VIDEO: Mekhi Brown Postgame Interview

ROCK HILL, S.C. – After returning an interception for a touchdown and blocking a field goal, Carson-Newman redshirt freshman linebacker Mekhi Brown (Wauchula, Fla.) has garnered WePlayed Sports South Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors, the league office announced Monday morning. 

Brown was instrumental in paving the way for Carson-Newman's first win at Newberry since 2010.  He finished the day with four tackles, a tackle for loss, the pick six and a blocked field goal. 

The redshirt freshman is Carson-Newman's first SAC Defensive Player of the Week since the last time C-N beat Newberry. Alonzo Houston was recognized last year by the league for his efforts in the Eagles' win over the Wolves on Oct. 1, 2022.  Brown is also the first freshman defensive player to be recognized by the league since Houston, who picked up a weekly honor in his freshman season in 2018 following a week three win over Wingate. 

Brown broke through the line to tip and reject a Bryce Early field goal with 1:52 left in the second quarter to keep the Eagles within a touchdown.

His more pivotal play came in the third quarter.  Brown leapt in front of a Brayden Phillips pass at the 13 yard-line.  He scrambled into the right side of the end zone with 9:50 to go in the third to bring the Eagles within a two-point conversion and spark what would go on to be a 28-point second half for C-N. 

Brown and the rest of the Eagles will be in action Saturday at 1 p.m. against Tusculum in the second oldest rivalry game in the state of Tennessee. Pregame coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at noon with the AEC Tailgate Show on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville), Mountain Talk 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.  A video stream is available with a subscription to FloSports at cneagles.com/FloFB.