Mitchell's kick return, Tisdale's pick-6 lead Eastern Kentucky's 34-20 upset over Austin Peay

Oct 12, 2025, 06:59 am

RICHMOND, Ky. -- — T.J. Mitchell III returned a kickoff 100 yards for touchdown, Vito Tisdale added a 19-yard pick-6, and Eastern Kentucky rallied to beat Austin Peay 34-20 on Saturday.

Eastern Kentucky (3-3, 1-1 United Athletic Conference) didn't score an offensive touchdown until 4:33 remaining, when Myles Burkett scored on a quarterback keeper to give the Colonels their first lead.

The Colonels had 68 total yards at halftime and zero rushing yards, but were led by special teams. Mitchell took a kickoff the length of the field with 53 seconds left in the first quarter.

They trailed 17-7 inside the final two minutes of the first half, but a 43-yard field goal from Buzz Flabiano and Tisdale's pick-six knotted things up.

No. 16 in the FCS coaches poll, Austin Peay (4-3, 2-2) retook the lead with an eight-play, 74-yard field goal drive in the span of 60 seconds to end the half.

Flabiano missed a 46-yard field goal, then responded with a career-long 51-yarder later in the third quarter to knot it at 20-20.

The Colonels got a fourth-and-1 stop with 11:11 left in the fourth on a failed keeper from Chris Parson. Their ensuing drive was extended due to a personal foul call on Myles Wiley, and Burkett scored to take the first lead of the game.

Governors receiver Jaden Robinson had eight catches for 145 yards, but dropped a surefire conversion on third-and-11 with 2:59 remaining.

Three plays later, Brady Hensley broke free for a 72-yard touchdown run to double the Colonels' lead.

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