VIDEO: Bennett Smith postgame interview

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.

Redshirt-freshman kicker Bennett Smith joined Cam Ferguson and Fortune Woods as the trio of Eagles to earn the league's special teams player of the week honors this season.  

Smith booted a 34-yard field goal, one of three he connected on the day, to help the Eagles triumph over No. 23 Wingate, 31-28, in overtime on Saturday.  

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. 

This is the first time Carson-Newman has had three special teams player of the week honors since the 2015 season when Carson Wise was recognized three times and Justin Long once. 

Smith and the rest of the Eagles will be in action Saturday at 6 p.m. at Catawba.  Pregame coverage begins at 5 p.m. with the AEC Tailgate Show on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville), MIX 105.5 (WSEV-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.