Know Your Enemy: Austin Peay Governors
By Zach Ragan
Apr 20, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers fans line up for autographs before the spring Orange and White game at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Who: Austin Peay Governors – Clarksville, TN
Distance From Knoxville: 225 miles
Conference: Ohio Valley Conference
2012 Record: 2-9 (1-7)
All-Time Series: This is the first ever meeting between the two programs.
The Tennessee Volunteers will open their 2013 season on Saturday against the Austin Peay Governors, in Knoxville, TN.
Austin Peay found themselves this off-season in a situation very similar to what the Vols went through in early 2010.
Long-time coach Rick Christophel left the team in early February to become the tight ends coach for the Arizona Cardinals. The Governors, much like Tennessee with Lane Kiffin’s departure in 2010, were forced to scramble and find a new head coach.
On March 18 the Governors hired Kirby Cannon, who had been part of the staff at Central Michigan that ironically enough replaced Butch Jones.
The Governors, who typically play in front of home crowds that total around 10,000 fans, have been preparing for the loud Neyland crowd by practicing with loud “1970’s music” blaring through the loud-speakers.
During fall camp Governors head coach Kirby Cannon said “”It is going to be loud at Neyland…..our guys have to get used to those type of distractions.”
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