Winona, Minn. - A late Carson-Newman College rally was not
enough as the Eagles fell to Winona State University, 17-12,
Thursday night at Maxwell Field in the 2009 season opener for both
squads.
Carson-Newman avoided being shut out for the first time in 17 years
after going into the fourth quarter without putting any points on
the board. After leading the nation in rushing in the 2008 season,
the Eagles managed just 108 yards on the ground.
"Our offense is so used to having good things happen and everything
else goes on from that," said head coach Ken Sparks, who is in his
30th year. "We couldn't establish our offense like we like to. We
just couldn't run the football."
Senior wide receiver Reggie Hubbard (Chattanooga, Tenn.) was the
standout performer for Carson-Newman as he reeled in seven catches
for 171 yards and both of the Eagles' scores.
Winona State got on the board with a field goal on the very first
drive of the game. Cullen Fahey (Crystal Lake, Ill.) capped an
eight play, 63 yard drive with a 22-yard field goal. He was set up
four plays earlier as quarterback Greg Preston (Taylor Mills, Ky.)
completed a 44-yard pass to Derrick Engel (Chaska, Minn.) to bring
the Warrior drive inside the Eagle 10-yard line.
Winona State extended their lead to 10-0 just seconds into the
second quarter when Curtis Dewberry (Clermont, Fla.) scampered 12
yards for the first touchdown of the game. The Warriors would take
the 10-0 advantage into the locker room.
With 3:27 left to go in the third quarter, the Warriors pushed the
lead to 17 on a three-play, 51-yard drive that was completed by a
two-yard rush by Rayon Simmons (University City, Mo.).
"(Winona State) had a good game plan and played solid football,"
said Sparks. "When they needed to make a play they did. For us it
was one of those nights that sometimes come along that you don't
look forward to seeing."
The Eagles wiped the zero off the board with 11:47 left to go in
the contest when senior quarterback Alex Good (Greensboro, N.C.)
hooked up with Hubbard for a 12-yard pass for the score. It was the
second-straight play that Good found Hubbard as the previous
attempt went for 46 yards. The Carson-Newman extra-point attempt
was blocked by Winona State.
C-N made things interesting late in the game as it marched down the
field on a 13-play, 82-yard drive to cut the Warrior lead to five.
The Eagles kept the drive alive on third-and-19 when sophomore
running back Nate Inman (Fitzgerald, Ga.) plowed through the middle
for 23 yards to enter Winona State territory. Good and Hubbard
linked up for the seventh time on the night, this time with a
four-yard completion for the score.
A failed two-point conversion and subsequent onside kick sealed the
victory for the Warriors.
Carson-Newman will stay on the road next Saturday when it travels
to Florence, Ala., to face off against perennial powerhouse
Northern Alabama. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. CST (8:00
p.m. Eastern) start.
April 20, 2010
Sparks receives prestigious Neyland Award
March 3, 2010
Eagles to Hold Orange and Blue Game on Saturday
March 2, 2010
Carson-Newman Adds Seven to 2010 Football Signing Class
February 8, 2010
Eagles Add Two to 2010 Signing Class
December 14, 2009
Eagles Ranked Fourth in Final AFCA Poll
December 4, 2009
Carson-Newman Game Notes vs. Grand Valley State
November 30, 2009
Scouting Report: No. 10 Carson-Newman vs. No. 3 Grand Valley State
November 28, 2009
Semifinal Bound: Eagles Drop UNA in Florence, 24-21
November 27, 2009
Gameday Central: Carson-Newman/Grand Valley State
November 25, 2009
Back to Florence: Eagles Face North Alabama on Saturday
November 24, 2009
Scouting Report: Carson-Newman vs. North Alabama
November 23, 2009
Kickoff Time Set for Eagles' Quarterfinal at UNA
November 20, 2009
Gameday Central: Carson-Newman vs. West Alabama
November 19, 2009
Carson-Newman Game Notes vs. West Alabama
November 18, 2009
Eagles Postseason Begins with West Alabama on Saturday
November 18, 2009
C-Ns Needs Named D-II Assistant Coach of the Year
November 17, 2009
Scouting Report: Carson-Newman vs. West Alabama
November 9, 2009
Carson-Newman Climbs to 10th in AFCA Poll
November 9, 2009
Carson-Newman Leads Way On SAC 2009 All-Conference Football Team
November 8, 2009
No. 14 Carson-Newman Receives First-Round Bye in NCAA Playoffs
November 7, 2009
No. 14 Carson-Newman Defeats Tusculum, 70-35, on Record-Setting Day
November 6, 2009
Eagles Good Named Candidate for Harlon Hill Trophy
November 6, 2009
Gameday Central for Carson-Newman/Tusculum on Saturday
November 5, 2009
Eagles Host Tusculum in Regular-Season Finale Saturday
November 2, 2009
Eagles Jump to 14th in AFCA Poll, Remain No. 2 in Regional Rankings
November 2, 2009
Eagles' Wakefield Named SAC Offensive Player of the Week
October 31, 2009
No. 18 Carson-Newman Runs by Wingate, 45-7, to Win 21st SAC Title
October 28, 2009
Eagles Travel to Wingate on Saturday with SAC Title on the Line
October 26, 2009
Eagles Move to 18th in AFCA Poll, Second in Regional Rankings
October 24, 2009
No. 20 Carson-Newman Cruises Past Brevard, 77-7
October 19, 2009
Eagles Jump to 20th in AFCA Poll
October 15, 2009
Eagles Travel to Lenoir-Rhyne on Saturday
October 10, 2009
Carson-Newman Battles Back to Down Catawba, 41-31, on Homecoming
October 8, 2009
Carson-Newman Hosts Catawba for Homecoming on Saturday
October 5, 2009
Eagles Third in First Regional Rankings
October 3, 2009
Carson-Newman Storms Past Mars Hill, 55-28
October 2, 2009
Carson-Newman Visits Mars Hill on Saturday Afternoon
September 28, 2009
Eagles' Good, Lopez Named SAC Players of the Week
September 26, 2009
Carson-Newman Takes Down Newberry in SAC Opener, 23-20
September 24, 2009
Eagles Welcome Newberry in SAC Opener Saturday
September 21, 2009
C-N's Jones Named SAC Special Teams Player of the Week
September 19, 2009
Carson-Newman Upends UNC Pembroke, 35-22
September 16, 2009
Eagles Set to Host Unbeaten UNC Pembroke Saturday
September 10, 2009
Eagles Roll Past Campbellsville, 38-10, in Home Opener
September 8, 2009
Eagles Set For Thursday's Home Opener Against Campbellsville
September 5, 2009
No. 22 Carson-Newman Falls at No. 4 North Alabama, 31-14
September 4, 2009
Eagles Set for Top 25 Showdown at No. 4 North Alabama
August 27, 2009
Carson-Newman Drops 2009 Season Opener, 17-12, At Winona State
August 25, 2009
Sparks Begins 30th Season at Mossy Creek on Thursday Night
August 21, 2009
Eagles Begin Game Week Preparations for Season Opener
August 19, 2009
Eagles Hold Final Scrimmage of Fall Camp
August 17, 2009
Eagles Ranked Ninth in AFCA Preseason Poll
August 15, 2009
Good, Hubbard On Same Page During Saturday's Scrimmage
August 14, 2009
Eagles Hold Media Day, First Full Scrimmage
August 8, 2009
Eagles Continue to Grind Through Camp
July 30, 2009
Eagles Picked to Win South Atlantic Conference
July 13, 2009
Eagles Ranked Ninth in Lindy's Sports Preseason Poll
March 23, 2009
Carson-Newman Releases 2009 Football Schedule