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Austin Peay is set for its second season under Jeff Faris and wants to improve on its 4-8 record from 2024.

Last season was the worst for Austin Peay football, record-wise, since it went winless in 2016. But it didn't feel like that much of a failure.

After coach Jeff Faris replaced Scotty Walden, who left for UTEP after leading APSU to a United Athletic Conference championship and its second-ever FCS playoffs appearance in 2023, the Governors went into 2024 with 59 new players. Despite the massive turnover, they were competitive in almost every game they played other than a blowout loss at Louisville, ultimately going 4-8 (3-5 UAC).

"We did not have the most talented team that we'll ever have at Austin Peay," Faris said. "Year 1 with the transition, that's a challenge. But our kids fought, and we were in the fourth quarter of every conference game."

While Austin Peay ended the season on a three-game losing streak, that streak included halftime leads of 13 points against Abilene Christian, which won the conference, and 17 points against Eastern Kentucky, which also reached the FCS playoffs.

The Governors, who were picked to finish sixth in the nine-team UAC in the league's preseason coaches poll, have emphasized finishing strong in 2025. Faris said they've practiced more "situational football" than at any other program he's been.

"We've really learned how to strain and keep going when it gets tough," center Chandler Kirton said, "when it gets hard, when you gotta go down and put together a two-minute drive or four-minute drive to close out a game."

Here's what else you need to know about Austin Peay, which opens its season Aug. 30 at Middle Tennessee State:

Chris Parson or Austin Smith at quarterback

Quarterback figures to be a position of strength for the Govs. Faris hasn't announced a starter, but the main competition has been between incumbent starter Austin Smith and Mississippi State transfer Chris Parson.

Smith started 11 games in 2024, throwing for 2,354 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing 63% of his passes. Parson, a 3-star at Ravenwood in 2022, started an SEC game for the Bulldogs as a freshman before redshirting in 2024.

"Both of those guys are great leaders," Kirton said. "They bring it every day. They're vocal leaders on the field, off the field. ... No matter who goes out there Week 1, they're prepared and they're wanting to lead us to victory."

Key returners include Chandler Kirton, Ellis Ellis Jr.

Kirton, a preseason All-UAC selection, is set to become a four-year starter. APSU will depend on Kirton's experience, but he'll have help from tight ends Jackson Head, who with 16 catches for 114 yards is the Govs' top returning receiver, and Alec Pell, who had a pair of TD receptions in 2024.

The Govs will lean on a trio of returners in the backfield: Corey Richardson, who averaged 6.2 yards on 47 carries as a freshman, as well as Kaden Williams and Davidson Academy product Courtland Simmons.

Ellis Ellis Jr., a redshirt junior from Hendersonville, was a preseason All-UAC selection at defensive back. Lineman Davion Hood is Peay's leading returning tackler, with 27 (seven for loss), 2.5 sacks and five QB pressures.

Kicker Carson Smith converted 13 of 20 field goal attempts last season and was the Govs' third preseason All-Conference pick.

Austin Peay defensive backs Ellis Ellis (29) and Sammy Anderson Jr. (5) during the Governors' 28-17 loss to Southern Utah Saturday afternoon in United Athletic Conference action at Fortera Stadium.

FBS-heavy transfer class, talented freshmen

Per Hero Sports, Faris brought in the fifth-best recruiting class in FCS for 2025. The Govs signed five three-stars, including running back Isaiah Groves, a 2023 Mr. Football winner at East Robertson.

APSU's portal class includes 23 transfers from FBS, giving them over 30 players on the roster with upper-division experience. Faris said Miami transfer Shemar Kirk, who played at McGavock, and Kennesaw State transfer Jaden Robinson have been camp standouts at wide receiver.

Staff changes include new defensive coordinator

Tripp Weaver, the Govs' defensive coordinator last season, was let go and replaced by Greg Jones, who filled the same role at Tennessee Tech. In Jones' lone season in Cookeville, the Golden Eagles held opponents to 18.3 points per game against FCS opponents; APSU allowed 25.1.

Lucas Reed is APSU's new special teams coordinator, and the secondary got a major overhaul with cornerbacks coach Rodney Saulsberry and safeties coach Ben Thaw.