Carson-Newman Football Position Previews: The Special Teamers
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The following is part six in an eight-part series chronicling Carson-Newman football’s positions for the 2021 season. This feature goes in-depth on the Eagles’ kickers, punters and return men with help from special teams coordinator Antonio Goss.
VIDEO: Antonio Goss Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The following is part six in an eight-part series chronicling Carson-Newman football's positions for the 2021 season. This feature goes in-depth on the Eagles' kickers, punters and return men with help from special teams coordinator Antonio Goss.
While the sample size is small, Christian Erwin (York, S.C.) made an immediate impact in his first career game on March 13 against UVA Wise.
After drilling game-tying and winning 40+ yard field goals in Carson-Newman football's 40+37 overtime win over UVA Wise, Erwin was named the AstroTurf South Atlantic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week. Erwin connected on 4-of-5 field goal attempts and all three of his extra points. In his second collegiate kick, he booted a 49-yard field goal through with 31 seconds left in regulation to force overtime (his previous long in high school was 45 yards). Erwin then proceeded to knock home 27, 36 and 43-yarders to win it for the Eagles in a four-overtime special that matched the longest game in school history.
"Christian has a mentality that when he goes out there it has to be 100 percent correct," Goss said. "That's technique, stance, everything through the uprights. Physically, he's changed his body type. Now mentally he just has to make sure he remains there 100 percent, and he has done that so far."
The freshman put his name into the Carson-Newman record books with the performance. Erwin joined Curt Duncan as the only kickers to make four field goals in a game in school history. Duncan did his feat twice, against Lenoir-Rhyne (9-22-12) and Valdosta State (12-1-12). His 16 points are the second most scored by a kicker in program history. Second to Duncan (17 against L-R) and Carson Wise (17 against Tusculum). In addition to his prolific scoring, Erwin also made a game-saving tackle on a kickoff return that was bound for the end zone.
Meanwhile, the Eagles turn punting duties over to Happy Valley's Michael Harrah (Elizabethton, Tenn.) following the graduating of Drew Eudy.
"It takes the pressure off one guy trying to do it all," Goss said. "Michael has taken the lead there and will look to maintain consistency that we have developed."
Harrah redshirted in 2019 and wasn't called into service in the spring game in 2021.
In high school, Harrah had a long punt of 51 yards while going 23-for-26 on PATs as a senior for coach Jason Jarrett at Happy Valley. He was the 2A region special teams player of the year as a senior and an all-county selection. He helped the Warriors to a pair of conference titles.
Andrew Bradshaw takes over the long snapping duties for a spot that has produced an all-league long snapper in seven of the last nine seasons in the form of Dusty Nance and Dawson Campbell.
In the return game, the Eagles lose Marcus Williams, one of five men in program history to return to kickoffs for touchdowns in a career, to graduation. However, the fastest man in college football returns in Devon Moore.
A 10-time All-American for Carson-Newman's track and field program, Moore owns a career-best 10.12 in the 100 meter dash. On the football field in 2019, Moore caught two passes for 31 yards, ran the ball twice for 21 yards and a score and returned seven kicks for 238 yards and a score. Moore returned his first kick of the season 93 yards for a score against Catawba (10/12). He took a reverse 20 yards to the house against Tusculum (11/16).
"When he is back there, it motivates our blockers," Goss said. "They want to block because all he needs is a sliver to break one loose. It's very motivating for us as a team. Devon's not the only one with speed. Dequan Dudley and Jelan Pearson are fast two and all three can take anything for six at any time."
Moore will line up to return kicks with fellow speeders Dequan Dudley (Harvey, Ill.) and Jelan Pearson (Ellenwood, Ga.).
Carson-Newman's position previews continue Tuesday with the defensive backfield.
