VIDEO: Mike Clowney Interview
VIDEO: Highlights
VIDEO: Justice Alexander Interview
VIDEO: Cody Sullivan Interview
VIDEO: Tay Little Interview
VIDEO: Troy Dendy Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Troy Dendy (Laurens, S.C.) tallied the sixth 250-yard rushing performance in school history and Carson-Newman (1-8, 1-6 South Atlantic Conference) ground out 472 yards rushing in a throwback 27-21 Senior Day win over Limestone (0-8, 0-6) Saturday at Burke-Tarr Stadium.
Dendy pounded out 262 yards rushing – the fifth highest total in school history and the eighth highest total in NCAA Division II this year – on 21 attempts for a whopping 12.5 yards per carry.
"Our record does not define us," Dendy said. "EJ Davis set the tone and I knew I had to match him. Everyone who touched the ball today ran hard. We need to come out Monday and work to doing this again behind an offensive line is that the most improved group on this team. I got 262 yards, but I couldn't have done it without them."
Dendy had 10 rushes that traversed at least 10 yards and another four that were 30 yards or longer.
"I am so proud of this offensive line." Carson-Newman head football coach Mike Clowney said. "Running backs did a great job, but they get to score touchdowns and get their names in the stat sheet. But the offensive line, when you look at that group and Coach Guillermo and Coach Ray and all the shuffling they've had to do. For them to block well enough to have a 250-yard rusher is just incredible. I am super proud of them."
The 472 yards rushing are a season high and the 25th highest total in school history and the fourth-highest total NCAA Division II this season. Carson-Newman only lost yards on two plays.
EJ Davis (Ruskin, Fla.) complimented Dendy's day on the ground with 82 yards on six carries. Davis found the end zone on a 69-yard score, while Dendy touted touchdown runs of 46 and 30 yards.
C-N gashed the Saints on the ground. The Eagles had 12 runs of 10 yards or longer for a total of 319 yards.
Freeze it.
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CN_Eagles) November 6, 2021
Frame it.
�� @TroydendyTroy pounds out 2️⃣6️⃣2️⃣ yards on the ground.
�� @cnfootball tallies 12 rushes that gobble up 3️⃣1️⃣9️⃣ yards
�� @TroydendyTroy tallies the eighth most yards in a @NCAADII game this year.
�� the postgame infographic pic.twitter.com/UpKMsUOJCe
The hegemonic effort on the ground sent out Carson-Newman's 15 seniors with a win in the Eagles home finale.
"We have so many guys who played today who were seniors, and several of them, this was their only year here," Clowney said. "They have a home here. That's what makes us different and special. Our guys will forever be welcome and we're so grateful for their service here."
The contest wasn't without trepidation. The Eagles turned it over three times leading to 14 first-half points for the Saints.
Carson-Newman struck quickly early. EJ Davis (Ruskin, Fla.) gallivanted 69 yards on the first play of the game to give the Eagles a 7-0 lead 18 seconds in.
After C-N's defense forced a three-and-out, the offense rolled down the field on an eight-play, 65-yard drive. Troy Dendy (Laurens, S.C.) punctuated the possession with a 30-yard run. The extra point lanced off the upright and C-N led 13-0 with 9:46 to play in the first quarter,
Limestone answered on the next drive. Ethan Beamish hooked up with DeMond Ellison on a 48-yard post pattern to get the Saints within a score. Carson-Newman fumbled away its ensuing possession to set the Saints up on the C-N 41. Four plays later, the Saints grabbed a lead on a five-yard reverse to the right pylon from Caden Peeler.
The lead wouldn't last long. Lamarcus Brown (Mobile, Ala.) fired a 38-yard seed to DeQuan Duddley (Harvey, Ill.) on a wheel route to put C-N back in front 20-14 with 1:05 to play in the first quarter.
The teams exchanged missed field goals before Kris Williams jumped a slant and returned it 58 yards for a pick six that gave the Saints a 21-20 lead headed into the halftime locker room.
"It's always a question how you'll respond, but this group has been resilient all year," Clowney said. "We though they worked their butts off to give us the best chance to win this football game. The biggest thing from today is us overcoming adversity. We had some things not go well for us. We didn't let the bad things spin out of control."
Carson-Newman got a stop on Limestone's opening possession of the second half. However, on the ensuing punt, a blocker was knocked into the return man Dudley. Limestone's Charlie Blazi hopped on the loose football to set the Saints up at the Eagle 14.
However, the Eagles' defense was tall to the task forcing a three-and-out and Limestone's ensuing 38-yard field was short off the boot of JB Potts.
The Eagles' took over at the 21 and marched down the field on a six-play. 79-yard drive. Dendy capped the run with a whirling 46-yard run. Dendy picked up a first down, landed on his would-be tackler's back then raced the remaining 35 yards to the end zone to give the Eagles the lead for good.
"I just knew the whole time my butt never touched the ground," Dendy said. "They gave me a good call and I just ran to the end zone from there."
2️⃣6️⃣2️⃣ yards ➕ an #SCTop10-quality run from @TroydendyTroy. Trying to get on @SportsCenter from his back on top of a defender while making a ����@cnfootball x #TalonsUp x @ESPNAssignDesk pic.twitter.com/4gwcQ3aVki
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CN_Eagles) November 7, 2021
The Saints had a shot to go back in front on the ensuing possession. The Saints rattled off a 37-yard fake punt to get the ball down to the 22 before Ethan Beamish hit Terrence Walker on a 21-yard pass to the C-N one.
However, the Eagles stood tall on the goal line. Daniel Dixon-Brooks (Greenville, S.C.) got into the backfield for a four-yard loss on the first play from the goal line before a one-yard rush and two incompletions forced the Saints off the field on downs.
"Those are big determining factors in us winning this game," Clowney said. "You want to put a whole game together. Defensively to be put in some tough situations and not score anything, that's a testament to our guys being targeted in."
Carson-Newman was able to salt things away by playing keepaway and winning the battle for field position from there.
C-N punted on its final three drives, but they chewed up 13:30 of clock over the final possession of the third quarter and the fourth frame.
"We're excited for them and they were excited for us as coaches," Clowney said. "We needed to get this monkey off our backs."
TOUCHDOWN!! @lamarcus2402 finds a wide open @Houdiniwayyyy to put the Eagles back on top.
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CN_Eagles) November 6, 2021
�� @cnfootball 20
⚜️ @LimestoneFB 14
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Brown was efficient through the air for the Eagles, completing 6-of-8 passes for 84 yards and a score.
Dudley was his top target, catching three passes for 58 yards and his 38-yard touchdown catch.
Tay Little (High Points, N.C.) led Carson-Newmman with 10 tackles.
Carson-Newman wraps up the year Saturday at 1:30 against the Tusculum Pioneers. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network starts at 12:30 with the AEC Tailgate Show on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
