Austin Peay Routed New Haven, 42-17

The No. 11 ranked Governors dominated the game behind four touchdown passes from Chris Parson.

Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Football

Austin Peay secured a decisive 42-17 victory over New Haven in Clarksville. The No. 11 ranked Governors leveraged an explosive passing performance and two special teams scores to maintain a significant lead throughout the match.

Why it matters

The win solidifies Austin Peay's standing in the national rankings as the team maintains its momentum early in the season. Consistent high-level execution on both offense and special teams continues to define their competitive edge.

Chris Parson completed 19 of 23 passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns. Denver Harper contributed to the effort with an 82-yard punt return touchdown and a score off a 56-yard missed field goal attempt.

The players

Chris Parson

He serves as the quarterback for the Austin Peay Governors football team.

Denver Harper

He is a playmaker for Austin Peay known for his contributions on special teams.

Niko Boyce

He is the quarterback for the New Haven football program.

Austin Peay

This is a public university located in Clarksville, Tennessee, that competes in the FCS.

The details

Quarterback Chris Parson orchestrated the offense with scoring strikes to Ben Marshall, Sims, and Robinson. While the aerial attack flourished, the team totaled 45 rushing yards against a New Haven defense led by Niko Boyce, who threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns.

The game took place on October 3, 2026.
Austin Peay plays Tarleton State on October 10, 2026.
New Haven faces Robert Morris on October 17, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This win keeps Austin Peay firmly in the conversation for high-stakes post-season opportunities. Maintaining this level of performance is critical for the team to improve its standing within the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 rankings.

The Governors' dominance was bolstered by two special teams touchdowns, which significantly inflated the final 42-17 margin. This outcome provides a massive boost to the team's efficiency ratings for the remainder of the season.

The takeaway

The game demonstrated the high-reward nature of aggressive special teams play. Governors fans should look for continued reliance on this unit to create scoring opportunities when the offense is off the field.