VIDEO: Rondrow Peebles Interview
VIDEO: Nate Craft Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman linebacker Rondrow Peebles (Knoxville, Tenn.) and placekicker Nate Craft (Salem, Va.) have been recognized with weekly laurels from the South Atlantic Conference, the league office announced Monday.
Peebles was recognized for the second time this season with AstroTurf SAC Defensive Player of the Week honors, while Craft was tabbed with Special Teams Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
It's the first time that Carson-Newman has taken home two of the three weekly honors from the league since 2013 when Jaycob Coleman and Curt Duncan were lauded following a 27-24 win at the Colorado School of Mines.
Craft is Carson-Newman's first special teams player of the week since 2016 when future New York Giant and New Orleans Saint Kevin Snead won the award following a win over Saint Augustine's.
Craft nearly outscored Catawba by himself. He was 8-for-8 kicking extra points and converted on a 29-yard field goal in the Eagles' 59-14 win. Additionally, Craft drilled a 53-yard punt. He was instrumental in giving Catawba poor field position all day long. He kicked off 10 times, eight of which were for touchbacks.
Of Craft's last 21 kickoffs, 18 have gone into the end zone for a touchback. Catawba's average starting field position was its own 29, while the Eagles started, on average, at their own 46.
Meanwhile, Peebles tallied 10 tackles for the second time in his career. He had four solo stops and a half tackle for a loss.
Peebles was instrumental in holding Catawba under 275 yards of total offense. That's the third straight game Carson-Newman has held its opposition under 275 yards of total offense.
Peebles and Craft will next be in action Saturday at Lenoir-Rhyne. Kickoff with the Bears is set for 2 p.m. Coverage will be available on the Eagle Sports Network starting at 1 p.m. with the AEC Tailgate Show on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville), The Mountain 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
