VIDEO: Watch Party
VIDEO: Cade Meeks Interview
VIDEO: Major Williams Interview
INDIANAPOLIS - Carson-Newman football is back on familiar ground, headed to the NCAA playoffs for the 17th time and postseason play overall for the 31st time in the history of the program.
The Eagles are making their first appearance in postseason play since 2019 in Ashley Ingram's first year as head coach.
C-N will take on fourth-seeded and SIAC Champion Miles College at Albert J. Sloan Alumni Stadium in Fairfield, Ala., on Nov. 23. Kickoff time, ticket information and broadcast information will be available later in the week. This will be Carson-Newman's first visit to the state of Alabama in 15 years and its first matchup ever with Miles.
"I'm so proud of this team for their efforts over the last 10 months buying in from the moment this staff set foot on campus," Ingram said. "I'm eager to see their story continue and make postseason play. It's thrilling to see the fruits of their labor and faith realized and to still be one of 28 teams playing football on Nov. 23. Our players earned their inclusion in this field."
Carson-Newman is one of three South Atlantic Conference teams to make the field. Wingate plays host to Virginia Union, while Lenoir-Rhyne travels to West Alabam. Top-ranked and top-seeded Valdosta State gets a first round bye. Should the Eagles triumph over Miles, they'll take on the winner of the Blazers at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Ga. on Nov. 30.
The playoff appearance continues an incredible streak for Carson-Newman football. Every senior class that has come through the program has made at least one NCAA playoff appearance since 1982.
While the Eagles have never faced Miles, the SIAC champions, they do have several all-time meetings with the league, but none this century.
Carson-Newman last faced off with an SIAC member in 1998, prevailing 38-31 in overtime in Burke-Tarr Stadium over Fort Valley State in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA playoffs.
Many battles against the league came in the form of legendary rival Central State – whom C-N met in the playoffs ever season from 1987-1990. C-N is 9-3-1 all-time against the league's membership (Central State was not a member of the SIAC when the Eagles played them, but currently are SIAC members).
C-N will effort to buck a recent trend of road struggles in the playoffs. Trips outside Jeff City haven't been fun for Carson-Newman. The Eagles are 3-16 away from Burke-Tarr Stadium in the Division II playoffs. The Eagles three victories came in first round of the 2019 playoffs against Bowie State, the quarterfinals of the 2009 playoffs against North Alabama and in the first round of the 2003 postseason with a win over Valdosta State.
Carson-Newman is 40-21-1 in postseason play since 1980.
