September 9, 2023

Bucs plunder Eagles after lengthy delay

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Carson-Newman’s (1-1) first match up with a Division 1-FCS opponent since 2007 was one to forget.

Carson-Newman

1-1

East Tenn. St.

1-1

Final	1	2	3	4	T
Carson-Newman (1-1)	0	0	0	0	0
East Tenn. St. (1-1)	14	7	14	7	42

VIDEO: Mike Clowney Interview

VIDEO: Highlights

VIDEO: Christian Hicks Interview

VIDEO: Major Williams Interview

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Carson-Newman's (1-1) first match up with a Division 1-FCS opponent since 2007 was one to forget.

While the trip up I-81 to Johnson City to face off against East Tennessee State University (1-1) might have been a short ride, it was a long trip home after a 42-0 shutout loss to the Buccaneers inside William B. Greene Stadium Saturday night.

The defeat snapped a four-game win streak for the Eagles (1-1), the fifth longest active streak in NCAA Division II.

"Offensively we struggled a bit and we struggled from a special teams perspective," C-N head coach Mike Clowney said. "I thought defensively we did a pretty good job competing in some tough situations. But we continued to encourage each other. We continued to make sure we stayed on the same football team. That's something a couple of years ago we wouldn't have done well. What it does is allow you to coach off of the things that are happening (in the game)."

It didn't help that the game was delayed three hours and 18 minutes by inclement weather, with the first lighting strike occurring while both teams were just beginning their warmups. With a kickoff slated for 5:30 p.m., the contest did not start until 8:48 p.m. The Eagles players didn't let the fellowship time go to waste.

"When you look at the scoreboard, you're not impressed with that at all, but there are things you are impressed with, like watching them deal with the three-hour delay," Clowney said. "I won't say they were patient, but they were ready to play football. They'll never forget the moments they spent together in that locker room. They did a great job of working and connecting with each other."

While the offense was shutout, the defense found an opportunity to shine. C-N held the Buccaneers to just 166 total yards in the first half, forced a turnover and held ETSU to just 3-of-11 on third down conversions. Linebackers Chrisitan Hicks and Jake Cottle both set career highs with eight tackles apiece. Hicks added half a sack and 1.5 tackles for a loss. Cottle had 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for a loss.

Special teams were a recurrent issue for Carson-Newman, with a block punt resulting in an ETSU touchdown two minutes before halftime. The Eagles struggled to block the Bucs' punt rush most of the night. In spite of that, C-N's 430 yards on its 12 punt attempts set a new school record. The Buccaneers' 127 punt return yards were the most surrendered in Carson-Newman history as were the seven punt returns. Andrew Sybert's seven punts in the game put him in the record books, tied for third all time for punts in a single game.

"It starts with us going back and making sure we do a good job getting some good off times." Clowney said. "We got hit by some pretty big bodies on the field today. Those guys (up front) have to make sure we step up and deliver that blow instead of absorbing it and giving them a chance to get close to the punter."

With Tre Luttrell held out with an injury, Carson-Newman utilized three quarterbacks in the contest, starting Kingsport native Zane Whitson, who'd himself been questionable all week. Whitson finished 4-of-15 for 34 yards in his quarter and a half of action before leaving with an injury.

"I think Zane did a good job today," Clowney said. "We really struggled up front with them (ETSU) today. It's hard to function when that happens. I think our guys up front do a great job, but this was a great learning lesson today."

Jaylen Myers and Walker Martinez finished out the game and their 28 combined pass attempts was tied for fourth all time in the C-N record book. Myers played the majority of the second half, finishing 5-of-12 for 85 yards and an interception.

"Overall, the quarterbacks operated pretty good," Clowney said. "You don't want to see the turnovers. We were running and made some desperation throws and that got us in trouble. Outside of that, they stayed calm and tried to command the offense. We'd like to see them take more control of the offense, but we have to keep one of them in there long enough to do that."

ETSU's average starting field position was at their own 47, which put C-N's defense in a bind most of the afternoon. Still, the Eagles managed to steal some momentum down 14-0 in the second quarter when, on a first-and-goal play from the nine, Jeterryous Jones forced a fumble that was recovered by Major Williams. It was Williams fourth career turnover, but the Eagles couldn't capitalize on it, suffering a three-and-out before the blocked punt that put the Buccaneers up 21-0 before the half.

With an average starting field position at its own 19, the Eagles only managed to get on ETSU's end of the field one time in the second half after a 10-yard pass from Meyers to Bryce Blevens took them to the Bucs 37-yard line. A penalty would back Carson-Newman up to the 47 and they would eventually punt.

"We gave them several short fields because of the kicking game," Clowney said. "We muff a punt down here and had to fight to get it back to the six. Then we punted… We really shot ourselves in the foot with the field position and the kicking game. But overall guys worked to try to stay into the game."

Cam Ferguson led the Eagles on the ground again, rushing 10 times for 28 yards. Bevins caught thee passes for 27 yards and Jerron Newson had two receptions for 28 yards. Jones co-led the team with Cottle and Hicks with eight tackles to go with half a tackle for a loss and a forced fumble.

As Carson-Newman hits the road again next Saturday to open its NCAA Division II and South Atlantic Conference schedule, Clowney, his coaches and players know what they must focus on this week in practice.

"We're still getting out of position and getting lined up in some areas, we've got to clean that up," Clowney said. "But the biggest part is we've got to clean the special teams up."

The Eagles will return to the field next Saturday, Sep. 16, when they travel to Gaffney, S.C. to take on the Limestone Saints at Saints Field. Kickoff is set for noon. Coverage on the Eagle Sports Network begins at 11 a.m. with the AEC Tailgate Show on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville), Mountain Talk 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.