McGill's late run lifts Abilene Christian over Austin Peay in overtime thriller

Makenzie McGill carried the ball one yard for a touchdown with 18 seconds remaining, giving Abilene Christian a 34-31 victory over Austin Peay on Saturday in Clarksville, Tenn. The score broke a 31-31 tie and secured the win for the Wildcats.

Abilene Christian trailed 21-13 entering the fourth quarter. Tucker Parks connected with Itty Henry for a 2-yard touchdown pass and then found Seth Weller for a 29-yard score. Those plays put the Wildcats ahead 26-21.

Austin Peay regained the lead with 2:56 left in the game. Chris Parson threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Simmons. The touchdown moved the Governors back into the lead and set the stage for a final sequence of plays.

Abilene Christian answered with a 10-play, 69-yard drive. McGill rushed for the go-ahead score. Parks completed a pass to Larry Benton III for a 2-point conversion to extend the lead to three points.

Parks finished the game 22 of 36 for 249 yards and two touchdown passes. He also scored on a 1-yard run in the first quarter. McGill rushed for 76 yards on 17 carries. Benton caught six passes for 108 yards.

Parson threw for 355 yards and three touchdowns for Austin Peay. Denver Harper caught eight passes for 140 yards and a touchdown. Simmons had 80 receiving yards and a score. Caleb Merritt intercepted Parks late in the second quarter, marking his first interception of the season. Abilene Christian hosts Eastern Kentucky next Saturday. Austin Peay plays at Central Arkansas next Saturday.