FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) — Austin Smith threw for 406 yards, four touchdowns and completed a program-record 88.5% of his passes as Austin Peay beat North Alabama 31-17 on Saturday in a game it never trailed.

Following a 37-yard field goal by Carson Smith for the Governors (4-5, 3-3 United Athletic), Smith threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to Jaden Barnes, followed by a 31-yard field goal to Barnes to close out the first half with a score. He completed a 14-yard touchdown pass to Romon Copeland Jr. for a 24-3 lead.

The Lions used the third quarter to get within a touchdown, with quarterback TJ Smith scoring a touchdown starting in the 14th minute and a half. With 5:40 left in the third quarter, Smith threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Ben Harris. reducing the deficit to 24-17.

Austin Peay capped the scoring with a 49-yard field goal to Barnes with 7:21 left. Smith completed 31 of 35 passes and Barnes had 12 catches for 241 yards and three touchdowns.

Austin Smith’s completion percentage is a single-game program record with a minimum of 10 passes thrown. In 2003, Jesse Kellogg broke the previous record with an 87.5% shooting rate against Kentucky Wesleyan.

Barnes’ reception total ties him with Drae McCray (2022 vs. Alabama), Pat Curran (2003, Kentucky Wesleyan) and Michael Farrell (1999, Virginia-Wise) for second-most in a single game in program history. His 241 yards rank second all-time in program history behind Harold Roberts’ 250 against Murray State in 1969.

TJ Smith threw for 278 yards and rushed for 62 yards for the Lions (3-6, 3-2).

Austin Peay has won the last three meetings between the two, including a 38-35 win at Braly Stadium in 2022 and a 49-39 victory in Clarksville last season.

Despite the Governors’ winning streak, North Alabama leads the all-time series with a 14-7 record.

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