Austin Peay State University head coach Scotty Waldon speaks with an official during Saturday’s season opener at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill. | The All State photo

All eyes are on the Austin Peay State University football team (0-1) as they venture out to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville to face the University of Tennessee Volunteers (1-0). The All State sat down with head coach Scotty Walden on Wednesday to talk Governors football. Here are some key takeaways for Saturday’s game.

 The Govs are going back to their roots: What does that mean exactly? Coach Walden says it’s getting back to playing the Govs brand of ball. It’s being relaxed and not putting too much pressure on themselves, getting back to the basics of playing. 

“I think a lot of our woes on last Saturday’s game were more of us trying to be too perfect,” said Walden. “You can’t play the game of football tight because if you do, you’re going to make mistakes.”

Be the unexpected: The Vols are no doubt a talented team. So where can the Govs gain an advantage? Walden says this is a massive space game, so putting his defense and offense in space drills during practice this week could be the edge the Govs need this week.

Playing what Walden calls “complimentary football”: Last week’s game against Southern Illinois University showed that is defense is the product of the offense. “Football is the ultimate complementary sport,” said Walden. “Not one person, not one side of the ball can be great and be successful.”

Kickoff is at 4 p.m. on Saturday. You can stream the game on ESPN+/SEC Network+. The All State will be live on X @theallstate.