C-N starts fast, takes Homecoming win over Wise 35-14
October 25, 2025

C-N starts fast, takes Homecoming win over Wise 35-14

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. —  If UVA Wise had any serious plans to upset Carson-Newman on Homecoming, those were scrapped early thanks to a Richemard Mellien interception on the Highland Cavaliers’ first possession. The Eagles scored touchdowns on five of their next seven possessions to run the Cavaliers out of Burke-Tarr Stadium 35-14 Saturday.

VIDEO: Ashley Ingram Interview

VIDEO: Highlights

VIDEO: Zane Whitson Interview

VIDEO: Don Bradley Interview

VIDEO: Javian Winston Interview

VIDEO: Jimi Olarinde Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. —  If UVA Wise had any serious plans to upset Carson-Newman on Homecoming, those were scrapped early thanks to a Richemard Mellien interception on the Highland Cavaliers' first possession. The Eagles scored touchdowns on five of their next seven possessions to run the Cavaliers out of Burke-Tarr Stadium 35-14 Saturday.

Carson-Newman (5-2, 4-2 South Atlantic Conference) set a season high in total offense, rolling up 443 total yards, en route to a fourth straight Homecoming win.   The Eagles have won eight consecutive home games, the 13th time in school history C-N has enjoyed a home winning streak of seven or more.

Saturday the defense held Wise to just 119 total yards on the ground and kept the Cavaliers (1-7, 1-6) out of the end zone until late in the third quarter with the game well in hand. C-N kept consistent pressure on Wise's QBs.  C-N racked up four sacks for a second straight week, to bring its streak of consecutive weeks with a sack to 30.  The Eagles have recorded at least one sack in 38 of their last 39 contests.

"We did a great job covering on the back end," C-N head coach Ashely Ingram said. "That allowed us to bring some guys up front. We're relentless in our rush and Coach (Defensive Coordinator Tyler) Almond and the defensive staff are creative in what they're doing."

That defense was stout from the beginning, not only ending UVA Wise's opening drive with the pick but forcing three three-and-outs in the first half. The Cavaliers ran a total of 21 offensive plays in the game's first 30 minutes. C-N contained the league's leading rusher, Daniel Thomas to 42 yards on 11 carries. He was averaging 109 yards per game coming in. 

"Coach Almond, he calls out great plays so all the D-linemen, linebackers, safeties we all just rush play for each other," Carson-Newman edge rusher Jimi Olarinde said. "Every day we pride ourselves to be the closest team in America. Each and every day we trust each other. We trust the front end, the back end and we go out there and play ball."

Olarinde finished the game with five tackles, 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for a loss. Cruz Temple, Jet Jones and Brady Weatherly all recorded five tackles as well. Jones added a tackle for a loss and a pass breakup.  

While the Cavs struggled to gain any ground in Burke-Tarr Saturday, C-N quarterback Zane Whitson had his offense humming. The senior signal caller had a career day, leading a touchdown drive every time he was on the field. Whitson took the first one in himself, a four-yard TD run that capped a 12-play, 67-yard scoring drive to put the Eagles up 7-0.

"That's us," Whitson said. "If we can establish the run game, then we can go over the top like we did a couple of times. That's fundamental for us. It's what we're good at and what we want to be good at. That's what we did today."

Whitson proved that true on his second possession, finding Don Bradley open on the right side of the field on a wheel route that the junior running back took the house for a 29-yard touchdown reception to make the score 14-0.

"We've been working on that play the past couple of weeks, trying to figure out different ways to do everything," Bradley said. "It finally hit and opened up how it's supposed to. (wide receiver) Cade (Meeks) made a good block on the goal line and I was able to get it in."

Meeks would set up C-N's next score with a 31-yard punt return that gave the Eagles the ball on Wise's 35-yard line. Three plays later Whitson hit Cam Ferguson in stride for a 32-yard touchdown. The Eagles would take the 21-0 lead into the locker room.

After sitting out two series to end the second quarter, Whitson returned under center to open the third quarter and wasted no time finding the paint again, taking the first play from scrimmage 60 yards to the house himself for a 28-0 lead.

"We just executed," Whitson said. "We had a gameplan and we had to stick to it. It took us a little while to figure out what they were going to run as a defense, but we executed up front. They did a great job. We blocked and whenever plays were to be made, the receivers made plays."

After another Cavaliers three-and-out, Whitson put together a quick TD drive where he scored his third rushing touchdown and fifth touchdown overall with a one-yard keeper. Whitson's day was done after that. He led the team with nine carries for 133 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Whitson was 2 of 3 passing for 61 yards and two touchdowns. Whitson's three rushing touchdowns in a game were the first for a C-N offensive player since Antonio Wimbush in 2019. Derrick Evans was the last Carson-Newman player to score five touchdowns in a single game, achieving it against Lenoir-Rhyne in 2017.

"That's a pretty good day," Ingram said of Whitson. "I think he only played five series. He played great. He's got great energy. He's provided a spark for us. He makes plays and makes people around him better."

It was a productive day for the entire offense, with 19 different players either carrying or catching the ball in the win. Jayden Sullins has 12 rushes for 53 yards. Bradley had four carries for 33 yards and caught one pass for 32 yards and a score.

"The reality is that we've got a lot of guys that are capable of helping us," Ingram said. "We've got a lot of capable players. We're playing them in the first half so that means we believe in them. So, I'm excited for those guys. They need to keep playing more and more. …There's a lot of really good, young football players."

Wise's first score came with 13 seconds to go in the third quarter when Andon Rogers broke loose on a 62-yard touchdown run. It was the second 50-yard plus TD allowed by the C-N defense this season. The Cavs would end the scoring with a little more than five minutes to go in the game with a one-yard touchdown run from quarterback McCalan Beason.

The game marks the third time C-N has faced off against a team with a former player as a member of its coaching staff and its first victory in those matchups. Standout defensive lineman and camera operator for the Eagles Sports Network Max Bryant is now the defensive line coach for UVA-Wise.

Carson-Newman has defeated Wise six times in their matchup history and, in every victory, the Eagles have scored 35 or more points.

Carson-Newman will be back in Burke-Tarr Stadium next week for a game with SAC title and NCAA Division II playoff implications when they host Catawba (6-2, 4-2). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.  Coverage on the Eagles Sports Radio Network begins at noon with the AEC Countdown to kickoff on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville), Mix 105.5 (WSEV-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live. A video stream is available with a subscription to Flo Sports at cneagles.com/FloFB.

 

 

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