Austin Peay’s explosive freshman needs only one mistake to change Saturday’s game.
UWF can play good defense for most of Saturday night and still lose by giving Denver Harper one clean opportunity.
That is how dangerous Austin Peay’s redshirt freshman has already become.
Harper turned only six touches into 196 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns during the Governors’ 63–7 victory over Morehead State. He caught three passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns before adding a 67-yard punt-return score.
That performance earned Harper three honors: Stats Perform FCS National Freshman of the Week, UAC Freshman of the Week and Tennessee Sports Writers Association Offensive Player of the Week.
UWF cannot lose track of No. 15 when Austin Peay visits PenAir Field on Saturday.
Harper showed how quickly he can change a game on Austin Peay’s first offensive snap against Morehead State. The Governors brought him out of the backfield on a pop pass, got him into open space and watched him race 72 yards untouched for a touchdown.
There was no long drive. There was no opportunity for the defense to settle into the game. One missed assignment immediately became seven points.
That is the problem Harper creates.
The 5-foot-8, 161-pound playmaker can line up at receiver, come out of the backfield or affect the game as a returner. Austin Peay does not have to force-feed him the football. It only has to create one favorable matchup, one poor angle or one moment of hesitation.
Harper added a 31-yard touchdown reception late in the second quarter against Morehead State. Then, with only seconds remaining before halftime, he fielded a bouncing punt, changed direction and raced 67 yards for another score.
Three touchdowns created three different ways.
Harper has now caught a touchdown in three consecutive games and already has four receiving scores this season. His speed gives quarterback Chris Parson an explosive target who can turn a short throw into a long touchdown.
UWF’s defense must identify Harper before every snap. The Argos cannot allow motion or backfield movement to create confusion. Linebackers must stay disciplined, the secondary must communicate and the first defender to reach Harper has to get him on the ground.
There cannot be any lazy pursuit angles against this player.
UWF should not give Harper a returnable punt. Directional kicking and hang time must be part of the game plan because Harper has already shown that he can create a touchdown even when the ball does not come directly to him.
The Argos have opened their first FCS season by beating Southern Illinois and Central Arkansas. Both victories showed that UWF has enough talent, speed and physicality to compete immediately at this level.
Saturday presents a different test.
Austin Peay has multiple offensive weapons, but Harper is the player capable of changing the scoreboard without needing consistent touches. UWF can control the line of scrimmage, pressure Parson and win most of the night defensively. None of it will matter if Harper is allowed to produce two or three explosive plays.
UWF must make Harper earn every yard and keep him from touching the football in open space.
He scored three touchdowns on six touches last weekend.
Against the Argos, one might be enough.
