Eagles Roll in Opener, 77-14
Aug. 28, 2008
ATHENS, W.Va. - The fifth-ranked Carson-Newman Eagles opened the 2008 season in dominating fashion Thursday night as they traveled to Concord University and brought home a 77-14 victory over the Mountain Lions.
The Eagles racked up 722 yards of total offense - nine short of the school record - with the first team offense playing a total of just four plays in the contest. Concord finished with 218 yards - 109 on the ground and 109 through the air. Carson-Newman set the tone early with three touchdowns in the first 4:30 of the opening quarter. The Eagles led 35-7 at the end of the first quarter and 56-7 at halftime.
Buck Wakefield scored from 11-yards out on the Eagles' first offensive play of the game. After a three-and-out by Concord, C-N needed just two plays before Alex Good turned an option keeper upfield and took it 45 yards for the score. Good hooked up with tight end Mo Whitten for a 67-yard touchdown strike on the Eagles' next possession to give Carson-Newman three touchdowns in four offensive plays.
After a 52-yard scoring strike from back-up quarterback Joel Staham to Reggie Hubbard gave Carson-Newman a 28-0 lead with 8:26 left in the first quarter, Concord got on the board with a two-yard touchdown run by James Wilson. Ricky Harris added an 82-yard jaunt to the end zone late in the first quarter for the Eagles.
Carson-Newman needed just 38 seconds to dent the score board in the second quarter as Staham hit Justin Long for an 80-yard touchdown . After a Concord fumble, Staham rumbled in from 30-yards out to make the score 49-7 with 13:52 left in the second quarter. Wendy Desamour found the end zone from three-yards out with 2:23 left to make the half time score.
Concord opened the scoring in the second half, once again courtesy of a Wilson run.
Carson-Newman didn't attempt a pass in the second half, but found the end zone three more times via the ground attack. Fourth-string quarterback Doug Belk broke loose for an 84-yard sprint, while Melton and Desmour added touchdown runs of 12 and five yards, respectively.
Belk finished as the team's leading rusher with 104 on six carries. Ricky Harris recorded 103 yards on just four carries. Desamour and Nate Inman added 73 and 62 yards, respectively. The Eagles totaled 523 yards on 48 rushing attempts.
The Carson-Newman passing game was effective, as all three completions (3-of-6) went for touchdowns. Staham was 2-of-4 for 132 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Good's only pass attempt was the scoring pass to Whitten.
The Eagles will return to Jefferson City next Thursday for their 2008 home opener - an 8 p.m. showdown with third-ranked North Alabama at Burke-Tarr Stadium. Tickets are still available, by calling (865) 471-3396.
