CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Despite starting 5-0, there was chatter that Tarleton State still had something to prove entering Saturday's game at Austin Peay in the first top-10 ranked matchup in United Athletic Conference history. The Texans are now 6-0 – consider that their statement made.
The No. 2/3 Texans (6-0, 1-0 UAC) earned their highest ranked victory in their NCAA Division I era in Clarksville, Tennessee, defeating No. 8/9 Austin Peay (5-2, 1-1 UAC) 40-32 at Fortera Stadium. The Texans were the better team throughout a rainy contest, outgaining the Governors 481-386, leading by 20 at different stretches in the second and third quarters, and leading for the final 49:42 of the game.
Tarleton State improved to 3-0 all-time against Austin Peay, with a 2-0 mark in Clarksville. This was the Texans' second ranked road win in their D1 era, adding to their 2023 win at No. 18 Central Arkansas. The Texans won their fifth straight conference opener and are 9-1 in conference openers since 2016. Since the beginning of 2025, the Texans are now 17-1 in the regular season with an active winning streak at eight. Tarleton State is 12-1 over its past 13 regular season games on the road, dating back to 2024.
The Texans, who entered the game No. 1 in the FCS in total offense and fifth in scoring, kept their hot offense going. They scored 40 points for the third straight game and for the fourth time in six games this year. They are now averaging 39.5 points per game on the year.
Quarterback
Kaden Anderson kept his stellar campaign going, completing 22-of-34 passes for 347 yards, three touchdowns, and his first interception of the season.
Miequle Brock led the Texan rushing attack with 106 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, averaging 6.6 yards per carry.
Tanner Schmidt recorded 121 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions in his return from injury.
Marquis Willis scored his fifth receiving touchdown of the year, with 97 yards on four receptions.
Kyle Thompson and
Markellus Bass added receiving touchdowns, as well, with
James Paige connecting with Bass in the fourth quarter for his first touchdown pass of the year.
Tarleton State's defense forced Austin Peay quarterback Chris Parson to 48.5 percent passing, as he completed 16-of-33 passes for 231 yards and one touchdown. Parson had 26 of Austin Peay's 36 carries, rushing for 102 yards and two touchdowns, a 3.9 YPC average. The Texans sacked Parson three times, with
Kaleb Brown earning a pair, to go with a forced fumble and four total tackles.
Lance Carson also earned a sack, finishing with 1.5 TFL, four tackles and a QB hurry.
Omar Emmons had a forced fumble,
Kenyan Kelly had a fumble recovery,
Kam Robinson had a blocked punt, and
Avian Rice led the team in tackles with eight, to go with a pass breakup.
Austin Peay opened the game's scoring with a field goal at the 7:37 mark in the first quarter. Tarleton State countered with the game's first touchdown, driving 75 yards in under three minutes, with Anderson finding a wide open Schmidt in the middle of the field for a 34-yard touchdown. On Austin Peay's next drive, Brown had a sack-fumble of Parson, then Robinson blocked the Governors' punt, giving Tarleton State the ball at the 6-yard line.
Alejandro De La Poza converted a 20-yard field goal to pad the Texan lead to 10-3. On the ensuing kickoff, Austin Peay muffed it, and Kelly recovered to put the Texans back in great field position.
On the first play in the second quarter, Anderson threw a 6-yard touchdown to Thompson, giving the Texans a 16-3 lead after a failed extra point. Tarleton State forced a punt, then drove down the field for another touchdown to go up by 20, a 16-yard Brock touchdown rush on fourth down. The Govs countered with their first touchdown, a Parson 3-yard scoring run with 2:42 left in the second quarter to make it 23-10 Tarleton State. The Texans drove back into the Governors' red zone, but Anderson threw his first interception of the year, Tarleton State's only second turnover of the season, with 24 seconds left in the half. Halftime hit with the Texans leading 23-10.
The Govs opened the third quarter with the ball, but the Texans forced a quick three-and-out, then built a touchdown drive on their opening possession of the third. Anderson connected with Willis for a 5-yard touchdown to put the Texans ahead 30-10. The Governors strung together a long drive and capped it off with a 1-yard Parson touchdown rush to make it a 30-17 game, which was the score after three.
De La Poza opened the fourth quarter with his second field goal of the game, a 32-yarder, making it 33-17 Tarleton State. The Governors made it a one-possession game on the next drive, with Matthew Wilson scoring from a yard out, and Parson succeeding on the two-point conversion, making it 33-25. The Texans quickly answered with Paige in the wildcat formation, a 4-yard touchdown pass to Bass to make it 40-25 with 7:55 to play. Parson connected with Denver Harper for an 11-yard touchdown with 3:47 to play. The Texans nearly ran out the rest of the clock on offense, with the Govs taking over at their own 31-yard line with nine seconds left. Austin Peay gave a last gasp with a Hail Mary in the end zone, but it fell incomplete.
The Texans are 6-0 for the second straight season, one of four undefeated teams remaining across the FCS. The Purple and White will next host Central Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium on Homecoming.
