VIDEO: Mike Clowney presser
VIDEO: 2022 Catawba Highlights
VIDEO: 2022 Full Catawba Broadcast
VIDEO: UVA Wise Cinematic Highlights
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (5-5, 4-4 South Atlantic Conference) will recognize 24 seniors as it strives to win a third consecutive game and secure a winning season against the Catawba College Catawba Indians (4-6, 2-6 SAC) Saturday at 1 p.m. in Burke-Tarr Stadium.
"I say it's exciting, but it's also kind of a sad time for us," Carson-Newman head football coach Mike Clowney said. "You've got a group of guys that have been in the program, worked their tails off, and have now come to the end of their eligibility. It's always mixed emotions. It's sad to see them leave, but I'm excited to see them go out into this world and see what they are able to do."
Carson-Newman has won its senior day contest in three straight seasons. The Eagles haven't dropped a senior day contest since 2018 and a 40-21 loss to Lenoir-Rhyne.
Carson-Newman has been on a tear to close the season. C-N has outscored its opposition 89-14 the last two weeks. On top of that, Carson-Newman has outgained its last three opponents 1,157-632 in terms of yards of total offense. An opponent hasn't gained more than 250 yards of offense against the Eagles since Oct. 7 against Tusculum.
Carson-Newman has dialed up the defensive pressure. The Eagles tallied four sacks in four consecutive weeks for the first time this century. The Eagles rank sixth in the nation in sacks. Carson-Newman's 34 sacks this season are tied for the 12th most in a season in school history. Another two sacks would move the Eagles into the top 10 all-time for sacks. Carson-Newman has a chance to tally a sack in every week of the season for the first time since 2019 and the fourth time this century.
"It's going to be us continuing to pull together," Clowney said. "Like you said, we've played complimentary football. Those guys have to continue doing that offensively and defensively. The big key is doing it with great energy and enthusiasm. That's been the difference the past couple weeks. Guys have showed up and been excited about the time we spent together, not just on Saturday, but throughout the week. Some of that carried over, and it showed in some of the yesterday. Hopefully, it will continue to show in them today and moving into Saturday."
Carson-Newman is 4-1 in the month of November under head coach Mike Clowney. Typically, an early-season opponent as a part of the SAC's schedule, the last two years of November meetings with the Indians are the fourth and fifth regular season meetings in the 56-game history of the series.
Catawba defensive back Denoris Wardlow is 11th nationally and the South Atlantic Conference's leader in interceptions. Wardlow had a pick six to seal a win two weeks ago against Barton en route to earning defensive player of the week honors for the league. He had a three-pick day in the Indians opener against Elizabeth City State.
Catawba quarterback Preston Brown is number two in the SAC in passing yards per game. Brown has a quartet of 300 yard passing performances this season, the last of which came on Oct. 7 in a 31-13 loss to Wingate. Brown is third in the league and 33rd nationally with 18 passing touchdowns. However, he hasn't found the end zone aerially in three straight weeks. He hurled six scores in week two's 55-15 beat down of Livingstone en route to player of the week honors.
"I think the thing that we've got to do is be sound in our approach," Clowney said. "We have to continue to do a good job of getting pressure up front. Forcing and winning first-downs is still going to be a big deal. We have to keep them in those second or third and long's to where we can force them to be predictable. We've got to know where reciever #6 is. We've got to know exactly where he's at. They do a good job of putting him in different spots and places. He's a solid football player, and he compliments the rest of their roster very well."
Thanks in part ot CoVID, this is Catawba's first visit to Jefferson City since 2019. The Eagles came away with a 59-14 win that day. Catawba hasn't picked up a victory in Jefferson City since 2015's 14-7 decision over C-N.
Shockingly, Carson-Newman's best marker for success is its passing game this year. The Eagles are 5-1 when they average 7.0 yards or greater per pass, and are 0-4 when below that mark.
Preseason All-America safety Major Williams is third among active Division II players in non-offensive touchdowns. Williams has a pick six, a fumble recovery and two punt return TDs to his name in his career. His second career punt return for a touchdown came at Newberry. The 65-yard return registers as the 10th-longest punt return in school history. He produced his first scoop and score against UVA Wise.
Carson-Newman has returned four kickoffs for touchdowns in the last three contests with Catawba (DeQuan Dudley, twice; Marcus Williams and Devon Moore). In fact, four of the last 11 kicks that the Eagles have returned agains the Indians have found the end zone. Carson-Newman has seven special teams touchdowns (two blocked punt returns by Elijah Davis and Caleb Goins, plus a regular punt return from Major Williams) in the last three meetings.
Kickoff between the Eagles and Indians is set for 1 p.m. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at noon with the AEC Tailgate Show on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville) and online at cneagles.com/live. A video stream is available through FloSports.
