VIDEO: Mike Clowney Interview
VIDEO: Highlights
VIDEO: Tyree Nelson Interview
VIDEO: Colt Sinor Interview
VIDEO: Zane Whitson Interview
VIDEO: Martavis Mason Interview
VIDEO: Christian Hicks Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — Carson-Newman opened the game hot and kept the fire raging over the next four quarters Saturday against Emory & Henry.
The Eagles dominated in every phase of the game, blowing out the Wasps, 37-7, on Homecoming in a South Atlantic Conference matchup inside Burke-Tarr Stadium.
The offensive performance puts Carson-Newman (4-5, 3-4 SAC) over 26,000 points scored in school history. The win over the Wasps (4-5, 3-4) came in the first meeting for the programs in Jefferson City in 48 years. It goes down as the ninth straight victory over Emory & Henry going back to 1967 and the seventh straight win over the Wasps at home dating back to 1963.
"The big thing is our guys are getting to the point where they're comfortable with what we're doing (on offense)," C-N head coach Mike Clowney said. "You can see it in practice, where we're a lot more productive and we're not having to go back and re-teach a lot of stuff. Them having a better concept of exactly what we're doing is starting to show up on the field and on the scoreboard."
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— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CN_Eagles) October 29, 2023
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As impressive as the offense was, unleashing 472 yards of total offense against Emory & Henry, it was the defense that set the tone from the opening snap for the Eagles. C-N forced a three-and-out in all but two possessions in a shutout first half, limited the Wasps to just 181 yards of total offense, nine first downs and held the No. 2 scoring offense in the SAC, averaging 27.4 points per game, to just a single touchdown. The Eagles recorded four sacks in the contest, the fourth consecutive game in which Carson-Newman has recorded four or more sacks.
"That was a big key to the game, being able to get that pressure," Clowney said. "Even a couple of times when we didn't get him on the ground, we got some decent shots on him. The guys did a good job up front not allowing him to be comfortable."
The Eagles have recorded at least one sack per game this season. If they keep that pace over the final two, it be the first time they've sacked a QB in every game since 2019 and just the second time they've hit that mark in 15 years.
While the defense shut the Wasps down, the offense lit up the scoreboard. The Eagles scored on every possession of the first half but one with a balanced attack that put up 259 yards on the ground and 213 yards in the air. Zane Whitson, getting the call at quarterback, was 9-of-16 for 208 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on the day. He added seven rushes for 28 yards.
"Our O-line did a great job," Whitson said. "It felt like I was playing backyard football, I was sitting back there so long. Our receivers did a great job and were able to make big-time plays. Everybody executed at a high level."
That execution started from the opening whistle. After the defense forced a quick punt, Major Willams returned the ball 42 yards to set the Eagles up at midfield. C-N pushed the ball down the field for the next 51 yards, with Nelson punching it in from the two to take a 7-0 lead. Nelson would lead the Eagles with 14 carries for 92 yards and the score. He added three receptions for 41 yards.
"It's been fun watching him (Nelson) return to form," Clowney said. "It's what we expected from him all year. The focus is there. The intensity is there. And just all those guys in the running back room, it's fun to watch them start competing in a healthy fashion. There were a lot of big runs, physical runs and those guys up front did a good job of creating situations for them."
After another Emory & Henry three-and-out, Carson-Newman bulldozed its way through the defense for an 86-yard, four-minute scoring drive. Tyler Curtis broke multiple tackles and busted loose for a 32-yard touchdown run down the left sideline.
C-N's defense again made short work of the Wasps' possession, forcing another three-and-out in the ensuing possession. This time it was Zane Whitson's arm that put the ball into the paint as he found a wide open Jeron Newsome for a 31-yard touchdown strike.
"We had a couple of big plays in the air," Clowney said. "Zane did a good job today controlling the offense. Offensively it was a good day. The defense stayed Steady Eddie with that they've been doing. We were able to keep pressure on the quarterback and control them on the ground."
With just 2:01 left in the half, the Eagles needed only 46 seconds to find the endzone again. Whitson fired a 52-yard touchdown pass to Cade Meeks to give Carson-Newman a 27-0 lead after a missed extra point. It was one of the few mishaps for the Eagles in the three phases of the game. C-N's offensive front dominated the line of scrimmage and did not surrender a sack.
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— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CN_Eagles) October 28, 2023
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"We talked about all week about owning the field," Clowney said. "That starts when you step onto the field and take control of the football game. I'm proud of them. They took that to heart. When you look at the rushing numbers, I thought we did a good job on the ground. That always entails the guys up front. They expanded and continued to go from where we were last year. We continued that up front."
Emory & Henry finally got into the endzone in the second half, with Charles Mutter tossing a seven-yard touchdown to Cam Abshire to cap a six-play, 55-yard drive.
Carson-Newman would answer back with a 49-yard field goal from Andrew Sybert on their following possession. It was just the second converted field goal for the Eagles this season and the longest of Sybert's career.
C-N opened the fourth quarter with their final scoring drive of the day. Whitson tossed a quick pass to Nelson to pick up 14 yards. Nelson picked up the next 13 yards on the ground, before Whitson found Jayden Sullens open on the right sideline for a 50-yard completion. Three plays later, James Maddox slid into the endzone for a three-yard score.
Carson-Newman shut out the Wasps the rest of the way. Of Emory & Henry's 10 possessions, five ended after just four plays. Mekhi Brown continued to lead the way on defense, recording six tackles, a sack and a tackle for a loss. Christian Hicks also had six tackles with half a tackle for a loss. Jake Cottle wrapped his night with three tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss and a forced fumble. Martavis Mason had a breakout performance, finishing with four tackles, 1.5 sacks and two tackles for a loss.
"He (Mason) has been fun to watch from day one," Clowney said. "His effort, his attitude and his energy, he's going to be a fun for Carson-Newman down the road."
With the game in hand, C-N was able to empty the bench in the fourth quarter to close out the Homecoming victory. The Eagles have two more games on the schedule, next week at Virginia-Wise and then the season finale hosting Catawba in Burke-Tarr Stadium. At stake? A second consecutive winning season for a team that's trending in the right direction on offense, defense and special teams.
"We've got two good football teams in front of us," Clowney said. "We've got to come out here Monday, go day-to-day and continue to work to get better. Then go up to wise and put our best effort on the field at 12 o'clock up there and then, presumably, the next week here against Catawba."
The Eagles hit the road next week to face off against Viriginia-Wise inside Carl Smith, Jr. Stadium next Saturday, Nov. 4. Kickoff is set for noon. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 11 a.m. with the AEC Tailgate Show on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville), Mountain Talk 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
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— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CN_Eagles) October 28, 2023
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FINAL pic.twitter.com/dNnWly2NOK
