coming up.
Should be a big crowd, don’t think Peay is very good. SIU needs to start taking advantage of home field. It’s been a problem really since Saluki Stadium opened.
Definitely can’t lose this one with NIU and #11 SEMO coming up.
Win against teams we are supposed to win against... AP is a team that we should win against... with the offseason we have had and our last decade-ish as a baseline... maybe... hopefully... let me get back to you on that one lol... dawgs by 10... 24 -14!
First two deep is out...a few things that jumped out at me.
- On Offense
- At QB it looks like, at least for now, Hunter Simmons won the QB2 competition.
- Noah Fenske has either been denied his waiver or is still waiting on a ruling...either way he's not even listed on the two deep which I would presume means he's at least not playing week 1 (still up in the air according to Hill...I am writing this as I listen to his press conference).
- As a result of the above, my concern for the O-line just went up.
- Skill positions are about what I expected.
- On Defense
- Our base defensive front appears to be a 4-2 with an extra safety (I imagine PJ Jules), playing a hybrid position. I guess it's possible they play 3 down with Cowan playing as an extra backer or sometimes lining up as an end. Will be interesting to see.
- Our secondary depth is going to be tested...outside the starters, I'm seeing a lot of Fr/RFr. Interesting they decided on the front they did given the injury they had a CB and an overall lack of experience at the position.
- I don't see Cesar anywhere on the roster still so not sure what's going on there.
- Speceial Teams
- No real changes so we have to hope for improvement from the guys from last year.
