ROCK HILL, S.C. – After drilling game-tying and winning 40+ yard field goals in Carson-Newman football's 40+37 overtime win over UVA Wise Saturday, Eagle freshman kicker Christian Erwin (York, S.C.) has been named the AstroTurf South Atlantic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week, the league office announced Wednesday.
Erwin connected on 4-of-5 field goal attempts and all three of his extra points. In his second collegiate kick, he booted a 49-yard field goal through with 31 seconds left in regulation to force overtime (his previous long in high school was 45 yards).
Erwin then proceeded to knock home 27, 36 and 43-yarders to win it for the Eagles in a four-overtime special that matched the longest game in school history.
The freshman put his name into the Carson-Newman record books with the performance. Erwin joined Curt Duncan as the only kickers to make four field goals in a game in school history. Duncan did his feat twice, against Lenoir-Rhyne (9-22-12) and Valdosta State (12-1-12).
His 16 points are the second most scored by a kicker in program history. Second to Duncan (17 against L-R) and Carson Wise (17 against Tusculum).
In addition to his prolific scoring, Erwin also made a game-saving tackle on a kickoff return that was bound for the end zone.
Erwin and the rest of the Eagles will be on display in Burke-Tarr Stadium Saturday night at 7 p.m. against Mars Hill.
