Smith, Barnes enter Austin Peay record book in 31-17 win over North Alabama

FLORENCE, Ala. -- , Austin Smith threw for 406 yards, four touchdowns and completed a program record 88.5% of his passes and Austin Peay beat North Alabama 31-17 on Saturday in a game it never trailed. Following Carson Smith 's 37-yard field for the Governors (4-5, 3-3 United Athletic), Smith threw a 57-yard touchdown to Jaden Barnes , followed that with a 31-yard touchdown to Barnes and closed the first half with a 14-yard scoring pass to Romon Copeland Jr . for a 24-3 lead. The Lions used the third quarter to get within a touchdown when quarterback TJ Smith ran it in from the 14 a minute-and-a-half in. With 5:40 left in the third, Smith threw a 19-yard touchdown to Ben Harris to reduce the deficit to 24-17. Austin Peay ended the scoring with a 49-yard touchdown to Barnes with 7:21 left. Smith completed 31 of 35 passes and Barnes hauled in 12 catches for 241 yards and three touchdowns.