Romon Copeland Jr. runs 52-yards for a touchdown as Austin Peay tops winless Utah Tech 13-7

SAINT GEORGE, Utah — Romon Copeland Jr. opened the game by racing 52 yards for a touchdown on Austin Peay's first possession and Carson Smith capped it by kicking a career-long 51-yard field goal with under five minutes left as the Governors beat winless Utah Tech 13-7 on Saturday.

Copeland took a direct snap, skirted the right end, ran through an open-field tackle at the 30 and weaved his way to the end zone for the game's first touchdown. Smith's kick from 39 yards out came with 6:12 left in the first quarter.

Bretton Stone capped a 14-play, 73-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 10:37 left in the first half for Utah Tech's lone score.

Austin Smith connected with Jaden Barnes for a 64-yard gain to give the Governors a first down at the Utah Tech 10, but Corey Richardson fumbled after a 4-yard run.

Smith was 7-of-16 passing for 93 yards and carried 18 times for 83 for Austin Peay (3-4, 2-2 United Athletic Conference). Barnes caught three passes for 80 yards.

Utah Tech (0-8, 0-4) was a combined 17-of-32 passing for 110 yards and seven ballcarriers combined for 104 yards on 32 carries.

The Trailblazers were forced to punt nine times in the game. Austin Peay punted seven times.