Chase Artopoeus has two TD passes, TD run as Chattanooga tops Austin Peay 24-17 in season finale
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- — Chase Artopoeus threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score to lead Chattanooga to a 24-17 victory over Austin Peay in a nonconference regular-season finale on Saturday.
Chattanooga (7-5) jumped out to a 10-0 first-quarter lead on Jude Kelley's 28-yard field goal and Artopoeus' 9-yard touchdown toss to Javin Whatley with 42 seconds left. The score came five plays after Alex Mitchell intercepted a pass from Austin Smith, giving the Mocs the ball at the Governors' 26-yard line.
Austin Peay answered in the second quarter with help from a Chattanooga turnover. Ellis Ellis Jr. picked off Artopoeus and the Governors took over at the Mocs' 30. Smith completed three straight passes — the last one covering 4 yards to Jaden Barnes to get Austin Peay within three points. Carson Smith followed with a 35-yard field goal to tie it at 10.
Chattanooga regained the lead with 4:01 left in the third quarter when Artopoeus capped a nine-play drive with a 3-yard touchdown run.
Smith had a 23-yard touchdown run to get Austin Peay within seven with 8:08 left in the game. The Governors drove to the Mocs' 30, but Smith's fourth-down pass fell incomplete with 41 seconds to go.
Artopoeus completed 15 of 21 passes for 161 yards for Chattanooga. He had a 7-yard scoring toss to John McIntyre to put the Mocs up 24-10 early in the final quarter.
Smith finished with 192 yards on 21-for-36 passing for Austin Peay, which finishes its first season under head coach Jeff Faris with a 4-8 record.
Rusty Wright became the first Chattanooga coach to finish .500 or better in each of his first six seasons.
Chattanooga snapped Austin Peay's nine-game win streak with a 24-21 victory on the road to close out the regular season last year.
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Game Information
2024 Southern Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Mercer | 7-1 | 10-2 |
| Western Carolina | 6-2 | 7-5 |
| Chattanooga | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| East Tennessee State | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Samford | 3-4 | 4-7 |
| The Citadel | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| Wofford | 3-5 | 5-6 |
| Furman | 2-5 | 3-8 |
| VMI | 1-7 | 1-11 |
2024 United Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Abilene Christian | 7-1 | 8-4 |
| Tarleton State | 6-2 | 9-3 |
| Eastern Kentucky | 6-2 | 8-4 |
| Southern Utah | 6-2 | 7-5 |
| Central Arkansas | 3-5 | 6-6 |
| Austin Peay | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| North Alabama | 3-5 | 3-9 |
| West Georgia | 1-7 | 4-7 |
| Utah Tech | 1-7 | 1-11 |
NCAAF News
