NASHVILLE – Austin Peay’s Mark Hudspeth and Kordell Jackson were voted the Tennessee Sports Writers Association College Football Coach and Player of the Year, respectively, for the 2019 season, as announced this week.
Hudspeth led the Govs to their first OVC championship since 1977, the program's first-ever nine-win regular season and their first-ever FCS playoff appearance. APSU won their first two playoff games before falling in the quarterfinals at Montana State.
Hudspeth was named the 2019 Ohio Valley Conference's Roy Kidd Coach of the Year Award winner in his first season leading the program. He finished third in the STATS FCS Eddie Robinson Award voting (National Coach of the Year) and earned AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year. The Govs set program single-season records in scoring (518 points), touchdowns (69), passing yards (3,594), passing touchdowns (32), total offense (6,288 yards), yards per game (419.2) and rushing touchdowns (34).
Austin Peay ranked among the nation's Top 10 in fourth-down conversion defense (35.5 percent, 10th), fumbles lost (four, 7th), rushing defense (104.1 yards per game, 8th) and sacks allowed (1.00, 8th).
Jackson garnered First Team All-America honors from six different organizations, including the Associated Press FCS All-America Team. He was named the FCS ADA Defensive Back of the Year, tallying seven interceptions (one off the national lead), and was responsible for 10 of the Govs’ 25 turnovers gained. He also scored three defensive touchdowns, two by interception and one on a fumble return.
The Birmingham, Ala., native posted 43 total tackles, 7.0 for loss, along with two sacks and was a key part of an Austin Peay defense that ranked 12th nationally in total defense (307.5 yards per game), 15th in pass efficiency defense (115.98) and 18th in scoring defense (20.6 points per game).