Aug. 30, 2007

Stats

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn.-- The Carson-Newman Eagles shocked Division I-AA in-state rival UT-Chattanooga with a 29-17 victory over the Mocs in UTC's season opener at Finley Stadium.

The 13th-ranked Eagles (2-0) found themselves in a similar deficit against the Mocs as they did a week ago versus Virginia State. After a scoreless first quarter, the Mocs scored on the first play of the second quarter when Antonio Miller scored on a 10-yard run. Miller scored on a two-yard run just three minutes later to put UTC ahead 14-0. Alex Good then led the Eagle offense on an 11-play, 63-yard drive that ended with a 25-yard Aubrey Ingham field goal to put C-N within striking distance at 14-3 at halftime.

"At halftime, our kids really thought they'd win," head coach Ken Sparks said. "There were many momentum shifts in the game and I'm glad the river flowed our way."

The floodgates opened for the Eagles in the second half. Eric Rice intercepted an Antonio Miller pass and returned it to the UTC seven-yard line. Ingham added another field goal, this time a 23-yarder, to pull the Eagles to within eight points at 14-6. The Mocs drove to their own 41-yard line on 4th and 1, but Nick McFadden stopped Erroll Wynn for no gain to give the Eagles the ball with 9:06 remaining in the third quarter. Good then connected with Otis Miller on a 40-yard pass play to put the Eagles at the one-yard line. Two plays later, Buck Wakefield scored from six yards out to cut the UTC lead to 14-12.

Rice, who led the Eagles with 7.5 tackles, got his first sack of the evening when he dropped UTC quarterback Cody Romans for a seven-yard loss to give the Eagles the ball at their own 47 with 6:32 left in the third quarter. Good directed an 11-play, 49 yard drive where Ingham connected on his third field goal of the night, a 21-yarder, to give C-N the lead for good at 15-14.

In the fourth quarter, James Banks fielded a Jonathan Wright punt at the C-N 31-yard line and returned it 41 yards into UTC territory at the 28. Good found tight end Mo Whitten on a nine-yard TD reception to cap a five-play, 28-yard drive for a 22-14 Eagle advantage.

Craig Camay connected on a 46-yard field goal to keep the Mocs in contention by cutting C-N's lead to 22-17, but the Eagles would not be denied. With 6:26 remaining, Good directed the Eagles' final scoring drive of seven plays and 65 yards. Good scored on an 8-yard TD run over left guard to ice the victory for the Eagles. The Eagles not only notched their first win against UTC in team history, but the first points against UTC. The Eagles were shut out 196-0 in three prior meetings in the 1920s.

"It's a sweet victory from that perspective," Sparks said. "Our kids showed a lot of heart tonight. We played against a very well-coached team. Both Alexes made good decisions. They really complement each other."

The Eagles will take a week off before returning to the gridiron to take on St. Augustine's on September 15 at Burke-Tarr Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.