CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — Austin Peay defeated Tennessee-Martin 35-12 on Saturday in an NCAA Football Championship Division game at Fortera Stadium. The Governors improved to 4-1, while the Skyhawks fell to 1-4. Austin Peay used a strong performance from quarterback Chris Parson and a defense that produced turnovers and sacks. Tennessee-Martin moved the ball through the air and on the ground but could not match the Governors’ scoring output. The game was played at Fortera Stadium in Clarksville.

Chris Parson completed 17 of 21 passes for 254 yards and one touchdown. He rushed 14 times for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Parson, a 6-1, 210-pound quarterback from Brentwood, Tenn., was Austin Peay’s top star. His 66-yard touchdown run in the first quarter gave the Governors an early spark. He later scored on an 18-yard run in the third quarter and threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Sims in the same quarter. Parson’s dual-threat ability kept the Tennessee-Martin defense off balance.

A team safety opened the scoring in the first quarter. Austin Peay answered with Parson’s 66-yard run. Tennessee-Martin got a 3-yard touchdown catch from Kaleb Costner. Hamilton DiBoyan missed a 47-yard field goal for Austin Peay later in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Brandon Sims made a 24-yard field goal for Tennessee-Martin. In the third quarter, Austin Peay had a 3-yard touchdown run by D. Harper nullified by a personal foul. Parson then scored on an 18-yard run. On the next possession, Ta’Ron Haile intercepted Surber and returned the ball 18 yards for a touchdown. Parson later threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Sims. In the fourth quarter, M. Sims ran 8 yards for a touchdown.

Defensively for Tennessee-Martin, Jamarcus Smith recorded seven tackles. The 6-1, 230-pound linebacker from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., led the Skyhawks. Jamal Mayers added six tackles. The 5-10, 175-pound cornerback from Madison, Ala., was active in coverage. Zamaryion Farmer-McCray had seven tackles. The 6-0, 185-pound safety from Ocala, Fla., matched Smith for the team lead. Joel Castleberry finished with six tackles and one sack. The 6-0, 180-pound safety from Cleveland, Ohio, got to the quarterback once. Kaleb Costner caught a 3-yard touchdown pass. The 6-4, 235-pound tight end from Daytona Beach, Fla., gave the Skyhawks an early score. Jamauri Brice had one reception for 5 yards and one tackle. Deuce Oliver had one reception for 8 yards and one punt return for 6 yards. Anthony Carter caught two passes for 20 yards. Kaleb Washington had three receptions for 25 yards. Makhia Sherrard ran once for 2 yards and caught five passes for 85 yards. Jordan Beasley ran three times for 14 yards. Jaydon Peete ran nine times for 17 yards and caught two passes for 10 yards. Greg Ard ran four times for 37 yards. Chris Franklin ran 12 times for 63 yards and caught five passes for 19 yards. Tate Surber completed 20 of 27 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown.

Logan Leftrick punted four times for 143 yards for Austin Peay. The 6-1, 215-pound punter from Springfield, Tenn., helped flip field position. Hamilton DiBoyan handled kicking duties and made extra points. Hayden King had one tackle for Tennessee-Martin. Max Zuluaga punted six times for 281 yards. Brandon Sims made a 24-yard field goal and an extra point. Tre’Marcus Webb returned one kickoff for no yards. Alex Nolen, Andre Morris Jr., Kennarius Chandler, Rasheen Duncan, Trey Cotton, and Ant Fisher each had one tackle. Farand Washington had two tackles. Chris Wilson had three tackles and one sack. Malik Brown had three tackles and two sacks. LaMarion Pierce had four tackles. Brylan Jordan and Duston Chavis each had five tackles.

Jackson Head caught two passes for 26 yards for Austin Peay. The 6-3, 235-pound tight end from Woodstock, Ga., contributed in the passing game. Malik Denkins had five tackles and half a sack. Markell Redding had five tackles, half a sack and one quarterback hurry. Ta’Ron Haile had six tackles, one interception and a touchdown. Eli Jones had seven tackles. Keith Charney had seven tackles, one sack and one interception. Canaan Williams had seven tackles. Trevor Hardy had eight tackles. Ben Marshall caught one pass for 16 yards. Kelton Crisp had five tackles and one quarterback hurry. Jaden Robinson caught five passes for 65 yards. Corey Richardson caught two passes for 32 yards. Courtland Simmons caught three passes for 57 yards. Isaiah Groves ran twice for 5 yards. Caleb Merritt did not record a statistic for Austin Peay.

Tennessee-Martin entered the game after a win over Chicago State and losses to Central Arkansas, West Virginia and Memphis. Austin Peay entered after wins over Gardner-Webb, Morehead State and West Florida and a loss to Vanderbilt. Tennessee-Martin will next visit Tennessee State and later face Gardner-Webb, Western Illinois, Eastern Illinois, Charleston Southern, Lindenwood and Southeast Missouri State. Austin Peay will next host New Haven and later face Tarleton State, West Georgia, North Alabama, Eastern Kentucky, Abilene Christian and Central Arkansas.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Tennessee-Martin 41, Austin Peay 39. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Austin Peay with a 61 percent probability to win. Tennessee-Martin had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of +15.5. The total score of 47 went over the over/under line of 51.5. The projection and market information were part of the pregame outlook.