» By Mike Williams
The APSU football team would see a first-half lead disappear on Saturday, Sept. 15, in Nashville in their first Ohio Valley Conference game against Tennessee State.
What started off as a game that looked winnable turned into a run-away as TSU handled the Govs, 34-14.
The Govs started strong in the first half. Quarterback Jake Ryan found wide receiver Devin Stark for two touchdowns.
The Govs outgained TSU, 204-133, and looked poised to make a run towards victory, but the Tigers came out fired up and ready to finish playing the game.
The Govs had 10 penalties for 120 yards, and several of those penalties came at the most inopportune time.
Big penalties aided TSU on their first two scoring drives in the second half.
The Govs defense could not seem to stay off the field long enough to catch a breath in the third and fourth quarter.
The Govs offense could not sustain a drive going against a well-rested Tigers defense. The Tigers sunk their teeth into the Govs and took over the game.
Despite the lopsided loss, the Govs did get a big contribution from its players. For the Govs defense, Ernest Smith and Craig Salley would be two of those players.
Ernest Smith gave the offense trouble the whole game, and Salley ran down any player that broke past the second level of the defense.
The offense had a few players that stood out. Devin Stark and Wesley Kitts continued to contribute to the offense.
Stark had nine catches for 124 yards and the only two Govs’ touchdowns. Kitts had another good game.
Although he was held under 100 yards for the first time this season, he still had 94 yards on 16 carries.
The loss dropped APSU to 0-3 on the season and 0-1 in the OVC. The Govs look to get their first win when they take on UT Martin in their first home game of the season on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 6 p.m.
