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Tarleton State University Athletics

UACChamps_TarletonStFB
44
Austin Peay APS 7-5 , 4-4
45
Winner Tarleton St. TAR 11-1 , 7-1
Austin Peay APS
7-5 , 4-4
44
Final
45
Tarleton St. TAR
11-1 , 7-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT F
APS Austin Peay 21 7 7 3 6 44
TAR Tarleton St. 7 7 14 10 7 45

Game Recap: Football | | Grant Cohen

Tarleton State clinches share of UAC championship with overtime win over Austin Peay

STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Another conference championship trophy is put in Tarleton State Football's case, with the Texans clinching a share of the United Athletic Conference title after a dramatic 45-44 overtime win over Austin Peay on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium. 

The win gives Tarleton State its first conference championship in the NCAA Division I era in football. It is Tarleton State Athletics' second regular season conference championship in the D1 era.

Trailing for most of the game, Tarleton State clawed its way back in the fourth quarter and forced overtime off a 41-yard field goal from junior kicker Corbin Poston in the closing seconds. Senior quarterback Victor Gabalis found junior wide receiver Cody Jackson for a 27-yard touchdown pass in overtime to take the lead. The Texans forced the Governors into an incomplete pass on their two-point conversion attempt that allowed Tarleton State to clinch the win and a share of the conference championship. 

Gabalis led Tarleton State's passing with 311 yards and three touchdowns. Junior running back Tylan Hines led the Texans' rushing attack with 215 yards and a touchdown. Jackson and senior wide receiver Trevon West both recorded 100-yard games, with Jackson tallying 116 yards to go with a pair of touchdowns. West had 100 yards off six receptions and a touchdown. 

"It's outstanding. Never giving up is who we are," head coach Todd Whitten said. "Being conference champions is unbelievable. I'm so happy for our players and our fans. Our players never gave up and stayed the course. That's what you have to do to win championships. I'm really grateful for this football team right here."

Austin Peay struck first and fast, only taking three plays to find the end zone and grab the opening lead. Tarleton State responded on its first drive, marching down to the red zone to get just two yards shy of a score. A pair of seniors came in the clutch on Senior Day, with quarterback Daniel Greek finding tight end Dawson Hearne for a touchdown on 4th and 1. 

The Governors answered back on their next offensive drive, finding the end zone again to take a 14-7 lead with 4:43 left in the first quarter. Austin Peay extended the lead thanks to a 45-yard touchdown pass to take a 14-point lead after the opening period. 

Tarleton State went to its passing game to claw its way back in the game. Victor Gabalis found Jackson for an 11-yard pass and later connected with junior wide receiver Marquis Willis for a 38-yard completion. Gabalis found Jackson again, this time to the end zone from 16 yards to make it a one-possession game. 

Austin Peay responded by using seven plays to score its fourth touchdown of the game with under seven minutes to play in the first half. The Governors finished with 347 yards of total offense to the Texans' 187 yards in the first half to take a 28-14 lead going into the locker room. 

The No. 1 scoring offense in the country did what they do best to start the second half: score. The Texans completed back-to-back passes and got a 21-yard run from Hines to start the third quarter. Gabalis capped off the opening drive of the second half by finding West for a 35-yard touchdown. 

After Tarleton State forced the Governors into a three and out, the Texans turned to their run game. Hines rushed up the middle for a 21-yard gain and later broke free for a 40-yard touchdown that tied the game. 

With both teams trading punts on their next possessions, the Governors were the ones to push out in front. Austin Peay quarterback Chris Parson scrambled and broke free for a 24-yard touchdown that gave the Governors a 35-28 lead entering the final period. 

The Governors marched down the field again eyeing another score in the fourth quarter, but the Texans had other plans. Parson aimed for a receiver in the end zone before senior defensive back Blake Smith picked off the pass to put the Texans' offense back on the field. 

The Texans used the fourth quarter to ignite a comeback. 

Three completed passes from Gabalis and a 20-yard run from Hines allowed the Texans to be seven yards away from a score. The senior quarterback took matters into his own hands to tie it up, carrying himself to a seven-yard touchdown with 3:33 left. 

Austin Peay looked to answer by driving down to Tarleton State's 20-yard line, only to be stopped short on third down and forced to kick the field goal. The Governors looked to stop the Texans' hopes of being conference champions on a 4th and 11, but Tarleton State kept the dream alive. Gabalis found West to get the first down and then again to put the Texans in field goal range. Poston forced overtime by drilling the 41-yard field goal with ease. 

Gaining possession first in the overtime, Gabalis found Jackson on the second play for a 27-yard touchdown to give the Texans the lead. Austin Peay answered back with a 25-yard touchdown on its first play from Parson before being forced into an incomplete pass on the two-point conversion. 

Tarleton State awaits its FCS Playoff seeding, with the FCS Playoffs Selection Show taking place on Sunday at 11 a.m. on ESPNU.
 
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