The All State

» By MARLON SCOTT – mscott@my.apsu.edu

After beating TSU, 37-34, then losing to UT Martin, 61-23, the Govs are now 1-1 in the Sgt. York Trophy Series.

The only team they have yet to face in the series this season is Tennessee Tech, who they will play on the road in their last game of the regular season. As the last game of the series this season, it could determine the winner of the Sgt. York Trophy.

The Govs must win that game to have a chance of earning the trophy, but they will also need some help.

As of press time, Monday Oct. 24, three of the six games in the series have been played. Like APSU, UT Martin is currently 1-1 in the series, Tennessee Tech is 1-0 and TSU is 0-1.

Currently undefeated in the series, Tennessee Tech would obviously earn the trophy if they remain so by winning their next two games, including the last game of the season against the Govs.

However, the Govs also need TSU to defeat UT Martin on Saturday, Nov. 12. As last year’s series winner, UT Martin will retain the trophy in the event of a tie. Thus, if they defeat TSU and still lose to the Govs in the last game of the series, both they and the Govs will be tied at 2-1, sealing their victory again.

Since the creation of the series in 2007, the Govs are the only team involved in the series yet to win the Sgt. York Trophy. TSU won the trophy in its inaugural season and again in 2008.

In 2009, Tennessee Tech won the series. Undefeated in the series games last season, UT Martin was awarded the Sgt. York Trophy in March.

Sponsored by the Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office, the Sgt. York Trophy is only the second-traveling trophy for which more than two teams in college sports compete. The other is the Commander in Chief’s Trophy. The Army, Navy and Air Force teams compete for that trophy.

The trophy is named in honor of Alvin C. York, one of Tennessee’s most famous soldiers. York served in World War I, for which he received the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1919.

He is also renown for the school he established to provide education to underprivileged children .

York died on Sept. 2, 1964. His institute and foundation are still in operation and a statue of him can be found outside the Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville.

The four Tennessee schools in the OVC, TSU, APSU, Tennessee Tech and the UT Martin have competed for the trophy since it was created in 2007.

The team with the best head-to-head record in the Sgt. York Trophy series is awarded the trophy at the annual O’Charley’s Dinner of Champions hosted by the Nashville Sports Council in the spring.

In the event of a tie, two schools will share the trophy.

However, if one of the schools is the previous season’s winner, that school will retain the trophy.

If the tie involves two schools that did not win the previous season, then the trophy will be awarded to the school that has gone the most seasons without winning the trophy. TAS

» ByANTHONY SHINGLER – ashingler@my.apsu.edu

Off to their best start in the Ohio Valley Conference since 1977, the Govs football team traveled to play UT Martin at Hardy M. Graham Stadium Saturday, Oct. 8.

However, UT Martin had other plans besides letting the Govs continue to a 3-0 start.

The Govs were left stunned on the ground as the Skyhawks soared to a 61-23 victory.

The loss drops the Govs to 2-1 in the OVC (2-3 Overall) and places them third in the conference, ahead of UT Martin (3-2 overall; 2-2 OVC).

Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech top the conference ranks with 3-0 OVC records. The loss also puts the Govs at a 1-1 mark for the Sergeant York Trophy.

“I thought in the first half, offensively we did okay, but defensively, they ran the ball; they threw the ball. When you can have a combination of those things, it’s tough to play defense. I don’t care who you are,” said head coach Rick Christophel

The Govs took a 14-13 lead with 5:42 left in the second quarter when junior quarterback Jake Ryan threw a 15-yard strike to senior wide receiver Scott for the touchdown. After that, the game changed.

UT Martin scored 41 unanswered points. It started with 21 points in the last five minutes of the first half with help from two Govs turnovers. The offensive spree continued in the second half as the Skyhawks swooped in and dropped 20 more points on the still reeling Govs.

The Govs offense found some more life when Ryan capped off an eight-play, 63-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Kamron Johnson. However, that would be their last score of the game.

UT Martin’s quarterback, Derek Carr, then put the finishing touches on the rout with a nine-yard pass to DJ McNeil for the final score of 61-23 with 12:43 left in the fourth quarter.

Carr completed 24-of-36 passes for 387 yards and a school-record six touchdowns. UT Martin finished with 552 yards of total offense, while the Govs finished with 317 yards.

Kenny Jones led UT Martin with seven catches for 127 yards and two scores.

Ryan completed 18-of-32 passes for 193 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Thomas finished with five catches for 64 yards and one touchdown.

“We’ve got to go back to work,” Christophel said. “It’s a tough road, a tough conference, a physical conference. I don’t think the kids quit, I just think we didn’t do a very good job.”

The Govs return to action at home 6 P.M. Saturday, Oct. 15, against Jacksonville State. TAS

» By MARLON SCOTT – mscott@my.apsu.edu

“It’s good.”

Those two words sent the nimble fingers of reporters furiously flying over keyboards in the press box as they thought of the best way to describe the kind of football game that made them want to write sports in the first place.

“It’s good.”

Those two words stunned the visiting TSU Tigers sideline as well as the stands behind them filled with fans. One half of Governors stadium, covered in TSU blue, suddenly shook their heads in disbelief.

“It’s good.”

Those two words ignited an eruption of cheers from the Govs fans who had been standing since the last hopeful offensive drive began. All thoughts of coldness, traffic and food were replaced with instantaneous excitement and joy.

“It’s good.”

Govs’ junior kicker Stephen Stansell did not hear those two words after he kicked the 35-yard field goal with 10 seconds left in the game to seal the Govs’ 37-34 comeback victory against the TSU Tigers Saturday, Oct. 1.

The ball soared end-over-end, high and through the uprights. The referees lifted both of their hands into the air signifying the kick was good. The sellout crowd of over 8,000 people reacted, half in red joy, the other half in blue disappointment.

It was the last three points of a 24-point rally by the Govs in the second half of a game that had everything. The Govs’ defense held the Tigers scoreless for the last 28 minutes of the game and the offense scored on five of their last seven offensive drives.

The win gives the Govs a 2-0 start in the Ohio Valley Conference for the first time since 1977. This was also the fifth-straight game between the Govs and Tigers which was determined by three or less points. Stansell had made only one of his last four kicks before he made the game winner.

“We made big plays. That was one of our goals in this week’s game,” said head coach Rick Christophel. “We knew if we made big plays we would win tonight. Another big key tonight was that they gave us two turnovers and we had none.”

The biggest turnover came with 2:12 left in the game. The two teams were tied at 34 and the Tigers had the ball trying to convert a third down and five.

TSU quarterback Mike German completed a pass for the first down to receiver Devin Wilson, but Govs free safety Antwuan Majors forced a fumble. Govs’ senior safety Amius Smith recovered the fumble and the offense took over at midfield.

A 17-yard bullet pass to junior wide receiver Devin Starks put the Govs in field goal range. Then, they kept the ball on the ground, using up time on the clock and forcing the Tigers to spend all their timeouts. At the 15 second mark, the Govs used their last time out to set up Stansell and five seconds later he was surrounded by teammates celebrating the game-winning kick.

Govs quarterback Jake Ryan threw a career-high 314 yards, including two touchdowns and no interceptions. Stark caught seven passes for 94 yards and a touchdown.

Tailback Ryan White produced 92 total yards of offense with a touchdown. Defensively, Majors made 11 tackles and the forced fumble was his second consecutive game creating a turnover.

The final, game-winning drive was the climax of a Govs explosive second half. The Govs had very few highlights in the first half of the game. It was TSU who controlled the first half and appeared to be on their way to a lopsided victory. The Tigers made the first strike on the opening kickoff when Weldon Garlington ran past, around and over several Govs for 100 yards to the end zone.

The Tigers went on to score on all of their five, first-half offensive drives. At halftime, they led the game 27-13.

“Giving them that touchdown on the opening kickoff was the worst thing we could have done,” Christophel said. “They had us back on our heels defensively the whole game. Fortunately, later in the game, we made plays when they gave us good field position.”
The Tigers were ahead 34-20 when their first offensive drive did not end in a score. They attempted a 41-yard field goal and missed. From there, the Govs defense clamped down. They forced two punts and a turnover, allowing the offense a chance to come back and win.

“We had to change our game plan because we were down the whole game. We didn’t get to run the ball as much as we would have wanted to, so we had to throw the ball and some guys stepped up and made plays,” Christophel said. “We really made the adjustments we needed to defensively. We held them to seven points in the second half. We applied pressure to them and they had to play on their heels in the second half.”

The win places the Govs in third place in the OVC behind Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech, who are both 3-0 in the conference. The win also puts the Govs in a first place tie for the Sgt. York Trophy Series.

The Govs will travel to UT Martin for their next game on Saturday, Oct. 8. They will return home to play undefeated Jacksonville State. TAS

By MARLON SCOTT – mscott@my.apsu.edu
The Govs are hoping to make it two OVC home wins in a row against the TSU Tigers. This game will also be the first in the Sgt. York Trophy series for the Govs. Tennessee Tech and UT Martin will also be playing in a York Trophy series game today as well.The Govs are 5-8 in the series against the Tigers, although they won the last meeting on Saturday, Sept.18, 2010, 26-23.
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Junior quarterback Jake Ryan and wide receiver Devin Stark hooked up for three touchdowns in last week’s win against the EKU Colonels. Will they be able to do the same against the Tigers. Also look for senior tailback Ryan White to get his 12th career 100-yard rushing game.

Final Tigers pass comes up short. Govs win 37-34 on Stansell game winning field goal.

Update: 10 seconds remaining in the game
Stansell makes 35-yard field goal to give the Govs 37-34 lead.

Update: 1:09 Fourth quarter Govs 34 Tigers 34
Govs running the ball in the Tigers red zone. Already in range for a game-winning field goal.

Update: 1:18 fourth quarter Govs 34 Tigers 34
Govs in the Tigers red zone. facing first down and 10 on the 17-yard line.

Update: 2:21 fourth quarter Govs 34 Tigers 34
Govs recover a Tigers fumble on the 47 yard line. Have a chance to take the lead.

Update: 5:35 fourth quarter Govs 34 Tigers 34
Tigers start first and 10 on their own 18 yard line.

Update:Wesley Kitts dives three yards for the touchdown. The score is tied at 34 with 5:42 left in the game.

Update: 7:22 fourth quarter Govs 27 Tigers 34
Govs facing third down and goal on the eight yard line. Ryan throws incomplete pass. Govs go for it on fourth down. They are stopped, but TSU is charged with two penalties that set up first and 10 on three-yard line.

Update: 9:40 fourth quarter Govs 27 Tigers 34
Tigers make their second punt of the game. Govs open up with 29-yard pass to Stark. First and 10 on the Tigers 22-yard line.

Update: 11:38 fourth quarter Govs 27 Tigers 34
Penalties force Govs into third down and 17. They fail to convert and punt to the Tigers.

Update: 13:03 fourth quarter Govs 27 Tigers 34
Govs driving, first and 10 on the Tigers 32 yard line. A touchdown on this drive would tie the game.

Update: 14:13 fourth quarter Govs 27 Tigers 34
Govs defense holds. Tigers make first punt of the game.

Update: end of the third quarter Govs 27 Tigers 34
Tigers driving, trying to expand lead back to two scores. Govs need a stop to tie the game.

Update: 1:38 third quarter Govs 27 Tigers 34
Govs go to hurry up offense, end 7-play drive with a 21-yard touchdown dash by Ryan White. Govs closing in on Tigers 27-34.

Update: 4:30 third quarter Govs 20 Tigers 34
Tigers attempt and miss a 41-yard field goal. Govs take over at their own 24-yard line.

Update: 6:36 third quarter Govs 20 Tigers 34
Govs go three and out. Tigers takeover on their own 29-yard line.

Update: 7:32 third quarter Govs 20 Tigers 34
Tigers score on three-yard run.

Update: 9:04 third quarter Govs 20 Tigers 27
Tigers responding with 9 play 69 yard offensive drive. First and goal on Govs six-yard line.

Update: 13:33 third quarter Govs 20 Tigers 27
Ryan completes a 72 yard bomb to Darryl Clack for a touchdown. The extra point is good and The Govs have closed to within one score

Update: Third quarter Govs 13 Tigers 27
Govs receive second half kickoff. After a penalty start first and 10 on the 28-yard line.

Halftime: Govs 13 Tigers 27
Govs produce only 150 yards of offense.
The defense has allowed 250 yards of Tigers offense including three plays over 25 yards.
Ryan has completed 12 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown
White leads the ground attack with 28 yards.
Starks has 4 catches for 41 yards and a touchdown.

Update: 0.27 seconds Govs 13 Tigers 27
After recovering the fumble, Ryan throws a five yard bullet to Devins Starks for the Govs first touchdown of the game.

less than one minute before halftime, Tigers fumble on the five yard line. Govs recover for first and goal.

Update: 4:35 second quarter Govs 6 Tigers 27
Govs hold Tigers to field goal.

Update: 8:55 second quarter Govs 6 Tigers 24
Govs try a fake punt, but fail to convert fourth down. TSU takes over on the 50-yard line.

Update: 11:06 second quarter Govs 6 Tigers 24
Tigers quarterback Mike German completes a 25-yard touchdown pass to Devin Wilson.The extra point is good and the Tigers extend their lead, 24-6.

Update: second quarter Govs 6 Tigers 17
Govs make first punt of the game. No turnovers in Game so far. Difference in the game is big plays by the Tigers

Update: 1:05 first quarter
Govs defense make first stop of the game. Tigers held to 28-yard field goal. Tigers lead 17-6.

Update: 4:00 first quarter
TSU driving in Govs territory. Convert fourth down for first and 10 on the Govs 12-yard line.

Update: 5:42 first quarter
Govs second offensive drive, 10 plays for 47 yards. Can’t get into the end zone. Stansell kicks his second field goal of the game from the Tigers 6-yard line. Tigers still lead 14-6.

Update:9:50 first quarter
Tigers score in only 4 plays. Increase lead 14-3

Update: 11:14 first quarter
Govs drive 24 yards on eight plays, Stansell makes 43-yard field goal. Govs Trail the Tigers 3-7.

Update: 14:31 first quarter
After penalty, Govs start first and 10 on the 50-yard line.

Kickoff
Tsu Freshman Weldon Garlington returns kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. Extra point is good, Tigers lead 7-0

» By MARLON SCOTT – mscott@my.apsu.edu

It’s good to be home.
That had to be one of a million sentiments the Govs football team felt after they ended a 10-game losing streak by beating the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels at home, 23-17, Ohio Valley Conference opener Saturday, Sept. 24. The Govs’ 23 points, their highest offensive production so far this season, was primarily the result of spectacular play by junior wide receiver Devin Stark.

Stark caught three-touchdown passes. He was the first Govs’ receiver to catch three touchdowns since Daryl Miller did it against Tennessee Tech in 2008. He finished the game with six catches for 79 yards, including the three touchdowns.

“Me and Stark are really kind of coming together. We are starting to know exactly what the other one is thinking,” said Jake Ryan, senior quarterback. “He made a couple of great catches for me tonight. The diving one in the end zone was by far one of the best I’ve seen. He is a great player and our chemistry seems to be working right now.”

Although Stark was his primary target, Ryan completed passes to six different players. Ryan completed 13 of 27 pass attempts for 133 yards with one interception and three touchdowns. The Govs offense was equally potent on the ground. Ryan White, senior running back, had 27 carries for 132 yards. It was White’s 11th career 100-yard game.

For the first time this season, the Govs started the game with a lead. After getting to the Colonels 16-yard line on their second-offensive drive of the game, Ryan launched a pass into the end zone which Stark dove for and snatched with his finger tips.

On the ensuing kick off, the Govs pinned the Colonels on the one-yard line. When EKU tried to run the ball on first down, senior safety Amius Smith made a tackle in the back field for a safety. With seven minutes left in the first quarter, the Govs led 9-0.

The lead vanished in the second quarter. The Colonels made it 9-3 with a 36-yard field goal at the 13:13 mark. After two failed scoring drives by the Govs, the Colonels took the lead when junior quarterback T.J. Pryor threw a 52-yard bomb to junior receiver Tyrone Gourd.

Unlike the first two games of the season, the Govs not only maintained their poise, they made key plays to take back the game.

Stark caught his second touchdown pass with less than two minutes until halftime. Then, starting with the ball in the third quarter, the Govs drove 76 yards on 11 plays to score again with a Stark touchdown.

Ahead 23-10, the Govs went into the fourth quarter rushing the ball to kill time and hoping the defense would hold.

The Govs’ defense had not played a flawless game, but up until that point had done a solid job of keeping the Colonels offense at bay.

“Our defense had a phenomenal game. They kept them out of the end zone for the most part except for there at the end, but that was kind of a prevent deal,” Ryan said.

“They had a couple turnovers that were real big for us, keeping there offense off the field. We hadn’t had that up until now.”

With less than two minutes remaining in the game, Pryor found Gould again for an 11-yard touchdown that brought the Colonels within a touchdown.

However, the Colonels failed to execute an onside kick and the Govs ran out the clock for the win.

Although the Colonels produced 383 yards of offense, the Govs defense got a safety, an interception, four sacks, eight tackles for a loss and recovered a fumble.

“We had to do three things to win the game tonight and we accomplished all three of them,” Christophel said. “We said one. We have got to win the game at the line of scrimmage. Two, we had to win the turnover game, we did. And three, we had to win the kicking game, which we did. It was an unbelievable game of punting by Ben Campbell.”

“I didn’t say a whole lot to them after the game, but I did say I was proud of them. The one thing I reminded them of, is what our goals were. We accomplished every single one of our goals tonight. We accomplish those goals, we win football games.” TAS

» By AARON FORSGREN – aforsgren@my.apsu.edu

This year, the Govs added Landon Curtis, a six-foot-one-inch 200-pound freshman from Calhoun High School in Calhoun, Ga., to their football roster as a new quarterback.

During his high school years, Curtis played football and baseball, and had an impressive track record in both sports. He played the position of linebacker during his junior year and went with his team to the state championship where the season ended.

He started as quarterback during the state championship during his senior year and, although they lost in overtime, Curtis as well as the team had a good season with a record of 14 and 1. He completed 173 of 266 passes for a total of 2,560 yards and 32 touchdowns.

He was named Class AA Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press and first team all-state by both the Associated Press and the Atlanta Journal – Constitution.

He was also the winning pitcher in the Class AA state title game during his junior year.
Curtis said he looks forward to getting on the field. “It’s going to be fun playing teams like Cincinnati [and] getting to see all of those fans in

the stands. I’ve gotten to know so many people here, it’s so much fun. I love college.”

He’s also looking forward to the season ahead and does not lack the confidence a quarterback needs. “I think we should be pretty good this season. We’ve got athletes all over the field.”

Curtis said he doesn’t expect the team to really run into any problems as they are a pretty potent group, mentioning both the offensive line and quarterback Jake Ryan. “They are pretty experienced and Jake is getting older and more experienced.You can tell he’s picking up on the game and he’s going to start doing better.”

As most athletes do, Curtis had opportunities to attend numerous other colleges, but chose APSU as his number one choice.

Curtis said, “I still wanted to play football. I had opportunities to go to places and play baseball but I didn’t want to hang up the football cleats just yet,” Curtis said. “So I chose APSU because I have the opportunity to play both.”

He went on to say he wants to play the quarterback position, but if given the chance he would play another position. “If it came down to it, and they said I could be on the field earlier and play another position, I would do it. In the end, I want to play quarterback. That’s what I came here to do.”

Curtis said he feels the coaching staff are all characters and likes working with them. I get along with coach Chris [really] well. He’s my position coach, so I’m with him every day through meetings and everything. All of the coaches are cool.”

Curtis can’t wait to get out on the field and start his college career, and the Govs’ fans will be there, waiting in the wings, as they cheer the team on this season and the seasons to follow. TAS