VIDEO: Ken Sparks Press Conference

C-N Game Notes

L-R Game Notes

SAC Weekly Report

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (3-1, 1-1 South Atlantic Conference) will try to snap a three-game skid to 22^nd-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne (3-1, 1-0 SAC) when the Eagles head to Hickory to meet the Bears between the bricks of Moretz Stadium at 2 p.m. 

In winning three consecutive against the Eagles, the Bears have done what few have to a Ken Sparks-coached football team. 

The Bears join Wingate (2010-12) and Elon (1980-82 & 1984-86) as the only teams to defeat a Ken Sparks-coached team on three consecutive occasions.

Valdosta State and North Alabama also own three-game win streaks over the Eagles, but those streaks have not occurred in consecutive seasons. No team has ever owned a four-game win streak over a Ken Sparks-coached team in consecutive seasons; however, North Alabama won four in a row against the Eagles from games spanning from 1998-2009 before the Eagles defeated the Lions in the 2009 quarterfinal round off the playoffs 24-21.

Sparks said he knows the four-time defending SAC champions will once again pose a major challenge, especially with the Bears playing in their home opener after four straight weeks on the road to start the season.

"They are really good up front and that's what makes them special," Sparks said. "Probably, if they ran any kind of offense they would be dangerous because of their five offensive lineman. They are a very capable football team up front. When you throw in speed behind them-especially they have four running backs who can run. They have a big ol' fullback who can run. Both slots can run and quarterback that can fly. I see no weaknesses."

The Bears lead the country in rushing yards, averaging 433 yards per game.  L-R also leads the league in scoring with nearly 39 points a contest.  However, in spite of the Bears' ground game dominance, or perhaps because of it, the Bears just don't throw the football.  The Bears have attempted 16 passes all season, completing just five for 67 yards.  And again, those are the season totals for the Bears.  Of the Bears' 67 yards through the air, 44 came on a completion to Patrick Rendleman last week in L-R's victory over Limestone. 

In addition to battling the Bears on the field, Carson-Newman will likely be battling the elements.  The Weather Channel calls for a 100 percent chance of rain Saturday thanks to a wide swath of rain moving through the Tar Heel State from Hurricane Joaquin.  Various estimated call from 1-2 inches of rain to 5-8 inches of rain on gameday pending on the category four hurricane's patch.

"Like last week, there was a slight chance of rain over at Mars Hill," Sparks said. "I stand there with a water spout spraying on the ball when we were snapping the ball on Friday. It's more psychological than it is anything but to line up the first time with a wet ball is maybe a change that doesn't need to happen. We will make sure that that won't happen this week."

Ball security will be paramount for an Eagle team that has taken remarkable care of the pigskin through four weeks.  The Eagles are fifth in the nation in fewest turnovers.  Carson-Newman fumbled away a punt in week one against the University of the Cumberlands in week one before a center-QB snap exchange was lost last week against Mars Hill.  

Turnovers have been the hallmark of Lenoir-Rhyne's defense this season.  The Bears have forced 12 thus far, ninth in the nation, including a SAC-best nine interceptions.  Freshman corner Kyle Dugger has caused the most havoc.  He's intercepted three passes this season and has defensive touchdowns in back-to-back weeks.

"We have been very fortunate of only having one turnover all year as far as offense is concerned," Sparks said. "That was a snap from center that shouldn't have happened. So, we are really really proud of what the coaches have done to be conscious of turnovers. The thing I am more concerned about this weekend than turnovers is the penalties. Big penalties that we haven't gotten all year and then all of a sudden we go over there and get a lot. "

The Bears have been nigh unstoppable in conference play at home. L-R has won 17 consecutive home conference games in Hickory dating back to Oct. 9, 2010, a 24-20 defeat to Mars Hill.

Carson-Newman hasn't beaten L-R in Hickory since 2009, a 17-13 squeaker of a win over the Bears. Lenoir-Rhyne also hasn't lost a conference game since the Eagles' capitalized on a quintet of Bear fumbles to beat L-R 47-23 back on Sept. 23, 2012. That was 21 SAC games ago for the Bears.

Saturday marks the Eagles' 60th meeting with a ranked opponent. Lenoir-Rhyne enters the contest #22 in the AFCA coaches poll. The Eagles are 33-26 since entering Division II against ranked competition but just 4-9 since 2008. Last year when the Eagles played L-R, the Bears were ranked fourth in the country, which was Carson-Newman's 21st meeting with a team in the top 5 - the Eagles are 7-14 in such games. The Eagles are 3-0 against teams ranked 22nd. Carson-Newman defeated no. 22 Newberry 52-31 in 2013 and no. 22 Catawba and then no. 22 Wingate in consecutive weeks in 2004, 49-30 and 41-10, respectively.

The Eagles offense has been bolstered of late by SAC and D2Football.com national offensive player of the week Damian Baker (Columbus, Miss.).  Baker rushed for 249 yards in last week's 62-38 win over Mars Hill – the seventh highest single-game rushing total in Carson-Newman football history.  Additionally, Baker had a career high four rushing touchdowns. 

Baker was sublime last season against the Bears, rushing 23 times for 179 yards and a score; however, he also lost one fumble as an Eagle comeback bid fell short at Burke-Tarr Stadium 35-32.

Kickoff between the Eagles and Bears is slated for 2 p.m. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network gets underway at 1 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.