VIDEO: Highlights
VIDEO: Mike Turner Press Conference
VIDEO: Larry Slade Press Conference
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Both Carson-Newman's offense and defense came away with big moments in the program's annual media day scrimmage Wednesday morning at Burke-Tarr Stadium.
The situational scrimmage pitted the first string v. the second string, offensively and defensively with crucial reps for younger players as well. The Eagles worked on situations from the 35 on both sides of the 50, red zone and goal line.
"There are certainly some things that we have to correct," head coach Mike Turner said. "One thing that didn't need to be corrected was their enthusiasm, effort and excitement. We're feeding off them as coaches, and they're feeding off of us as coaches. That's a joy to watch them when they get after it that way. We're two weeks out, we'll have to get some things corrected that are glaring, but today was a good step toward gameday."
The Eagles' first team defense started strong forcing a three-and-out from the second team offense on the first series from the offense's 35. A Montel Presley (Bushnell, Fla.) stop on first and 10 set the offense in a hole from which it couldn't get out on the possession.
The first team defense took over next and moved the ball effectively down the field. Quarterback Derrick Evans (Macon, Ga.) hooked up with Ted Mitchell (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) on a 12-yard out route to the left side of the end zone for a score.
From there, the scrimmage moved to the other 35-yard line going in. The first team defense forced a field goal attempt while the first team offense struck paydirt again with Lonnie Williams (Philadelphia, Pa.) striking for six on a 22-yard reverse.
Desmond Fairell (Miami, Fla.) intercepted a pass as the team moved into the red zone, and took it 98 yards the other way for a defensive touchdown.
Freshman quarterback Brandon Crosby (Huntsville, Ala.) also found the end zone twice during the period in the red zone, scoring once on a 15-yard option keeper and again on a two-yard QB sneak.
Following the period of red zone play, the offenses were tasked with getting out from their own one-yard line.
Jarvis Green (Oviedo, Fla.) came up big for the first team defense by surging into the backfield to take down a ball carrier in the end zone for a safety.
Antonio Wimbush (Kingsland, Ga.) and Quinton Phillips (Augusta, Ga.) rounded out the scoring for the scrimmage. Wimbush plunged in on a two-yard dive in a goal-line situation. Phillips snared a gorgeous four-yard fade patter from Tyler Thackerson (Clinton, Tenn.).
The Eagles hit the field again Saturday at 9:15 a.m. for scrimmage number two of preseason camp.
C-N opens the season Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. against Pikeville.
CNFB Media Day Scrimmage 8-16-17
