JEFFERSON CITY, TN – The homestanding Eagles outscored visiting UVA Wise 21-3 in the second quarter and that proved to be the difference as 18
th-ranked Carson-Newman survived the upset attempt by the Highland Cavaliers 35-23 Saturday afternoon at Burke-Tarr Stadium.
With the win, the Eagles remain undefeated in the South Atlantic Conference and the Mountain Division, while the Cavs fall to fourth in the division.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: Carson-Newman 35, UVA Wise 23
Records: UVA Wise (2-4, 1-3 SAC); Carson-Newman (7-0, 5-0 SAC)
Location: Jefferson City, TN | Burke-Tarr Stadium
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After the first Cavalier drive stalled and they punted the ball away,
DaCorian Jones-Montgomery caused C-N's Jayden Sullins to fumble the ball at the Eagle 30-yard line. The Cavaliers then took over and faced fourth and one at the C-N 21-yard line when UVA Wise quarterback scampered 21 yards for the Cavalier touchdown.
- After each team had a drive go three-and-out, the Eagles would drive 48 yards on eight plays to tie the game up with a one-yard Zane Whitson touchdown run.
- The Eagles would open the second quarter with a touchdown pass from Whitson to Cade Meeks and take the lead for the first time. On the next UVA Wise drive, the Cavs would take the ball 49 yards down the field but stall out on the 16 yards line. They then got three points out of the possession on the 33-yard field goal by
Jordan Crabtree. Carson-Newman scored twice more to make it 28-10 at the half.
- Carson-Newman opened the second half with another touchdown sparked by a 48-yard run that set up a first and goal from the five-yard line, putting the Eagles up 35-10. It would be the last time the Eagles scored in the game.
- The Cavs started the next drive from their own 12-yard line and put together a 13 play, 88-yard drive that featured a 29-yard pass from Corkren to
Tashawn Taylor.
Dorien Goddard capped off the drive with his two-yard touchdown reception off the pass from Corkren.
- The Eagles then drove the ball to the UVA Wise two-yard line but were stopped for a loss when going for the touchdown on fourth down, giving the Cavs possession of the ball on their own six-yard line. A 28-yard catch by Taylor and a 22-yard run by Corkren helped the Cavs drive to the C-N ten-yard line. After a holding call gave the Cavs first down and goal to go from the five-yard line, Corkren again found Goddard in the end zone for the touchdown. They then tried for a two point conversion but were stopped the score stood at 35-23.
- Carson-Newman then drove to the UVA Wise nine-yard line, but their field goal attempt was blocked by
Jimmie Simmons. The next Cavalier drive stalled, and the Eagles then ran out the clock to escape with a 35-23 victory.
GETTING WISE
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Dorien Goddard once again had a big day as he had seven catches for 36 yards and two touchdowns. Taylor also had a big day as he caught five passes for 107 yards.
Seth Fischbach had three catches for 40 yards.
- Corkren went 30-48 for 279 yards and two touchdowns while also carrying the ball seven times for 53 yards and another touchdown.
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Raaphell Mayes II and
Kenneth Long both had nine tackles, including tackles for loss. Five other Cavs had six tackles apiece.
- Overall, the Cavs had 320 yards of offense (41 rushing, 279 passing) and averaged 9.3 yards per completion.
ABOUT C-N
- The Eagles had 503 yards of offense, going for 405 yards on the ground and 98 through the air.
- Sullins had 25 carries for 235 yards and a touchdown.
- Whitson also had 17 carries for 61 yards and two touchdowns in addition to going 6-10 for 98 yards and a touchdown through the air.
- C-N only had three players make pass receptions, with Jeremiah Carroll catching four for 47 yards.
UP NEXT
UVA Wise will return home to host Mars Hill next week. It is the first game of a two game homestand that marks the final appearances of the Cavs on the Beaty-Richmond Field this season. After Mars Hill, they host Tusculum for Senior Day and then go to Emory & Henry and Barton to close out the regular season. Mars Hill comes into the game with a 2-3 overall record and a 2-2 record in conference play following their 30-3 win over Tusculum earlier today.
