Sept. 12, 2007

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - It had to happen eventually.

After six weeks of grueling practices in temperatures that consistently pushed the 100-degree mark, the 9th-ranked Carson-Newman Eagles enjoyed two days of practice in the rain as they returned to game week preparations Monday and Tuesday.

Carson-Newman (2-0) returns home Saturday afternoon to host Saint Augustine's at Burke-Tarr Stadium. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.

Monday's workout was C-N's first since the Eagles took the weekend off for their bye week. Carson-Newman head coach Ken Sparks expects his team to be ready Saturday.

"Saturday will be 17 days (since C-N's last game)," Sparks said. "I think we're beginning to get that feeling back you get at the end of fall camp. You're just ready to hit someone in another uniform."

Saturday's game will be C-N's first since its 29-17 win over Chattanooga on August 30th. Sparks has been around long enough to know his team better be looking to its meeting with the Falcons.

"Our focus will be on Saturday's game," Sparks said. "You have to be focused on what you're trying to accomplish, and our last win was just a step along the way, now its time to take the next one."

Saint Augustine's enters Saturday's game a two-game losing streak. The Falcons opened the season with a pair of low-scoring losses to Mars Hill and North Carolina-Central (FCS). To Sparks, Saint Augustine's 0-2 is extremely misleading.

"Defensively, they're as solid as anyone we'll play," Sparks said. "A couple of offensive breaks and they could easily be 2-0. They run well on defense and don't miss many assignments."

The Eagles will workout Wednesday afternoon in full pads, before going through a light practice Thursday and a walk-thru Friday.

The Eagles and Falcons will wrap up a home-and-home series Saturday. C-N won the 2006 meeting 24-14 in Raleigh.

For tickets, call (865) 471-3396.