Rebounding from their home loss to Tennessee State, the Skyhawks defeated the winless Austin Peay Governors 38-14.
Despite early mistakes from the Skyhawks, the team was able to jump out to an early 14-0 lead with the help of two rushing touchdowns from tailbacks DJ McNeil and Abou Toure.
After a 5-yard pass from Timarious Mitchell to Darryl Clack, the team’s third touchdown of the season, the Governors pulled within one score of UTM. However, the Skyhawks responded with 8:42 left in the first half with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Jarod Neal giving the team the 21-7 lead that they took into the half.
Early in the third quarter, Butler hauled in a 6-yard touchdown grab on a fade route from Neal.With that touchdown Butler tied former Skyhawk Dwayne McKinney (1979-82) in all-time receiving touchdowns with 17 in his career.
Points continued to pile on the Governors as the third quarter went on. Running back Trent Garland ran in the team’s third rushing touchdown of the evening, giving the Skyhawks the 35-7.
As time expired in the third quarter, APSU set a new season-high with 14 points after another touchdown pass to Clack. On the following kickoff, the Skyhawks coughed up the ball inside their own 20, but the UTM defense held the Governors on fourth-and-fourth.
UTM kicker Jackson Reddit nailed a 38-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to give the team the 38-7 lead that they would end the game with.
“We’ve got to grow as a team,” said head coach Jason Simpson. “We have to mature, that’s what’s keeping our team from reaching it’s full potential.”
The 38-point win is currently the most points the team has put up all season.
“It was good to see the offense get a few more touchdowns this week,” said Simpson. “I’m proud of the win as we’re still hanging around and keeping UTM in the conversation. The kids work so hard during the week and it’s good to get several players into the game.”
Neal finished the game 21-of-33 for a career-high 293 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Butler hauled in 11 receptions for a season-high 171 yards and 2 touchdowns, while McNeil finished the game with 114 yards and 1 touchdown on 17 carries.
The Skyhawks return home on Nov. 2 to take on Murray State, kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
