McKinney Throws For 396 Yards and Three Touchdowns
RICHMOND, Ky. – November 4, 2023
In a battle between the last two undefeated teams in the United Athletic Conference slate, No. 17/19 Austin Peay outlasts EKU’s comeback effort for a 33-30 win in overtime on Saturday night at CG Bank Field at Roy Kidd Stadium.
Austin Peay opened the contest with settling for three points after EKU’s defense made a stop near the 20 yard marker, kicker Maddux Trujillo chipped in the kick from 38 yards.
EKU responded with two minutes left in the first quarter as quarterback Parker McKinney lobbed a ball to tight end Hunter Brown in the back of the endzone for the first touchdown of the evening. The Colonels’ point after attempts was rejected at the line to limit the score to 6-3 in the home team’s favor.
Just one minute later, Austin Peay’s DiLiello found wide out 42 yards downfield for the score in a quick three-play, 59-yard drive to go up 10-6.
Despite a combined 16 points to end the first quarter, EKU and APSU combined for 167 yards in the following two quarters to create a 10-6 stalemate entering the final 15 minutes of play.
A Colonel defensive stop forced an Austin Peay 33-yard field goal attempt that the Govs split through the uprights for a 13-6 lead. DiLiello would connect a 52-yard pass for six in APSU’s next possession to extend the lead 20-6.
The Colonels showed signs of life on their next two drives with Braedon Sloan punching in a 4-yard touchdown run to bring EKU within one score at 20-13 with seven minutes to go. With 2:18 left on the clock, McKinney connected with Jaden Smith for a 4-yard touchdown pass to even the game at 20 all.
DiLiello, who entered play on Saturday as the defending FCS National Offensive Player of the Week, completed his third touchdown pass of the night to Kenny Odom to give the Governors a seven-point lead with 39 ticks on the clock remaining.
EKU’s McKinney led a 7-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a 11-yard Jalen Burbage touchdown reception to once again even the contest and force the Colonels’ second overtime game of the season.
Austin Peay elected to defer, which gave the Colonels the ball on the 25-yard line. Despite EKU advancing the ball to the 2-yard line, the Colonels were forced to settle for a field goal which was converted by Patrick Nations for the 30-27 lead.
In APSU’s chance at offense, DiLiello completed a 25-yard pass to Tre Shackelford for his fourth touchdown pass of the night to seal the victory for the Govs in overtime. The win moved Austin Peay to the outright leader atop the UAC standings at 4-0.
Despite the loss, McKinney led the quarterback duel connecting on 34-of-52 passes for 396 yards and three touchdowns.
On the defensive side of the ball, EKU linebacker Logan Blake led the Colonels with 18 tackles and was credited with 1.5 sacks. His 18 tackles on Saturday pushes Blake’s total to 114 on the season and marks his fifth game this year with 15-or-more tackles.
DiLiello ended his night completing 18 passes for 310 yards. Wide out Thomas caught 10-of-18 of DiLiello’s passes for 204 yards and two TD’s.
On the ground for APSU, Jevon Jackson rushed for 120 yards on 25 attempts.
EKU (4-5, 3-1 UAC) will hit the road to face No. 25 Central Arkansas on the road next weekend with the UAC slate winding down.
