Brian Rives, the voice of the Governors, took some time to talk about Saturday’s game between Austin Peay and the Bulldogs. Brian does an excellent job calling Austin Peay games, and we greatly appreciate his insight into the game and college football.
The back-to-back conference titles, what did that mean for the program?
It was proof that the program is heading in the right direction, as far as building for future success. This is a team just a little over a decade removed from what then was the nation’s longest losing streak. But with the commitment from the University, the investment in facilities, and putting the student athlete experience first, Austin Peay has created a program that with consistent recruiting can compete for championships at the FCS level.
What’s your take on Georgia?
What Coach Smart has done in Athens has set the gold standard to measure your program against. SEC titles, national titles and consistently placing young men into the professional levels, it’s a blueprint many will study and try to duplicate.
What does APSU have to do to beat Georgia?
Limit self inflicted wounds, create take aways and turn those into points, and have a sustained ground game to win the time of possession.
What are the goals for the program this season?
With a second year coach, and a roster that better fits his philosophy on both sides of the wall coming off a losing season a year ago. Immediate goals are to finish and win home games (tied or had leads in all losses in the 4th quarter last season) and compete for the UAC title.
Are your fans excited about heading to Athens?
Any chance you get to go to one of the storied stadiums in college football, It’s always exciting. Having had the chance to be here and play just a few seasons ago, I know how special it is to be in Athens, to be Between the Hedges, and experience a game day Saturday with Georgia’s incredible fanbase.
Name a couple of things you would like to change in college football.
I think we’ve reached a point in collegiate athletics where every major sport should have their own commissioner. Football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball, should all have their own commissioner. The Olympic sports could still be governed by one body working towards Olympic success for the United States, but the issues that face each sport are so different whether it be in NIL, rules, exposure, television, etc. each sport faces their own problems and I believe will be better served to have their own government body.
Where are some of your favorite travel spots when it comes to broadcasting?
I’m a born and raised Tennessee kid who grew up on Saturday mornings watching Jefferson Pilot games, so any chance I get to go to a Southeastern conference stadium is special. I also have the pleasure of being the play-by-play voice for our men’s basketball program so going to some historic basketball arena, like Gallagher Iba arena at Oklahoma State, or Hinkle Fieldhouse at Butler, I can appreciate the history of all those facilities have, and the competitors that made history in those buildings and on all those fields competing.