JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman University Football Team (4-5, 3-4 SAC) jumped out to a 27-0 halftime lead on its way to a 37-7 South Atlantic Conference win over Emory & Henry College (4-5, 2-5 SAC) Saturday afternoon.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Carson-Newman 37, Emory & Henry 7
LOCATION – Jefferson City, Tennessee
VENUE – Burke-Tarr Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (4-5, 2-5 SAC); Carson-Newman (4-5, 3-4 SAC)
How It Happened
Carson-Newman took their opening drive 51 yards in seven plays, capped with a two-yard run by Tyree Nelson for a 7-0 lead at the 8:12 mark of the first quarter. The Eagles scored on their next two drives as well as Tyler Curtis rushed in from 32 yards out late in the opening period and Zane Whitson linked up with Jeron Newson with a 31-yard pass with 10:58 in the second.
C-N pushed their lead to 27-0 at the break as Cade Meeks hauled in a 52-yard catch-and-run from Whitson with 1:21 left on the clock. A bad snap on the resulting PAT would go down as a failed two-point conversion.
After forcing the Eagles to punt with a three-and-out to start the second half, Emory & Henry went down the field 55 yards on a six-play drive that covered 3:21. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Cam Abshire (Roanoke, Va.) capped the possession with a seven-yard touchdown catch from sophomore quarterback Charles Mutter, III (King George, Va.) to make it a 27-7 contest.
The Eagles responded on their next drive as Andrew Sybert nailed a 49-yard field goal to push the margin to 30-7. Carson-Newman capped the scoring at the 12:35 mark of the fourth quarter when James Maddox found the end zone after a three-yard run for a 37-7 final score.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
Mutter went 9-for-21 through the air for 137 yards and a touchdown as Abshire led with three catches for 64 yards and a score. Sophomore wide receiver Cam Peoples (Reidsville, N.C.) hauled in four receptions for 53 yards.
Junior linebacker Kaleb Lundy (Winston-Salem, N.C.) had nine tackles and two quarterback hurries while junior linebacker Josh McCray (Richmond, Va.) finished with eight stops. Fifth-year defensive back T.J. Payne (Chattanooga, Tenn.) notched seven tackles and also had a pass defended.
Carson-Newman Individual Leaders
Whitson threw for 211 yards on 10-for-17 passing for two touchdowns. Eight different Eagles caught passes on the afternoon with Meeks as the leading receiver thanks to his 52-yard touchdown reception.
Nelson rushed for a game-high 91 yards and a touchdown while Jayden Sullins and Curtis notched 48 and 47 yards on the ground, respectively.
Christian Hicks posted eight tackles with Mekhi Brown close behind with seven stops including a sack. Martavis Mason have five tackle, and 2.5 stops for a loss.
A Deeper Look
Carson-Newman outgained Emory & Henry 472-181 on total offense and racked up 23 first downs compared to just nine for the Wasps. The Eagles led, 256-44, on rushing yardage.
C-N was an efficient 7-for-14 (50%) on third down and converted its only fourth-down try while E&H was just 17 percent (2-for-12) on third down.
Emory & Henry was more disciplined, being flagged six times for 51 yards while Carson-Newman committed 10 violations for an even 100 yards.
C-N posted a 36:46-23:14 lead on time of possession.
Up Next
Emory & Henry returns home for its final two home games beginning with a visit from Erskine College next Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
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