Related Bios
18 Bennett Smith
Bennett Smith
  • Height:
    5-8
  • Weight:
    150
  • Year:
    Freshman
  • Hometown:
    Cleveland, Tenn.
  • High School:
    Cleveland
  • Position:
    K
  • fg
    9-14
  • pat
    41-43
  • pts
    68
Bio

2024: Smith connected on 9-of-14 field goals on the year with a long of 45 coming in the SAC title game at Wingate. He earned SAC Player of the Week honors after drilling a game-winning field goal in overtime in a 31-28 overtime win over Wingate (Sept. 21) in the SAC opener. Smith booted a 34-yard field goal, one of three he connected on the day, to help the Eagles triumph over No. 23 Wingate. Smith's kick is the first game-winning kick by a C-N kicker since Christian Erwin's 44-yarder against UVA Wise in the spring CoVID season in 2021.  Smith is also the first Eagle kicker since Erwin's day against the Highland Cavaliers to connect on three or more field goals in a game. Smith also drilled field goals from 38 and 37 yards, in addition to his game-winning kick. He was also true on two extra point attempts.  Smith was the Eagles' leading scorer for 2024 with 66 points scored. 

HONORS: 

  • SAC Special Teams Player of the Week (9/23) 

2023: Smith appeared in one game, attempting an extra point at Newberry (Sep. 30).  

HIGH SCHOOL: Bennett was a standout kicker for Cleveland High School, finishing 4th in the Bradley County in points during the 2022 season with 60/62 PAT and 14/15 FG, including a long of 38 yards and a net average of 47.57. He was named team captain in 2022, and received multiple Special Teams Player of the Week honors in both 2021 and 2022, as well as being named Special Teams Player of the Year in 2022 and All-County Kicker in 2023.

PERSONAL: Bennett is the son of Wes and Amy Smith. He plans to study to be an engineer. He was a member of the National Honor Society and a Raider Scholar in high school. Bennett also played soccer and golf at Cleveland High School, helping the soccer team reach the sub-state in 2021. Bennett's cousin, Rheagan Hall, played women's golf at UTC. Bennett chose Carson-Newman for its coaching staff, welcoming environment, and focus on Christ.

Recent games
Date Opponent Result
Oct 19 Virginia-Wise W, 35-23
Oct 26 at RV Emory & Henry L, 17-10
Nov 2 Anderson W, 28-7
Nov 9 at Tusculum W, 56-14
Nov 16 at #23/18 Wingate L, 28-13
Nov 23 at #22 Miles L, 14-13
Season Statistics
  Overall Conference
Field goals made 9 4
Field goal attempts 14 7
Field goal % 64% 57%
Field goal long 45 38
P-A-T made 41 31
P-A-T attempts 43 31
P-A-T % 95% 100%
Points 68 43
Game Log - Passing
Date Opponent Score comp att pct yds y/a td int sac yds
Aug 29 #18 Reinhardt W, 50-7 - - - - - - - - -
Sep 13 at West Virginia St. W, 56-25 - - - - - - - - -
Sep 21 #24/23 Wingate W, 31-28 - - - - - - - - -
Sep 28 at Catawba W, 35-34 - - - - - - - - -
Oct 5 Barton W, 28-17 - - - - - - - - -
Oct 12 at Mars Hill W, 28-27 - - - - - - - - -
Oct 19 Virginia-Wise W, 35-23 - - - - - - - - -
Oct 26 at RV Emory & Henry L, 17-10 - - - - - - - - -
Nov 2 Anderson W, 28-7 - - - - - - - - -
Nov 9 at Tusculum W, 56-14 - - - - - - - - -
Nov 16 at #23/18 Wingate L, 28-13 - - - - - - - - -
Nov 23 at #22 Miles L, 14-13 - - - - - - - - -
Game Log - Rushing
Date Opponent Score rush yds y/a lng td fum lost
Aug 29 #18 Reinhardt W, 50-7 - - - - - - -
Sep 13 at West Virginia St. W, 56-25 - - - - - - -
Sep 21 #24/23 Wingate W, 31-28 - - - - - - -
Sep 28 at Catawba W, 35-34 - - - - - - -
Oct 5 Barton W, 28-17 - - - - - - -
Oct 12 at Mars Hill W, 28-27 - - - - - - -
Oct 19 Virginia-Wise W, 35-23 - - - - - - -
Oct 26 at RV Emory & Henry L, 17-10 - - - - - - -
Nov 2 Anderson W, 28-7 - - - - - - -
Nov 9 at Tusculum W, 56-14 - - - - - - -
Nov 16 at #23/18 Wingate L, 28-13 - - - - - - -
Nov 23 at #22 Miles L, 14-13 - - - - - - -
Game Log - Receiving
Date Opponent Score rec yds y/r lng td fum lost
Aug 29 #18 Reinhardt W, 50-7 - - - - - - -
Sep 13 at West Virginia St. W, 56-25 - - - - - - -
Sep 21 #24/23 Wingate W, 31-28 - - - - - - -
Sep 28 at Catawba W, 35-34 - - - - - - -
Oct 5 Barton W, 28-17 - - - - - - -
Oct 12 at Mars Hill W, 28-27 - - - - - - -
Oct 19 Virginia-Wise W, 35-23 - - - - - - -
Oct 26 at RV Emory & Henry L, 17-10 - - - - - - -
Nov 2 Anderson W, 28-7 - - - - - - -
Nov 9 at Tusculum W, 56-14 - - - - - - -
Nov 16 at #23/18 Wingate L, 28-13 - - - - - - -
Nov 23 at #22 Miles L, 14-13 - - - - - - -
Game Log - Kicking
Date Opponent Score fgm fga lng xpm xpa pts
Aug 29 #18 Reinhardt W, 50-7 1 1 19 3 4 6
Sep 13 at West Virginia St. W, 56-25 0 1 0 5 6 5
Sep 21 #24/23 Wingate W, 31-28 3 3 38 2 2 11
Sep 28 at Catawba W, 35-34 - - - 5 5 5
Oct 5 Barton W, 28-17 - - - 4 4 4
Oct 12 at Mars Hill W, 28-27 - - - 4 4 4
Oct 19 Virginia-Wise W, 35-23 0 1 0 5 5 5
Oct 26 at RV Emory & Henry L, 17-10 1 1 23 1 1 4
Nov 2 Anderson W, 28-7 0 2 0 4 4 4
Nov 9 at Tusculum W, 56-14 - - - 6 6 6
Nov 16 at #23/18 Wingate L, 28-13 2 2 45 1 1 7
Nov 23 at #22 Miles L, 14-13 2 3 43 1 1 7
Game Log - Punting
Date Opponent Score punt yds avg long in20 fc tb blk
Aug 29 #18 Reinhardt W, 50-7 - - - - - - - -
Sep 13 at West Virginia St. W, 56-25 - - - - - - - -
Sep 21 #24/23 Wingate W, 31-28 - - - - - - - -
Sep 28 at Catawba W, 35-34 - - - - - - - -
Oct 5 Barton W, 28-17 - - - - - - - -
Oct 12 at Mars Hill W, 28-27 - - - - - - - -
Oct 19 Virginia-Wise W, 35-23 - - - - - - - -
Oct 26 at RV Emory & Henry L, 17-10 - - - - - - - -
Nov 2 Anderson W, 28-7 - - - - - - - -
Nov 9 at Tusculum W, 56-14 - - - - - - - -
Nov 16 at #23/18 Wingate L, 28-13 - - - - - - - -
Nov 23 at #22 Miles L, 14-13 - - - - - - - -
Game Log - Returns
Date Opponent Score kr yds avg lng td pr yds avg lng td
Aug 29 #18 Reinhardt W, 50-7 - - - - - - - - - -
Sep 13 at West Virginia St. W, 56-25 - - - - - - - - - -
Sep 21 #24/23 Wingate W, 31-28 - - - - - - - - - -
Sep 28 at Catawba W, 35-34 - - - - - - - - - -
Oct 5 Barton W, 28-17 - - - - - - - - - -
Oct 12 at Mars Hill W, 28-27 - - - - - - - - - -
Oct 19 Virginia-Wise W, 35-23 - - - - - - - - - -
Oct 26 at RV Emory & Henry L, 17-10 - - - - - - - - - -
Nov 2 Anderson W, 28-7 - - - - - - - - - -
Nov 9 at Tusculum W, 56-14 - - - - - - - - - -
Nov 16 at #23/18 Wingate L, 28-13 - - - - - - - - - -
Nov 23 at #22 Miles L, 14-13 - - - - - - - - - -
Game Log - All-Purpose
Date Opponent Score gp rush rcv pr kr yds
Aug 29 #18 Reinhardt W, 50-7 1 - - - - 0
Sep 13 at West Virginia St. W, 56-25 1 - - - - 0
Sep 21 #24/23 Wingate W, 31-28 1 - - - - 0
Sep 28 at Catawba W, 35-34 1 - - - - 0
Oct 5 Barton W, 28-17 1 - - - - 0
Oct 12 at Mars Hill W, 28-27 1 - - - - 0
Oct 19 Virginia-Wise W, 35-23 1 - - - - 0
Oct 26 at RV Emory & Henry L, 17-10 1 - - - - 0
Nov 2 Anderson W, 28-7 1 - - - - 0
Nov 9 at Tusculum W, 56-14 1 - - - - 0
Nov 16 at #23/18 Wingate L, 28-13 1 - - - - 0
Nov 23 at #22 Miles L, 14-13 1 - - - - 0
Game Log - Scoring
Date Opponent Score pts rush rec kr pr int fum xpm fgm saf misc 2pt
Aug 29 #18 Reinhardt W, 50-7 6 - - - - - - 3 1 - 0 0
Sep 13 at West Virginia St. W, 56-25 5 - - - - - - 5 0 - 0 0
Sep 21 #24/23 Wingate W, 31-28 11 - - - - - - 2 3 - 0 0
Sep 28 at Catawba W, 35-34 5 - - - - - - 5 - - 0 0
Oct 5 Barton W, 28-17 4 - - - - - - 4 - - 0 0
Oct 12 at Mars Hill W, 28-27 4 - - - - - - 4 - - 0 0
Oct 19 Virginia-Wise W, 35-23 5 - - - - - - 5 0 - 0 0
Oct 26 at RV Emory & Henry L, 17-10 4 - - - - - - 1 1 0 0 0
Nov 2 Anderson W, 28-7 4 - - - - - - 4 0 - 0 0
Nov 9 at Tusculum W, 56-14 6 - - - - - - 6 - - 0 0
Nov 16 at #23/18 Wingate L, 28-13 7 - - - - - - 1 2 - 0 0
Nov 23 at #22 Miles L, 14-13 7 - - - - - - 1 2 - 0 0
Game Log - Defense
Date Opponent Score tack ast tot sack lost tfl yds ff fr td int yds td brup blk saf
Aug 29 #18 Reinhardt W, 50-7 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Sep 13 at West Virginia St. W, 56-25 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Sep 21 #24/23 Wingate W, 31-28 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Sep 28 at Catawba W, 35-34 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Oct 5 Barton W, 28-17 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Oct 12 at Mars Hill W, 28-27 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Oct 19 Virginia-Wise W, 35-23 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Oct 26 at RV Emory & Henry L, 17-10 0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0 - 0 0 - 0 0 0
Nov 2 Anderson W, 28-7 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Nov 9 at Tusculum W, 56-14 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Nov 16 at #23/18 Wingate L, 28-13 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
Nov 23 at #22 Miles L, 14-13 - - 0.0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - - - -
gp comp att pct yds y/g y/a td int lg effic
2023-24 1 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
2024-25 12 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
2025-26 - - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Total 13 - - - - - - - - - 0.0

Career Stats: Passing

gp rush yds y/g avg td lg fum lost
2023-24 1 - - - - - - - -
2024-25 12 - - - - - - - -
2025-26 - - - - - - - - -
Total 13 - - - - - - - -

Career Stats: Rushing

gp rec rec/g yds y/g avg td lg
2023-24 1 - - - - - - -
2024-25 12 - - - - - - -
2025-26 - - - - - - - -
Total 13 - - - - - - -

Career Stats: Receiving

gp fgm fga pct lg xpm xpa pct pts
2023-24 1 - - - - 0 1 0% 0
2024-25 12 9 14 64% 45 41 43 95% 68
2025-26 - - - - - - - - 0
Total 13 9 14 64% 45 41 44 93% 68

Career Stats: Kicking

gp punt yds avg lg in20 fc tb blk
2023-24 1 - - - - - - - -
2024-25 12 - - - - - - - -
2025-26 - - - - - - - - -
Total 13 - - - - - - - -

Career Stats: Punting

kr yds avg td lg pr yds avg td lg
2023-24 - - - - - - - - - -
2024-25 - - - - - - - - - -
2025-26 - - - - - - - - - -
Total - - - - - - - - - -

Career Stats: Returns

gp rush rcv pr kr yds ypg
2023-24 1 - - - - 0 .0
2024-25 12 - - - - 0 .0
2025-26 - - - - - 0 -
Total 13 - - - - 0 .0

Career Stats: All-Purpose

pts pts/g rush rec kr pr int fum xpm fgm 2pt misc
2023-24 0 0.0 - - - - - - 0 - 0 0
2024-25 68 5.7 - - - - - - 41 9 0 0
2025-26 0 - - - - - - - - - - 0
Total 68 5.2 - - - - - - 41 9 0 0

Career Stats: Scoring

gp tkl ast tot tkl/g sck yds tfl yds ff fr yds int yds brup blk
2023-24 1 - - 0.0 .0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
2024-25 12 0 0 0.0 .0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2025-26 - - - 0.0 - - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
Total 13 0 0 0.0 .0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Career Stats: Defense

gp comp att pct yds y/g y/a td int lg effic
Event
Total 12 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Conference 8 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Exhibition - - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Location
Home 5 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Away 7 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Neutral - - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Result
Wins 9 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Losses 3 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
Month
August 1 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
September 3 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
October 4 - - - - - - - - - 0.0
November 4 - - - - - - - - - 0.0

Splits Stats: Passing

gp rush yds y/g avg td lg fum lost
Event
Total 12 - - - - - - - -
Conference 8 - - - - - - - -
Exhibition - - - - - - - - -
Location
Home 5 - - - - - - - -
Away 7 - - - - - - - -
Neutral - - - - - - - - -
Result
Wins 9 - - - - - - - -
Losses 3 - - - - - - - -
Month
August 1 - - - - - - - -
September 3 - - - - - - - -
October 4 - - - - - - - -
November 4 - - - - - - - -

Splits Stats: Rushing

gp rec rec/g yds y/g avg td lg
Event
Total 12 - - - - - - -
Conference 8 - - - - - - -
Exhibition - - - - - - - -
Location
Home 5 - - - - - - -
Away 7 - - - - - - -
Neutral - - - - - - - -
Result
Wins 9 - - - - - - -
Losses 3 - - - - - - -
Month
August 1 - - - - - - -
September 3 - - - - - - -
October 4 - - - - - - -
November 4 - - - - - - -

Splits Stats: Receiving

gp fgm fga pct lg xpm xpa pct pts
Event
Total 12 9 14 64% 45 41 43 95% 68
Conference 8 4 7 57% 38 31 31 100% 43
Exhibition - - - - - - - - 0
Location
Home 5 4 7 57% 38 18 19 95% 30
Away 7 5 7 71% 45 23 24 96% 38
Neutral - - - - - - - - 0
Result
Wins 9 4 8 50% 38 38 40 95% 50
Losses 3 5 6 83% 45 3 3 100% 18
Month
August 1 1 1 100% 19 3 4 75% 6
September 3 3 4 75% 38 12 13 92% 21
October 4 1 2 50% 23 14 14 100% 17
November 4 4 7 57% 45 12 12 100% 24

Splits Stats: Kicking

gp punt yds avg lg in20 fc tb blk
Event
Total 12 - - - - - - - -
Conference 8 - - - - - - - -
Exhibition - - - - - - - - -
Location
Home 5 - - - - - - - -
Away 7 - - - - - - - -
Neutral - - - - - - - - -
Result
Wins 9 - - - - - - - -
Losses 3 - - - - - - - -
Month
August 1 - - - - - - - -
September 3 - - - - - - - -
October 4 - - - - - - - -
November 4 - - - - - - - -

Splits Stats: Punting

kr yds avg td lg pr yds avg td lg
Event
Total - - - - - - - - - -
Conference - - - - - - - - - -
Exhibition - - - - - - - - - -
Location
Home - - - - - - - - - -
Away - - - - - - - - - -
Neutral - - - - - - - - - -
Result
Wins - - - - - - - - - -
Losses - - - - - - - - - -
Month
August - - - - - - - - - -
September - - - - - - - - - -
October - - - - - - - - - -
November - - - - - - - - - -

Splits Stats: Returns

gp rush rcv pr kr yds ypg
Event
Total 12 - - - - 0 .0
Conference 8 - - - - 0 .0
Exhibition - - - - - 0 -
Location
Home 5 - - - - 0 .0
Away 7 - - - - 0 .0
Neutral - - - - - 0 -
Result
Wins 9 - - - - 0 .0
Losses 3 - - - - 0 .0
Month
August 1 - - - - 0 .0
September 3 - - - - 0 .0
October 4 - - - - 0 .0
November 4 - - - - 0 .0

Splits Stats: All-Purpose

pts pts/g rush rec kr pr int fum xpm fgm 2pt misc
Event
Total 68 5.7 - - - - - - 41 9 0 0
Conference 43 5.4 - - - - - - 31 4 0 0
Exhibition 0 - - - - - - - - - - 0
Location
Home 30 6.0 - - - - - - 18 4 0 0
Away 38 5.4 - - - - - - 23 5 0 0
Neutral 0 - - - - - - - - - - 0
Result
Wins 50 5.6 - - - - - - 38 4 0 0
Losses 18 6.0 - - - - - - 3 5 0 0
Month
August 6 6.0 - - - - - - 3 1 0 0
September 21 7.0 - - - - - - 12 3 0 0
October 17 4.3 - - - - - - 14 1 0 0
November 24 6.0 - - - - - - 12 4 0 0

Splits Stats: Scoring

gp tkl ast tot tkl/g sck yds tfl yds ff fr yds int yds brup blk
Event
Total 12 0 0 0.0 .0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Conference 8 0 0 0.0 .0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Exhibition - - - 0.0 - - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
Location
Home 5 - - 0.0 .0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
Away 7 0 0 0.0 .0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Neutral - - - 0.0 - - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
Result
Wins 9 - - 0.0 .0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
Losses 3 0 0 0.0 .0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Month
August 1 - - 0.0 .0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
September 3 - - 0.0 .0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -
October 4 0 0 0.0 .0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
November 4 - - 0.0 .0 - - 0.0 - - - - - - - -

Splits Stats: Defense

News mentions
No. 19/20 C-N falls in SAC title game in defensive slugfest with No. 23/18 Wingate
  • Article
  • November 16, 2024
No. 19/20 C-N falls in SAC title game in defensive slugfest with No. 23/18 Wingate

WINGATE, N.C. — In a battle of elite defensive football teams, No. 19/20 Carson-Newman fell short. The 23/18 ranked Wingate Bulldogs held the Eagles to just 84 yards of total offense in a 28-13 loss in the South Atlantic Conference Championship Game Saturday at Irwin Belk Stadium.

  • November 16, 2024
Staunch defense propels No. 24/25 C-N to Homecoming, Senior Day triumph over Anderson
  • Article
  • November 02, 2024
Staunch defense propels No. 24/25 C-N to Homecoming, Senior Day triumph over Anderson

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — Carson-Newman got off to a slow start, but a second half surge coupled with a hegemonic defensive effort took care of business on Homecoming and Senior Day. The No. 24/25 Eagles regained the top spot in the South Atlantic Conference Mountain Division with a 28-7 victory over Anderson (S.C) at Burke-Tarr Stadium Saturday.

  • November 02, 2024
Turnovers cost No. 17/17 Eagles in 17-10 loss at Emory & Henry
  • Article
  • October 26, 2024
Turnovers cost No. 17/17 Eagles in 17-10 loss at Emory & Henry

EMORY, Va. — Carson-Newman saw a chance to secure a South Atlantic Conference Mountain Division title slip through its fingers Saturday, as four turnovers doomed the No. 17/17-ranked Eagles in a 17-10 loss to Emory & Henry at Fred Selfe Stadium.

  • October 26, 2024
Sullins ropes in WePlayed Sports SAC Offensive Player of the Week honors
  • Article
  • October 21, 2024
Sullins ropes in WePlayed Sports SAC Offensive Player of the Week honors

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Carson-Newman junior fullback Jayden Sullins (Cullman, Ala.) has been named the WePlayed Sports South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday afternoon. 

  • October 21, 2024
EKG Eagles steal 28-27 win at Mars Hill at the horn
  • Article
  • October 12, 2024
EKG Eagles steal 28-27 win at Mars Hill at the horn

MARS HILL. N.C. — It all began with a play the team has already dubbed, “The On-Sybert.”

  • October 12, 2024
Smith snags SAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors
  • Article
  • September 23, 2024
Smith snags SAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors

ROCK HILL, S.C. - For the third time in as many weeks as its played football, Carson-Newman has had a player chosen as the WePlayed Sports SAC Special Teams Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday afternoon.

  • September 23, 2024
Opportunistic Eagles grit out 31-28 OT win over No. 24/23 Wingate
  • Article
  • September 21, 2024
Opportunistic Eagles grit out 31-28 OT win over No. 24/23 Wingate

JEFFRESON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (3-0, 1-0 South Atlantic Conference) and its triple option attack only rushed for 57 yards against No. 24/23 Wingate’s (2-1, 0-1 SAC) vaunted defensive line. 

  • September 21, 2024
C-N opens Ingram era with resounding beatdown of Reinhardt
  • Article
  • August 29, 2024
C-N opens Ingram era with resounding beatdown of Reinhardt

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — It was an emphatic opening curtain for the Ashley Ingram era at Carson-Newman University as the Eagles crushed visiting NAIA power Reinhardt, 50-7, Thursday night inside Burke-Tarr Stadium.

  • August 29, 2024
Carson-Newman Football Position Previews: The Specialists
  • Article
  • August 16, 2024
Carson-Newman Football Position Previews: The Specialists

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – This is the fifth part in an eight-part series chronicling Carson-Newman football's positions for the 2024 season. This feature breaks down the Eagles’ special teams with special teams coordinator Antonio Goss.

  • August 16, 2024