CARROLLTON, Ga. (Interstat) — Austin Peay will visit West Georgia on Saturday in an NCAA Football Championship Division game at University Stadium (GA) in Carrollton, Ga., with the Governors aiming to build on a strong start and the Wolves seeking a breakthrough.

Austin Peay enters at 5-2. West Georgia is 1-5. The Governors have won five of seven, with their most recent result a 40-32 home loss to Tarleton State. In that game, quarterback Chris Parson completed 16 of 33 passes for 231 yards and one touchdown while rushing 26 times for 102 yards and two scores. Courtland Simmons added 20 rushing yards, 12 receiving yards and a 16-yard kickoff return, and Isaiah Groves ran four times for 17 yards. Earlier this season, Austin Peay beat New Haven 42-17, Tennessee-Martin 35-12, West Florida 38-16, Morehead State 63-7 and Gardner-Webb 35-17. Its other loss came at Vanderbilt, 28-9.

Parson is the player to watch for Austin Peay. In the New Haven win, he completed 19 of 23 passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns. Against Tennessee-Martin, he completed 17 of 21 passes for 254 yards and one touchdown and rushed 14 times for 82 yards and two scores. His dual-threat ability gives the Governors balance.

West Georgia has struggled to close games. The Wolves’ most recent outing was a 30-20 loss at Eastern Kentucky. Colton Fitzgerald completed 18 of 33 passes for 282 yards and one touchdown in that game. He also had one reception for a 12-yard loss. DK Daniel caught five passes for 62 yards and a touchdown, and Shammai Gates ran five times for 39 yards.

Fitzgerald is the player to watch for West Georgia. Against East Tennessee State, he completed 29 of 50 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns and ran four times for four yards. West Georgia’s lone win was 49-7 over Fort Valley State. The Wolves also lost to East Tennessee State 35-27, Arkansas State 52-7, Kennesaw State 47-0 and Chattanooga 24-10.

The Governors will look to control the line of scrimmage and lean on Parson’s arm and legs. West Georgia will need Fitzgerald to protect the ball and connect with Daniel and other receivers to keep pace. University Stadium (GA) will host the matchup.

After this matchup, Austin Peay is scheduled to face North Alabama, Eastern Kentucky, Abilene Christian and Central Arkansas. West Georgia is set to meet Tarleton State, Abilene Christian, Central Arkansas, North Alabama and West Florida in its upcoming games.

Interstat’s game simulator projects Austin Peay to beat West Georgia 45-34.