JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman football will wrap up spring practice with its annual Orange – Blue Spring Game Thursday afternoon at 4 at Burke-Tarr Stadium.
"We've had a lot of young kids that we've had to throw into the fire because of injury," head coach Mike Turner said. "It's been a great opportunity for them to live the next man up mentality. Were excited for this team to continue to unite as one as we move toward the 2018 season."
The Eagles have gotten to run through spring practice with loads of returners.
From the 48 players listed on two-deep in 2017 for Carson-Newman, 43 return. It's easier to list departures than the litany of players that return. Gone are running backs Jared Dillingham and Diantae Thomas who assumed the roles of starters after early-season injuries to Antonio Wimbush (Kingsland, Ga.) and Marcus Williams (Apopka, Fla.).
Eagle fans can also bid farethewell to receivers Darvia DuBose, who started more than 30 games in his career, and Dorren Miller, who came within five yards of setting Carson-Newman's single-season receiving record for the option era (1980-present).
Carson-Newman also loses offensive lineman Stokes Rowe and all-region linebacker Sha'Heem Stupart. Stupart, the only loss on the defensive side of the football, leaves after amassing 312 tackles – the seventh most all-time in school history.
The spring game will feature some in-game elements but also some situational moments between Carson-Newman's first team offense and first team defense, so on, and so forth.