JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Sophomore quarterback De'Andre Thomas has been named the offensive player of the week by the South Atlantic Conference after his performance in Carson-Newman's 55-28 victory over Wayne State on Thursday.
The Milledgeville, Ga. native went 8-for-10 for 213 yards, three touchdowns – passes of 34 yards, 63 yards and 40 yards – and 32 rushing yards on eight carries. Thomas became the first Eagles quarterback to throw for over 200 yards in a game since current QB coach Alex Good threw for 256 yards against Winona State in 2009.
The six-foot quarterback set a Carson-Newman program record with a 357.9 passer efficiency rating.
"He's worked hard," head coach Ken Sparks said of Thomas. "He's paid the price to be our quarterback. He's deeply invested. He's going to continue to get better. He managed the game very, very well."
The 213 passing were the most by a SAC quarterback in the first week of the season while Thomas' three touchdowns were second-best.
The southpaw found Anthony Eubanks who caught the first two touchdown passes totaling 97 yards. Steven Isom tallied three receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Carson-Newman makes its first road trip of the season this week when the Eagles travel to the Colorado School of Mines on Saturday. Catch the Eagles contest with the Orediggers on the Eagle Sports Network on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville) and on 106.3 ESPN Radio The Zone (WPFT-FM, Sevierville), as well as online at cneagles.com/live starting with the Tailgate Show an hour before kickoff at 1 p.m.