VIDEO: Mike Clowney Intervieew
VIDEO: Highlights
VIDEO: Alonzo Houston Interview
VIDEO: TJ King Interview
HICKORY, N.C. – Carson-Newman (1-3, 0-2 South Atlantic Conference) harassed 18th-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne's offense into seven tackles for loss and 3.8 yards per rush, but the Bears used a 17-point second quarter to create separation in a 34-13 win over C-N Saturday night at Moretz Stadium.
"Defensively I thought we bounced back," Carson-Newman head football coach Mike Clowney said. "You know, last week we got a ton of missed tackles. I thought the guys did a good job of working the line of scrimmage and then having the opportunity to make plays, making tackles—got some tackles for loss against a really good running back (reigning SAC offensive player of the year Dwayne McGee."
C-N forced five three and out, but was hamstrung by field position. The Bears started at their own 37 on average in the first half.
However, two second-quarter picks proved to be the beginning of the Eagles end on the day.
"I think it was really hurtful, because I mean the thing that happens—and we talk about all the time—how turnovers affect the game," Carson-Newman head football coach Mike Clowney said. "You know, it's bad enough when you give them the ball with a short field, but then when they get the opportunity to put it in the end zone, we've just got to stay settled, make a good read there and we're in good shape. I think we felt like we had a guy open, and we just kind of make the wrong read and then like you said, it's a full 14-point swing when you look at it. So we've got to make those plays."
Carson-Newman struck first. After the Eagles' defense forced a three-and-out, Carson-Newman marched down the field on a 10-play, 47-yard possession where C-N converted on a pair of third and sevens.
The drive stalled out at the 13 and C-N settled for a 30-yard Nate Craft (Salem, Va.) field goal and a 3-0 lead with 8:59 to play in the opening quarter.
The Bears answered with a 30-yard boot of their own from Jonathan Medlin at the conclusion of a 10-play, 24-yard drive that was set up by a 48-yard kickoff return by Ryan Carter.
The second quarter, the pendulum swung fully in Lenoir-Rhyne's favor. After a C-N three-and-out, backup tight end Malik Simmons grabbed his second catch of the season on a wide open wheel route along the left sideline.
The 25-yard score was also his second touchdown catch of the season and gave the Bears a 7-3 edge with 14:10 to play in the second quarter.
The teams flipped three-and-outs before C-N got the ball back at its own 21. On the third play of the possession, Percy King leapt in front of an Ivan Corbin (Warner Robbins, Ga.) pass and returned in 31 yards for the first defensive touchdown C-N has allowed since week 10 of 2021.
Carson-Newman's next two possessions both moved into Lenoir-Rhyne territory, but stalled out on a turnover on downs and a second King pick. Sandwiching that was a 10-play, 56-yard Bear drive punctuated by a Medlin 29-yard field goal.
The Eagles found offensive footing to start the second half, putting together an eight-play, 36-yard drive that ended when Craft blasted through his second field goal of the game, a 46-yarder that pulled C-N back within two touchdowns.
However, the Bears put together back-to-back lengthy scoring drives to grind out the game. Jadus Davis capped a 77-yard, 4:58 rive with a five yard run before McGee sprung free on a 30-yard gallop to cap the Bear scoring with 8:45 to go in the fourth.
C-N set the final margin with an eight-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a two-yard fade to Braxton Westfield (Simpsonville, S.C.). The catch was the 16th receiving TD of his C-N career, moving him into a tie for fifth with Tim Gaines (1974-77) on the all-time list.
Carson-Newman, the league's leading rushing team, was limited to a season low 104 yards on 32 carries. TJ King (Knoxville, Tenn.) guided the C-N ground game with 66 yards on 13 touches.
Corbin was 12-of-24 through the air for 110 yards and a score. He came in leading C-N on the ground, but only had seven yards on seven attempts (losing seven yards on two sacks).
Westfield led the Eagles in catches with five for 34 yards, while Korey Waters (Bradenton, Fla.) led C-N in receiving yardage for the first time in his career with three catches for 42 yards.
Sean White operated the Bears offense to the tune of 208 yards passing. He completed 17 of his 28 attempts and played turnover free. Deondre Lester was the benefactor of seven of his completions, leading all receivers with 93 yards.
The Bears won their fifth straight in the series, matching their longest winning streak in series history.
LR outgained C-N 351-214.
"I think (Defensive Coordinator Larry) Slade hit it on the head in the locker room," Clowney said. "It's about being an unbeatable one to where to where we've just got to make sure that we are one football team, and we've got to work together to get things done. And it's got to be our actions. It's not just me standing up and saying it. It's got to be something that we buy into and own."
Carson-Newman returns home Saturday to face off with Newberry at 1 p.m. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network starts at noon with the AEC Tailgate Show on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville), Mountain Sports 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
