In continuing Rocky Top Insider’s opponent previews ahead of the 2023 Tennessee football season, we next take a look at the Vols Week 2 opponent: the Austin Peay Governors.
Tennessee’s home opener comes in Week 2 against their only FCS opponent of the 2023 season in Austin Peay. The Governors are Tennessee’s easiest opponent on the schedule, and it may not be close if Jim Mora builds off an impressive year one at UConn.
The Vols face off against their first of two 2023 in-state opponents on September 9 at 5 p.m. ET in Knoxville.
Let’s take a quick look at what Austin Peay brings to the table heading into 2023.
What happened in 2022:
Austin Peay finished last season with a 7-4 record (3-2 ASUN), second in the conference behind Jacksonville State at 9-2 (5-0 ASUN).
The Govs played two games against FBS competition last year, losing to Alabama 34-0 and Western Kentucky 38-27 in the season opener.
Head coach Scotty Walden is entering his third full year as the head coach in Clarksville, where he has led the Govs to back-to-back winning seasons in 2021 and 2022.
After going 4-2 as an interim head coach in the 2020-2021 season, Walden has coached Austin Peay to a 13-9 overall record over the past two seasons (6-5 and 7-4).
Offense Outlook:
Austin Peay returns starting quarterback Mike DiLiello, who is entering his senior season. After sitting for two years at Middle Tennessee, DiLiello transferred prior to last season to start at Austin Peay.
Last season, DiLiello completed 201 of 332 passes for 2,480 yards and 21 touchdowns along with 11 interceptions. The Pembroke Pines, Florida, native is also a threat with his legs, having rushed for 446 yards and eight touchdowns on 119 carries a year ago.
The offense runs through DiLiello, but Austin Peay’s running back room is solid.
The Govs return C.J. Evans Jr., who led the team in rushing with 677 yards in 2022. Jevon Jackson also returns, who rumbled for 580 yards on just 95 attempts (6.0 YPC) last season.
Austin Peay is much thinner at the wide receiver position entering this season after losing three of their top four receivers, including 1,000-yard receiver Drae McCray, to the transfer portal.
Trey Goodman is the top returning wideout, who totaled 359 yards and four scores on 32 catches last year.
Considering who they have returning and DiLiello’s effectiveness on the ground, expect the Governors to be a run-first team in 2023.
More From RTI: Opponent Preview: Virginia Cavaliers
Defense Outlook:
The transfer portal wasn’t kind to the Austin Peay defense this offseason.
The Govs had the misfortune of losing their top two leading tacklers from last season, LB Antoine Williams and LB Josh Randolph, and co-interception leaders DB Demetries Ford and DB Shamari Simmons, who also logged 63 tackles in 2022.
Defensive back Kory Chapman is the best returning defender. The rising senior was third on the team in tackles last year with 67, had seven TFLs, a pair of sacks and a pair of picks.
Arguably Austin Peay’s most significant transfer portal addition this offseason was linebacker Tyler Long, who racked up 106 tackles, seven TFLs, and five sacks last year for Norfolk State.
Long will help Austin Peay’s defense, but the Governors lost a lot on that side of the ball. Tennessee should be able to easily attack the middle of the field and the perimeter while also having success with the long ball.
Prediction:
Tennessee should have no issues putting away Austin Peay in Neyland. It won’t be an Akron-level dismantling, but this will be the most stress-free victory of the year for the Big Orange and potentially a huge game from Joe Milton III statistically, even if he only plays the first half.
The Vols dominate the Govs to extend their home winning streak to 10 games.
Tennessee 56, Austin Peay 3
