Better Know A UAC Opponent: The Peay

Athens, Georgia - September 6, 2025 - Austin Peay State University, a school named after former Tennessee Governor Austin Peay, notched their first victory of the season by defeating Gardner-Webb 35-17. Gardner-Webb's inaugural head coach, Kris McCullough, was suspended following an off-field incident, prompting speculation that he may have been a fixture at the University of Gardner-Webb for the entirety of the past season.

Ranked #14 in the FCS, Austin Peay's mascot, the Governor, closely resembles the Monopoly man. The university is located in Clarksville, Tennessee, a city they gained notoriety for after I spent a summer there completing an internship during law school. Clarksville, now notable for introducing me to Austin Peay, is home to two former Division II schools, Tarleton State and West Georgia, which were once part of the Ohio Valley Conference before Austin Peay decided to break away.

Austin Peay's all-time record against Vanderbilt stands at 0-2, with the most recent meeting taking place in 2015, where Vanderbilt triumphed 47-7. The Bulldogs are expected to be a significant favorite in their upcoming matchup against Austin Peay, given the disparity in conference status. The most potent offensive threat for Austin Peay is quarterback Chris Parson, who not only threw for 308 yards but also ran for an additional 62 in their season opener.

Parson's impressive performance has led to his return to the team despite offers from higher-profile FBS programs. However, the defensive strength of Austin Peay remains a mystery, as the team's defensive capabilities are not well-documented.

The matchup of interest between Austin Peay and Vanderbilt is Blaze Berlowitz against Jared Curtis. Berlowitz, a five-star true freshman, was named the starting quarterback for the Austin Peay game after Vanderbilt's quarterback competition concluded with him earning the starting position. While Berlowitz is expected to start, there is speculation that Jared Curtis may take over the starting role sooner rather than later.