CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.-Austin Peay State University and Tennessee Tech will have the honor of playing the first game of the 2009 Sergeant York Trophy series, 7 p.m, Saturday, at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville.

This Ohio Valley Conference contest is the first of three games for Austin Peay in its bid for the York Trophy, an award that goes to the OVC's Tennessee team which posts the best record against the other in-state teams.

Tennessee State has captured the York Trophy in each of the awards first two years, although APSU tid TSU with a 2-1 record that year. However, TSU was awarded the trophy because it defeated the Govs in their head-to-head matchup.

Representatives from the Nashville Sports Council and the Ohio Valley Conference announced in 2007 the creation of the Sergeant York Trophy, which goes to the winner of the quadrangular season football series between the four OVC member schools located in the state of Tennessee - Austin Peay, Tennessee-Martin, Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech. The award is only the second traveling trophy involving more than two teams in college sports. The other is the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy which has been contested between Air Force, Army and Navy annually since 1972.

After the game at Tennessee Tech. Austin Peay will play at home against Tennessee State, Nov. 14, and on the road the next week, Nov. 21, at Tennessee Martin to complete this year's series.

-AP-