Jonathan Smith
6′0″, 185 lbs
Wide Receiver
Jonesboro High School
Jonesboro, Georgia

Jonathan Smith is a two-sport (baseball and football) athlete from Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro, Georgia.  Smith has excellent hands and has a great combination of power and speed. His 40-yard dash time is 4.5 seconds. Although signed as a wide receiver, Smith has played running back, cornerback, safety, and outside linebacker in high school.

Smith is also a versatile kick returner (see video below) who chose Austin Peay over Murray State and Troy. He has excellent football genes, with cousins Reggie Brown and Jamie Henderson having both played for the University of Georgia. Brown now plays wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles. Jonesboro Head Coach De’Timothy Floyd describes Smith as a practical joker and a hard worker.

Jonathan Smith Interview
Any pregame rituals/superstitions?

I like to listen to my iPod and get “spatted.” Then, I like to talk to my quarterback.

What’s on your iPod (or mp3 player)?

I have a variety of music on my iPod, but its mostly rap.

Favorite movie? TV show?

My favorite movies are Stepbrothers and Avatar. My favorite tv show is Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

What player would you compare your game to (NFL or college)?

I would compare my game to Devin Hester because of his versatility. He can play many positions, and so can I.

What is your favorite sport besides football? Do you play any other sports?

I also enjoy watching basketball and playing baseball.

Tell us something we don’t know about you (Hobbies, etc)

I really don’t talk much when first meeting people. I like to play Xbox 360 and spend time with my friends.

Wide receiver Jonathan Smith as he signs his letter of intent to play for Austin Peay State University. Photo from Atlanta Journal Constitution.

What do you consider is the strongest facet of your game? What do you need to work on the most?

I consider my vision, hands, and speed to be the strongest facets of my game. I want to further improve my speed.

What made you choose Austin Peay? What do you want to major in?

Coach Sidney and his staff really impressed me throughout the recruiting process. They were professional and informed me about the positive things in their program. I am undecided about my major.

Who is the best player you have played with? And against?

The best player I have played with is Michael Carlisle (linebacker concurrently considering Mississippi State, MTSU, and others) and the best player I have played against is Clarence Jackson (linebacker signed with Ole Miss).

Who is the biggest inspiration in your life?

The biggest inspiration in my life is my cousin, Jamie Henderson. His football career was cut short due to a motorcycle crash, but he never lost his drive, ambition, or faith.

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Discussion can be found here.

Gametime:  6 pm

Location:  Governor’s Stadium, Clarksville, TN

Radio:  Solid Gospel 105 FM

On Demand Video:  OVCSports.tv

Live Blogging:  http://www.apsugovernors.com

Live Stats/GameTracker:  http://www.apsugovernors.com/liveStats/liveStats.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=16900

Preview

This is a strictly by the numbers preview of the upcoming football game between the Austin Peay State University Governors and the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels.  Austin Peay comes into the game 2-4 (1-2), having lost games against Youngstown State, Illinois State, Eastern Illinois, and Tennessee Tech.  Their two wins were against Newberry College and a miraculous come from behind victory at SEMO.  Eastern Kentucky comes into the game 4-2 (4-1), with wins over Tennessee Tech, Murray State, Eastern Illinois, and UT-Martin.  Below is a breakdown of the conference standings and major statistical categories for each school.

Conference Standings

APSU Key Players:

QB Jake Ryan:  52.6% completion, 0 TDs, 4 Ints, 25.0 pass yds/game 

RB Ryan White:  116.3 yds/game, 5.9 yds/carry, 2 TD

RB Terrence Holt:  64.0 yds/game, 5.1 yds/carry, 8 TDs 

WR Adrian Mines:  24.7 yds/game, 12.3 yds/catch

Eastern Kentucky Key Players:

QB TJ Pryor:  61.7% completion, 4 TDs, 3 Int, 194.8 pass yds/game, 26.0 rush yds/game, 2 rush TDs 

RB CJ Walker: 67.2 yds/game, 3.8 yds/carry, 5 TDs

WR Garnett Phelps:  76.7 yds/game, 16.4 yds/catch, 2 TDs

Discussion for this post can be found here:

http://www.apsugovs.com/messageboards/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=32

What we’re saying:

What they’re saying:

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Gametime:  1 pm

Location:  Houck Stadium, Cape Girardeau, Mo

Radio:  Solid Gospel 105 FM

On Demand Video:  OVCSports.tv

Live Blogging:  http://www.apsugovernors.com

Live Stats/GameTracker:  http://www.apsugovernors.com/liveStats/liveStats.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=16900

Preview

This is a strictly by the numbers preview of the upcoming football game between the Austin Peay State University Governors and the Southeast Missouri State Red Hawks.  Austin Peay comes into the game 1-4, having lost its last four games against Youngstown State, Illinois State, Eastern Illinois, and Tennessee Tech.  Their lone win was against Newberry College.  SEMO also comes into the game 1-4, with loses to Cincinnati, Eastern Illinois, UT Martin, and Tennessee State.  There lone win came against Qunicy.  Below is a breakdown of the conference standings and major statistical categories for each school.

Conference Standings

Team Statistics

APSU Statistical Leaders:

QB Gary Orr:  56.9% completion, 2 TDs, 5 Ints, 149.7 pass yds/game

RB Ryan White:  94.0 yds/game, 5.4 yds/carry, 1 TD

RB Terrence Holt:  56.8 rush yds/game, 5.4 yds/carry, 6 TDs, 16.8 receiving yds/game, 10.5 yds/catch, 0 TDs

WR Scott Thomas:  26.8 yds/game, 19.1 yds/catch, 1 TDs

SEMO Statistical Leaders:

QB Matt Scheible:  52.6% completion, 5 TDs, 6 Int, 177.6 pass yds/game

RB Henry Harris: 51.8 yds/game, 5.8 yds/carry, 4 TDs

WR Miles Edwards:  51.2 yds/game, 14.2 yds/catch, 2 TDs

What we’re saying:
Govs look to right ship

What they’re saying:

Southeast, Austin Peay both have something to prove Saturday

Football hosts Austin Peay on Homecoming Saturday

This is our segment to be featured every week about how to talk to a Murray State University fan about anything. The idea being, if you are unfortunate enough to know any Racer fans, then you know they are going to be ready to talk about every single misstep the Govs made this past week. Besides speaking slowly (just kidding Murray fans), our advice is to follow this list of topics to highlight and topics to avoid when speaking to a Racer fan. We hope this is also a good way to highlight both the positive and negative things to take away from the game. By the way, Murray fans are always welcome and we only kid because of the rivalry.

TOPICS TO AVOID
1. Penalties, Penalties, PENALTIES!
13 penalties for 138 yards!!! Penalties were the difference in the game. Whether it was setting up third and longs or offsetting penalties committed by Tennessee Tech, lack of discipline continually made the game more difficult. On one play, the center snapped the ball while QB Gary Orr’s arms were at his sides. There were multiple personal foul penalties, not to mention an obvious pass interference call that set up Tech’s first field goal. The most telling statistic: 25% of Tech’s first downs came from penalties.

2. Pass Defense
Not much to say except, there is too much cushion being given to wide receivers, allowing the other team to pick us apart. Maybe Coach Christophel does not think we have the talent at corner to play up, but something is going to have to be done or else this will be a common occurrence. Tech came into the game averaging just 145.7 passing yards per game and only had 2 passing touchdowns all season. Last night, the Golden Eagles passed for 244 yards and 3 touchdowns. WR Antonio Robinson finished the game with 130 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns.

3. Blocked Extra Point
This was probably the biggest play of the game. While Tech did score another touchdown after, it took all the pressure off of them. Instead of having a tie game and needing to score to win, Tech had the lead and could just run out the clock. They did eventually throw for an additional 46 yard touchdown.

4. Time of Possession
The Golden Eagles controlled the ball for over 10 minutes in the first quarter resulting in a touchdown and a field goal. The time of possession did even out over the course of the game to where APSU actually finished controlling the ball more overall. Part of the reason for the evening out, was the ease with which Tech was able to score. Tech had scoring drives lasting just 2:10 and 0:46. APSU allowed Tech to convert 50% of their third downs and let’s not forget the 13 penalties.

TOPICS TO HIGHLIGHT
1. Running Backs
Ryan White and Terrance Holt again showed why they are the focal point of the offense. White finished with 100 yards rushing, averaging 4.5 yards a carry. Holt finished with 73 yard rushing, 8 yards receiving, 132 return yards, and 2 touchdowns. The two routinely broke tackles and made plays to extend drives. The offensive line did a pretty good job of opening holes and only allowing one sack.

2. Gary Orr
QB Gary Orr was solid. Not spectacular, but was able to throw the ball down the field a little more this game. Most importantly, no interceptions. He tried a couple of times, but fortunately they were not picked. Orr finished with 198 yards rushing and a touchdown. Orr also lowered his head and ran for some hard fought yards at times.

3. Rush Defense
For the second straight week, APSU held a team below its season average of rushing yards and yards per carry. Tech managed just 70 rushing yards and 2.3 yards per carry. It is difficult to tell if Tech is a good rushing team, as they were only averaging 105.7 yards per game coming in. This number is skewed by the fact they managed -12 rushing yards against Kansas State and 256 yards against Pikeville College. In their only other game, Eastern Kentucky allowed them 80 yards rushing. Since the APSU defense held them to 2.3 yards per carry we will give them the benefit of the doubt and not attribute this to the weakness of the pass defense.

4. Receivers
The Govs have very large receivers, with Ashlon Adams, Scott Thomas, and Adrian Mines going 6’4”, 6’2”, and 6’3” respectively. When Orr gets the ball out to these guys, they catch the ball. Orr underthrew a sure touchdown to one of the guys sprinting down the middle of the field. These guys are underused, with APSU running 43 rushing plays and just 23 passing plays. All three have potential to be big contributors, and all three are underclassmen. Hopefully a season and a summer working together with Gary Orr will pay dividends for next season.

Discussion for this post can be found at:
http://www.apsugovs.com/messageboards/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=23

Gametime:  7 pm

Location:  Tucker Stadium, Cookeville, TN

Radio:  Solid Gospel 105 FM

On Demand Video:  OVCSports.tv

Live Blogging:  http://www.apsugovernors.com

Live Stats/GameTracker:  http://www.apsugovernors.com/liveStats/liveStats.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=16900

Preview

This is a strictly by the numbers preview of the upcoming football game between the Austin Peay State University Governors and the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles.  Austin Peay comes into the game 1-3, having lost its last three games against Youngstown State, Illinois State, and Eastern Illinois.  Their lone win was against Newberry College.  Tennessee Tech comes into the game 1-2, with loses to Eastern Kentucky and Kansas State.  There lone win came against Pikeville College.  Below is a the current conference standings and the breakdown of the major statistical categories for each school.

Current Ohio Valley Conference Standings

APSU Statistical Leaders:

QB Gary Orr:  53.1% completion, 1 TDs, 5 Ints, 125.5 pass yds/game

RB Ryan White:  92.5 yds/game, 5.7 yds/carry, 1 TD

RB Terrence Holt:  53.2 rush yds/game, 5.5 yds/carry, 4 TDs, 19.0 receiving yds/game, 10.9 yds/catch, 0 TDs

WR Darryl Miller:  30.0 yds/game, 18.0 yds/catch, 2 TDs

Tennessee Tech Statistical Leaders:

QB Lee Sweeney:  58.1% completion, 2 TDs, 2 Int, 135.0 pass yds/game

RB Tremaine Hudson: 44.7 yds/game, 5.8 yds/carry, 1 TDs

WR Tim Benford:  45.0 yds/game, 13.5 yds/catch, 0 TDs

Discussion of this post can be found at this link:

http://www.apsugovs.com/messageboards/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=21

What we’re saying:

Govs-Golden Eagles open 2009 Sergeant York Trophy series

APSU loosing turnover battles

What they’re saying:
Brown foscused on Govs, not Christophel

This is our new segment to be featured every week about how to talk to a Murray State University fan about anything.  The idea being, if you are unfortunate enough to know any Racer fans, then you know they are going to be ready to talk about every single misstep the Govs made this past week.  Besides speaking slowly (just kidding Murray fans), our advice is to follow this list of topics to highlight and topics to avoid when speaking to a Racer fan.  We hope this is also a good way to highlight both the positive and negative things to take away from the game.  By the way, Murray fans are always welcome and we only kid because of the rivalry.

TOPICS TO AVOID

1.  The First Quarter

Nothing good can come of bringing up the first quarter.  On their first possession, the Govs luckily picked up a first down on a questionable spot on fourth down, QB Gary Orr was nearly picked off, WR Ashlon Adams got a 15 yard personal foul penalty, and P Ryan Key’s punt was blocked and recovered just inside the AP 10.  EIU QB Jake Christensen converted a 3^rd and goal for the touchdown to TE Danny Vehovic, running almost the exact same play-action pass they ran on 2^nd down.

The second possession was a three and out series.  Key’s punt took an EIU bounce, landing at the EIU 45 before bouncing back to the APSU 29.  The Govs missed a golden opportunity for the sack on first down, as Christensen avoided a tackle and completed a 23 yard pass down the field.  EIU converted another third and goal to go up 14-0 with over seven minutes left in the first quarter.

APSU’s third possession was another three and out, but not before the Govs picked up a false start penalty and allowed Orr to be sacked twice.  Key was forced to punt from one step inside his own endzone, with EIU returning it for 3 yards to the AP 41.  EIU drove the ball down to the goal line before Christensen fumbled after a bad exchange with the center.  Interestingly this came after EIU fumbled four times inside of SEMO’s 25 last week.  The Govs managed to pick up another false start penalty before the quarter ended with the score 14-0.

Outside of the APSU defense, who was continually placed in the unfortunate circumstance of having to defend a very short field, the biggest victim of the first quarter was Legends Bank.  Legends Bank sponsors the first downs for APSU.  Who knows how much Legends spent to have their name announced just once in the first quarter.  For the game though, APSU had 14 first downs, while EIU had 12.

Another bad first quarter stat: EIU’s average starting field position during the first quarter was the APSU 27 yard line.

2.  Turnovers

Turnovers were a killer last night.  APSU had two drives ended because of fumbles.  One resulted in a field goal for EIU and the other killed a critical drive early in the fourth quarter at the EIU 29.  Orr also had a careless pass intercepted as time expired in the first half.

3.  The Secondary

These guys did not look great, but it was a makeshift secondary.  People had to play out of position due to injuries and suspensions.  That said, if you step on the field you have to perform.  The DBs were playing too far off the receivers and there were several plays where there was not a red jersey in sight when an EIU receiver caught the ball.

TOPICS TO HIGHLIGHT

1.  Quarters 2, 3, and 4

After giving up 14 points in the first quarter, the Govs outscored EIU 20-16 the rest of the game.  In the second half, APSU scored two touchdowns while allowing only two field goals.  The Govs would have had more points except for a fumble on the EIU 29.  The Govs were 3-3 on their red zone trips as well.  APSU actually had an outside chance to win the game.  After scoring a touchdown late in the fourth, the Govs failed to convert a two-point conversion that would have made it a one possession game and set up an onside kick.  Also keep in mind APSU was without three starters due to suspension.

2.  Govs D

While the Govs did allow 30 points, 14 were the result of penalties, a blocked kick, and a bad bounce on a punt.  The Govs held an offense that had average over 400 yards of total offense a game to just 243 yards.  EIU managed just 51 yards rushing after averaging over 200 yards in their first three games.  EIU averaged just 1.8 yards per carry.

3.  EIU is Extremely Talented

The Govs played well (outside of the first quarter) against an extremely talented EIU team featuring several players who have played at BCS schools.  QB Jake Christenson actually started for Iowa two seasons ago.  Running backs Mon Williams and Chevon Walker both transferred in from Florida.  RB Jimmy Potempa transferred from Michigan.  K Ausin Signor also transferred from Iowa and, as everyone saw last night, has an extremely powerful and accurate leg.  OL Otis Hudson formerly played at Minnesota.  The team also features several other players from D-1 schools.

4.  The Govs Have Weapons

RB Terrence Holt and RB Ryan White are weapons.  Period.  Head coach Rick Christophel’s playcalling shows that he agrees.  Christophel routinely called run plays and short passes to both players designed to get the ball in their hands as quickly as possible.  On third and long, Christophel chose to throw short and let Holt or White use their playmaking abilities to pick up first downs.  This playcalling also shows that Christophel is not sold on the abilities of his quarterback, although as the game went on Orr was allowed to throw down field some.  Holt had 224 all-purpose yards with 2 rushing touchdowns.  He was also responsible for both lost fumbles, so he will have to protect the ball better.  White had 80 all-purpose yards.

5.  The biggest topic to highlight is Murray State had just 12 yards rushing and had three interceptions against EKU last night.

Discussion for this post can be found at this link.

http://www.apsugovs.com/messageboards/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14

Or visit Peaymania.com.

Preview
This is a strictly by the numbers preview of the upcoming football game between the Austin Peay State University Governors and the Eastern Illinois University Panthers. Austin Peay comes into the game 1-2, having lost its last two games against Youngstown State and Illinois State. Their lone win was against Newberry College. Eastern Illinois comes into the game 3-0, with wins over Illinois State, Indiana State, and Southeast Missouri State. Below are the current conference standings and a breakdown of the major statistical categories for each school.

Current Conference Standings

Statistical Breakdown

APSU Statistical Leaders:
QB Trent Caffee:  50% completion, 2 TDs, 2 Ints, 80.7 pass yds/game

RB Ryan White:  99.0 yds/game, 5.8 yds/carry, 1 TD

WR Darryl Miller:  30.0 yds/game, 18.0 yds/catch, 2 TDs

Eastern Illinois Statistical Leaders:
QB Jake Christensen:  72.3% completion, 6 TDs, 1 Int, 201.3 pass yds/game, 12.5 rush yds/game

RB Mon Williams: 106.3 yds/game, 6.8 yds/carry, 4 TDs

WR Lorence Ricks:  60.3 yds/game, 22.6 yds/catch, 2 TDs

Discussion on this post can be found at this link.
http://www.apsugovs.com/messageboards/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4

What we’re saying:
OVC’s struggle against FCS teams continues
Who will quarterback the Govs?
Three APSU football players suspended
Govs working kinks out of 4-2-5 defense
Three APSU football players arrested and suspended

What they’re saying:
Panthers ranked #24 in this week’s FCS rankings
Banged-up Austin Peay still deciding on a QB to face Panthers
Football Continues Road Swing At Austin Peay

What everyone else is saying:
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