APSU football (3-2, 2-0 Ohio Valley Conference) earned their third win of the season following a shut out against nationally ranked UT Martin (3-2, 1-1 OVC).
The 7-0 victory is APSU’s first shutout over a NCAA Division 1 team since Middle Tennessee State in 1986, 331 games ago. The win sets APSU’s first 3-game win streak since the 1986 season. APSU has now allowed 20 points in the last 12 quarters they have played.
The win is APSU’s first victory over a nationally ranked team since a 24-20 win over Eastern Kentucky in 2009.
The defense shined all night long for the Govs holding UTM to 14 first downs and 165 rushing yards on 42 attempts. The Skyhawks failed to reach the red zone through the entire night with their farthest drive halting at the APSU 39-yard line.
Martin’s offense started to show their teeth late in the second quarter by connecting a first down pass from Troy Cook to Jaylon Moore for 39 yards. On the next play, Cook hurled the ball 49 yards down field only for it to be intercepted by Keawvis Cummings.
“I don’t think either team ever got into a flow,” said Head Coach Will Healy. “We made enough plays to get a win and gutted it out.”
Jaison Williams shined for the Govs with six tackles, 2.5 of those being for a loss. Williams hits added up for a total of 19 yards lost and one forced fumble. The 6-foot-1 sophomore also recorded two quarterback hurries.
“This was the great thing about football,” added Healy. “Finding ways to win games against top 25 competition is something we wanted to do.”
Williams performance earned him OVC Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors. He is the first Gov to earn the honor this season.
The lone score of the game came early in the second quarter behind a 22-yard rush from redshirt-freshman Terrius Callahan. The six play drive totaled in 59 yards featuring four separate ball rushers.
APSU had the opportunity to take a two-possession lead in the third quarter, but the 35-yard field goal attempt from Logan Birchfield was no good.
APSU returns to action again on Saturday, Oct. 7 against the fourth ranked FCS team in the nation, Jacksonville State (3-1, 0-1 OVC).
