Chris Parson threw for 308 yards and a touchdown, Courtland Simmons ran for two touchdowns and Austin Peay beat Gardner-Webb 35-17 on Thursday night in a season opener for both teams. Parson, the preseason United Athletic Conference offensive player of the year, also ran for a touchdown for Austin Peay, which is ranked No. 17 in the Stats Perform FCS top 25 poll. Parson connected with Denver Harper on a 49-yard strike in which Harper — who had to slow his stride on a slightly underthrown pass — still had his defender beat by five yards.