VIDEO: Antonio Wimbush Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the first time in his career, Carson-Newman running back Antonio Wimbush (Kingsland, Ga.) has been named the South Atlantic Conference's Offensive Player of the Week.
Wimbush becomes the first offensive player of the Eagles to pick up a player of the week plaudit since Montavious Taylor earned the award on Oct. 10, 2016 following an Eagles' victory at Brevard.
"I'm very thankful and grateful for the opportunity to get this," Wimbush said. "I can't do anything but thank the trainers for getting me back, and my coaches and our offensive line for getting in the right spots."
The last Eagle to receive a weekly honor from the league in general was Desmond Fairell (Miami, Fla.). The Eagles' defensive back was recognized last year for recovering a fumble and picking off a pass against Limestone last year.
Wimbush gets his accolade after a career day against Virginia Union in a 33-29 win for the Eagles.
������ @tbush14 logs his first career @sac_athletics AstroTurf Offensive Player of the Week honor.
— C-N Athletics (@CNathletics) September 10, 2018
Wimbo rushed for 1⃣8⃣4⃣ yards and 3⃣ scores in a win over Virginia Union for @cnfootball pic.twitter.com/JwCl3wuOFY
The junior running back tallied 184 yards, a career high and his first ever 150-yard rushing day, on 21 carries to go along with three scores.
Wimbush became Carson-Newman's first 150-yard rusher since Jared Dillingham tallied 196 yards against Mars Hill last year.
The Kingsland, Ga.-native's three scores also mark his third career game with a trio of rushing touchdowns. Wimbush also pulled that off twice his freshman year against North Greenville and Tusculum.
He averaged 8.8 yards per carry in the contest and helped the Eagles to a third consecutive game rushing for at least 300 yards.
Wimbush tallied a 50-yard run that set the Eagles up for their first score, as well as chunk 41 and 22-yard totes. Wimbush has 23 carries in his career that have traversed at least 20 yards.
He now stands in 13th place all-time on Carson-Newman's career rushing touchdowns list with 26.
Count 'em
— C-N Athletics (@CNathletics) September 9, 2018
1⃣
2⃣
3⃣
�� trick for @cnfootball's @TBush14 pic.twitter.com/Uon0s9Xa2l
Wimbush and the rest of the Eagles will be in action Saturday at Burke-Tarr Stadium at 7 p.m. against Wingate. Both teams are receiving votes in the AFCA Coaches Poll. Coverage of the game will be available on the Eagle Sports Network on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville), Mountain Country 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.