Sept. 24, 2007

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - After a night's rest in a familiar spot, the Carson-Newman Eagles return to work Monday afternoon.

The Eagles (4-0) completed their trek back from Saint George, Utah on Sunday afternoon, after a 35-13 win at Dixie State (UT) on Thursday night. The trip back to Jefferson City took nearly 24 hours and head coach Ken Sparks's team is still feeling the effects.

"It was a long, challenging trip," Sparks said. "The week ahead will be tough on us, but we have to refocus."

C-N's season-long rotation of home games and road games continues this week as the Eagles host defending South Atlantic Conference champion Newberry. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. at Burke-Tarr Stadium.

It will be the first time a top-ten Carson-Newman team has hosted a top-ten opponent since 1999, when the Eagles beat #5 Slippery Rock 47-21 in the D-II national semifinals in 1998.

The Eagles have been one of college football's most successful teams at home over the last fifteen years, including 29 straight wins at Burke-Tarr Stadium. . The Eagles are also 6-0 at home against top ten teams in the regular season since 1993, but the history doesn't make the challenge any easier.

"We're playing the best team we've faced this season." Sparks said. "Newberry is a very talented team and we'll have to play very well to win."

The key battle figures to be in the trenches.

Newberry enters the game with one of the nation's best rushing attacks, averaging 312 yards per game on the ground. The Eagles rushing defense has been equally impressive, having allowed only 60 total rushing yards this season. Carson-Newman also averages 284 yards rushing per game.

"That's football," Sparks said. "If you can run the football and take care of it, you can be successful."

The Eagles will have meetings and weights on Monday, before moving to a full-pad workout Tuesday.

For tickets, call (865) 471-3396.