CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Catawba’s Indians combined their brilliant defense with an explosive offensive attack to grind out a 33-7 victory over Austin Peay State University in a nonconference football game here Saturday night.

Catawba erupted for two touch downs in the opening period and carried a 21-7 advantage to half time.

The Indians scored on their first two possessions of the last half to put the victory in the bag.

It was Catawba’s second straight win. The Indians blanked Livingstone 49-0 in their first game.

Catawba’s defense held Austin Peay to 107 total yards. Meanwhile, the Indians rolled for 432 yards, collecting 284 on the ground and a 148 in the air.

“It was a very good win for us,”said Coach David Bennett of the Indians. “We got a great job from our defense and I’m proud of what they did. Our defense did not give up a score. Their touchdown came on a pass interception.”

Tailback Kevin McKenzie paced the Indians with 188 yards on 19 carries and scored the first touchdown for the Indians.

Quarterback Mitch Ellis completed 11 of 18 passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns. McKenzie got the Indians rolling by scoring a touchdown on Catawba’s fifth scrimmage play.

The Indians lost the football on an interception and gained only five yards on their first three plays, but McKenzie started things in the right direction by racing 74 yards for the Tribe’s first score.

Matt Gross kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

A few minutes later, the Indians stretched their lead to 13-0 when Ellis connected with Nick Means, a sophomore receiver, on a 56-yard pass play.

Gross’ try for the extra point failed.

Austin Peay held to minus 11 yards rushing in the first half, used an interception to score its touchdown. Thomas Sexton picked off an Ellis pass at his 19 and raced 81 yards to score.

Catawba stormed back to go ahead 21-7 with a score late in the second period. It came on a short march of 28 yards. Tony Hawkins, a freshman tailback, sparked the drive and fullback Joe Hilliard, scored from the 2. Ellis passed to Ryan Millwood for two extra points.

A Catawba threat was snuffed out by a pass interception at the Austin Peay 6-yard line late in the first half.

The Indians put the victory away with two quick touchdowns in the third period.

The Indians went 80 yards to score with the second-half kick off, taking a 27-7 lead.

A 26-yard run by Hilliard and a 15-yard penalty against Austin Peay placed the ball on the Governors’ 30. Then a pass interference call against Austin Peay moved the ball close and Ellis flipped a 6-yard pass to Means for the score. The extra point try failed again.

The Indians marched 59 yards in 10 plays for their final score. Ellis hit Millwood with a 4-yard pass for the touchdown. The extra point failed again.

Austin Peay made its best showing in the fading minutes of the game when it drove to Catawba’s 6 as time expired.