CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- As season 2.0 for United Athletic Conference (UAC) Football gets set to kickoff, we will preview each of the nine league members as we countdown to the opening of the 2024 campaign and the "Chase for the Crown". Austin Peay looks to defend its inaugural UAC title with a new coach and a reloaded roster.

NOTEWORTHY
* The Govs went undefeated (6-0) on their way to claiming the first UAC Championship, while finishing 9-3 overall and ranked in the Top 25 at the end of the season... APSU advanced to FCS Playoff action for just the second time in program history, serving as a host site for their opening round game against Chattanooga

* First time Head Coach JEFF FARIS, brings his 12 years of collegiate coaching experience from UCLA (2 yrs) and Duke (10 yrs) to takeover the Austin Peay program that has claimed a conference title in three of the past five seasons... All three titles have come in different leagues: UAC (2023), ASUN (2022) and OVC (2019)

* Ten Governors were named to the 2023 All-UAC first team but the success also resulted in some portal departures... A pair of players returned and garnered preseason all-league recognition in Chandler Kirton (OL) and Hosea Knifeley Jr. (DL)

* APSU posted a nine-game win streak last season, marking the longest stretch in program history... The Govs suffered a heartbreaking 24-21 loss to Chattanooga in the FCS opening round at home but will have the opportunity to avenge that loss in the regular season finale versus the Mocs 

AUSTIN PEAY QUICK FACTS
2023 Record: 9-3 (6-0 UAC / 1st)
Program Best FCS Record: 11-4 (2019) 
NCAA FCS Playoff Appearances: 2 (Last: 2023)
Head Coach: Jeff Faris
Career Record: 0-0 (1st Season)

KEY RETURNERS
- CHANDLER KIRTON (OL, RS-JR) - Standout starter for an offensive line that guided the Govs to a 9th place ranking nationally in scoring (34.1 PPG) and 14th in total offense (426.8 YPG)... Member of line producing four APSU program season records and five runner-up performances
- HOSEA KNIFELEY JR. (DL, GR) - One of the Govs top returning defensive standouts having finished last season with 52 total tackles, including 24 solo stops... Notched 7.5 TFLs and 4.0 sacks along with recording five PBUs and one forced fumble

2024 SCHEDULE
Aug. 31 | @Louisville
Sept. 7 | Southern Illinois
Sept. 14 | @Central Arkansas*
Sept. 21 | Alabama A&M
Sept. 28 | Southern Utah*
Oct. 5 | @West Georgia*
Oct. 19 | @Utah Tech*
Oct. 26 | Tarleton State*
Nov. 2 | @North Alabama*
Nov. 9 | Abilene Christian*
Nov. 16 | EKU*
Nov. 23 | Chattanooga

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