Central Arkansas edges Austin Peay in first game of college football season
How Central Arkansas came back to beat Austin Peay
Central Arkansas rallied from a 10-point deficit to beat Austin Peay 24-17 in the first DI college football game this season. The Bears outgained the Governors 296-170 in the second half, going ahead for good of Breylin Smith's 10-yard strike to Lujuan Winningham with 34 seconds to go. Austin Peay was driving in the closing seconds before Tamaurian Wilson intercepted Jeremiah Oatsvall to seal the win.
Saturday's contest was also the first collegiate sporting since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Here are some ways this game was different:
- Capacity at the Cramton Bowl was 2,000 fans. Spectators wore masks entering and walking around the stadium.
- Team benches were extended from 50 to 70 feet.
- Spirit squads sat in the stands and bands did not travel.
- Coaches and players wore masks or gaiters on the sidelines.
- Teams used disposable cups for water instead of bottles.
Central Arkansas 24, Austin Peay 17 | Final
The Breylin Smith to Lujuan Winningham connection was the difference for a second year in a row as Central Arkansas knocked off Austin Peay 24-17 in the first DI college football game this season.
Here are the final stats:
- Yards: Austin Peay 332, Central Arkansas 458
- Turnovers: Austin Peay 2, Central Arkansas 3
- Penalties: Austin Peay 8-77, Central Arkansas 7-59
- QBs: Oatsvall (Austin Peay) 14-for-30, 181 yards, 1 INT; Smith (UCA): 26-for-49, 283 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
- Lujuan Winningham (UCA): game-winning receiving TD with :34 remaining
Central Arkansas 24, Austin Peay 17 | 0:34 4Q
Austin Peay 17, Central Arkansas 16 | 1:40 4Q
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!@JO2K_4 PUTS THE GOVS BACK ON TOP! 🎩🏈#RunItBack | #LetsGoPeay pic.twitter.com/WSakcLVITH
— Austin Peay Football (@GovsFB) August 30, 2020
Central Arkansas 16, Austin Peay 10 | 7:44 4Q
Central Arkansas 13, Austin Peay 10 | End 3Q
Central Arkansas 13, Austin Peay 10 | 14:00 3Q
How officials and media are social distancing at Austin Peay vs. Central Arkansas
Practicing social distancing also impacts how officials and media work during college football. Take a look at a few examples here:
- Per ESPN's broadcast, referees are using electronic whistles to officiate the game.
- ESPN's Lauren Sisler conducted a socially-distant halftime interview with Austin Peay head coach Marquase Lovings.
ESPN sideline interview setup pic.twitter.com/xEOZi2TLDu
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) August 30, 2020
Austin Peay 10, Central Arkansas 6 | Half
Austin Peay and Central Arkansas combine for three field goals in the second quarter as the Governors head to the locker room in front. Here are some numbers from the first half.
- Yards: Austin Peay 162, Central Arkansas 162
- Turnovers: Austin Peay 1, Central Arkansas 2
- Penalties: Austin Peay 5-52, Central Arkansas 4-40
- QBs: Oatsvall (Austin Peay) 5-for-9, 69 yards; Smith (UCA): 10-for-25, 92 yards, 2 INT
- CJ Evans (Austin Peay) 75-yard rushing TD on first play of game
Austin Peay 10, Central Arkansas 6 | 3:38 2Q
Austin Peay 10, Central Arkansas 3 | 7:37 2Q
Central Arkansas is on the board after ending its first three drives with turnovers. Hayden Ray converted a 30-yard field goal to cap off a 12-play drive that lasted just over four minutes. Breylin Smith guided the Bears downfield with two chunk plays — a 27-yard completion to Jack Short and an 18-yard gain to Tyler Hudson.
Austin Peay 10, Central Arkansas 0 | 11:38 2Q
The Governors add to their lead as Grant Paulette converts on his first field goal attempt this season, splitting the uprights from 28 yards out. Paulette's kick capped a 6-play, 42-yard drive for Austin Peay. Oatsvall and Geordon Pollard linked up for nearly all of the drive's offense on one play with a 37-yard completion.
The Governors get the ball back to start the second quarter, courtesy of @Jack_Mc3! 🎩🏈#RunItBack | #LetsGoPeay pic.twitter.com/ma8NS59lEg
— Austin Peay Football (@GovsFB) August 30, 2020
Social distancing at Austin Peay vs. Central Arkansas
Here are some examples of social distancing we've seen during the 2020 FCS Kickoff:
In the stands
- Fans are six feet apart throughout the Cramton Bowl, distanced from one another.
- Cheerleaders are seated in the stands while wearing masks.
On the sidelines
- The benches for each team were extended from 50 yards to 70 yards to allow for additional distancing.
- Coaches and players on both teams have been seen wearing masks or gaiters while on the sidelines.
- To eliminate the possibility of sharing water bottles, both teams are instead using disposable plastic cups for water.
Austin Peay 7, Central Arkansas 0 | END 1Q
CJ Evans' 75-yard touchdown is the difference for Austin Peay after one quarter. Following Evans' massive run, yards were much harder to come by as Austin Peay and Central Arkansas combined for 56 total the rest of the quarter. UCA had two turnovers on downs for the quarter while Austin Peay mishandled a punt on fourth down. Both teams appear still looking to find a rhythm on offense.
Austin Peay 7, Central Arkansas 0 | 14:44 1Q
Austin Peay makes a huge statement on the first play of the season. Running back CJ Evans wastes no time in finding the end zone as the true freshman handles an option in the backfield and finds daylight down the left sideline for a 75-yard touchdown run on his first collegiate touch.
ON PLAY NUMBER ONE... @Cj_evans5 TO THE HOUSE! 🎩🏈#RunItBack | #LetsGoPeay pic.twitter.com/T8gWkhnh8Q
— Austin Peay Football (@GovsFB) August 30, 2020