July 20, 2007

Salisbury, N.C. -- Nine Carson-Newman Eagles were named to the preseason All-South Atlantic Conference football teams at media day in Salisbury, North Carolina Friday morning.

Carson-Newman had two Eagles named to the first team, both on defense.

Senior linebacker Eric Rice (Thomasville, Ga.) was a first team selection, after leading the Eagles with 73 tackles and seven sacks in 2006. Joining him on the first team is junior free safety Denares Waites (Alma, Ga.). Waites posted 59 tackles and three interceptions last season.

Sophomore running back Buck Wakefield (Drummonds, Tenn.) was one of five Eagles named to the second team offense. Wakefield was also named preseason second team All-SAC at kick returner.

Joining Wakefield is junior quarterback Alex Rouse (Maryville, Tenn.), who enters the season 12-3 as a starter for the Eagles, as well as sophomore wide receiver Reggie Hubbard (Chattanooga, Tenn.). Hubbard finished '06 with 21 catches and five touchdowns. Sophomore offensive tackles Ross Shaffer (Hendersonville, N.C.) and Jeff Weaver (Marietta, Ga.) were also selected to the second team.

Senior defensive tackle Anthony Toribio (Miami, Fla.) and sophomore linebacker Brian Brown (Hartwell, Ga.) each made the defensive second team.

Toribio missed two games last season with a foot injury, but still finished with seven tackles for loss. Brown was second on the team in tackles, finishing with 72 at his middle linebacker spot. He was named Defensive Freshman of the Year in the SAC in '06.

Carson-Newman opens its 2007 season on August 23rd against Virginia State at Burke-Tarr Stadium in Jefferson City. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.