NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Caron-Newman's De'Andre Thomas (Milledgeville, Ga.) was named the Offensive Player of the Week by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association for their efforts in contests from November 18-24.
Thomas accounted for 290 total yards of offense and four touchdowns in Carson-Newman's 37-27 victory over Newberry in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Milledgeville, Ga., native rushed 24 times for 85 yards and three touchdowns, including one and two-yard scoring runs in the first half, as the Eagles jumped out to a 21-0 advantage.
Thomas' hat trick of rushing touchdowns marks his third game this season with three rushing TDs.
The sophomore also completed 9-of-19 passes for 205 yards (his third, 200-yard passing game of the year, the most since Alex Good had a trio in 2007) and another score, a 35-yard strike to TraShaun Ward in the first period.
Thomas has registered 2,585 yards of total offense with 19 rushing touchdowns and eight TD passes this season. Thomas has completed 105 passes this year, the most by a quarterback under C-N head coach Ken Sparks and the fourth most all-time at Carson-Newman. His 19 rushing touchdowns are three away from the single season school record and are the most for a single year by a Carson-Newman quarterback.
Carson-Newman plays at Lenoir-Rhyne in the second round of the playoffs this Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon. Pregame coverage begins at 11 a.m. on the Eagle Sports Network with the Tailgate Show on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
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