Govs lose to the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers 30-13 Saturday in Neyland Stadium. JENNIFER LINDAHL|THE ALL STATE

Austin Peay head football coach Scotty Walden told us to expect the unexpected and that’s what we got in Saturday’s game against the No.9 University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The Govs lost to the Volunteers 30-13, but this week’s defense left the Vol’s offense struggling.

“When you’re playing a team like that, you have to be unconventional in a lot of ways,” said Walden. “It’s the Art of War, you got to be where the enemy doesn’t expect you. We did a great job of keeping them off balance.”

The Vols had only been held without a touchdown in the first quarter twice in the past three seasons with Florida and Georgia. Now, Austin Peay joins that list as the third team to hold them in the first quarter. Maddux Trujillo’s 45-yard field goal at 11:06 in the first quarter of the game put the Govs on the board 3-0. 

Knoxville is hometown for two of the Govs football players, quarterback, Jake Johnson, and offensive lineman, Michael Treadwell. Johnson has called Knoxville home for just a few short years due to his father’s, Billy Ray Johnson, job as the Chief of Staff for the Vols football team. 

“I’ve been to multiple games as a fan, watching my dad and the team do their thing,” said Johnson. “Being across the sideline, facing him for the first time was a pretty special moment, something I’ll never forget.”

Treadwell grew up in Knoxville and was also able to have his entire family in the stands cheering him on. Despite everyone being in the stands, he came back to hundreds of text messages from his family telling him how proud they were of him.

“Growing up I always watched Tennesse play,” Treadwell said. “It’s a pretty surreal moment.”

The Govs (0-2) are coming home Saturday, September 16, for their home opener game against East Tennessee State University (1-1). Kick off at the Fort is at 6:00 p.m.