VIDEO: Ken Sparks press conference
South Atlantic Conference Weekly Report
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – No. 17 Carson-Newman (5-1) will play host to North Greenville (4-3) for its annual homecoming game as 35-year head coach Ken Sparsks tries to surpass legendary Alabama coach Bear Bryant for fifth on the all-time wins list with his 324th career win.
The Crusaders boast one of the most complete offensive attacks the Eagles face in 2014.
"They are a very dangerous and capable football team," Sparks said. "Offensively they have a ton of weapons from their quarterback to their receivers to their running back. They have a veteran offensive lines and that's quite scary. We'll have to bring our best game."
Crusader quarterback Nelson Hughes is sixth in the nation in completion percentage (69 percent) and 11th in passing efficiency (160.3). Hughes is one of 16 quarterbacks in the country to have thrown for 2,000 yards already.
Hughes has also rushed for 215 yards and a score on the ground.
"Nelson Hughes is an operator," Sparks said. "He's got good speed, a strong arm and he's well versed in what's a very complex offense. He knows where to get the ball at the right time. They go a little bit more by committee at receiver, they are a dangerous football team."
Robbie Brown has replaced Freddie Martino as the Crusaders top target. With 753 receiving yards, Brown leads the Crusaders and is 12th in the country.
Carson-Newman is trying to build defensively on a superb second half from the rivalry win over Tusculum. The Eagles limited the Pioneers to two first downs, 22 plays and 14 yards of total offense in the final 30 minutes of the contest.
Offensively, the Eagles will turn to running back Andy Hibbett (Corryton, Tenn.). The senior needs a 100-yard game to break Buck Wakefield's school record for consecutive 100-yard performances on the ground.
Wakefield had five straight 100-yard games to close his Carson-Newman career. Hibbett has rushed for 196, 105, 115, 191 and 221 yards the past five weeks. He needs 91 yards to turn in the 23rd 1,000-yard rushing season in Carson-Newman history.
Hibbett is also 125 yards away from moving into a tie for 11th place on the all-time rushing list with all-time great Vernon Turner. Hibbett has 2,726 yards in his career, Turner – 2,851.
"I'd call Andy Hibbett a mule, but that might hurt his feelings," Sparks said. "Really he's a thoroughbred, a Trojan. But he's also a guy who's willing to give it up for his team."
North Greenville's defense is youthful up front. The Crusaders have 11 freshmen and sophomores on the two deep among the front seven. The three upperclassmen are juniors.
The defensive secondary has been the Crusaders' strength this season. North Greenville allows 183 yards through the air per game against 256 on the ground. The Crusaders have picked off nine passes, led by Rochar Witherspoon's three INTs.
Carson-Newman has won its last three homecoming games, dating back to a 42-14 loss to UNC Pembroke in 2011. The Eagles beat North Greenville 52-10 on homecoming in 2012. The Eagles own a 2-1 all-time series lead on NGU.
"Homecoming usually means that you get to see a whole bunch of people you haven't seen in a while and a whole bunch of people who have touched your life," Sparks said. "The game is still the game; but outside of it, it's a reunion."
Carson-Newman and North Greenville kickoff at 3 p.m. from Burke-Tarr Stadium. Pregame coverage on the Eagle Sports Network starts at 2 p.m. with the Appalachian Electric Cooperative Tailgate Show on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville), Mountain Country 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
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