Sept. 27, 2007

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn.- For the better part of three decades, the roles have been reversed.

The 7th-ranked Carson-Newman Eagles will find themselves in an unfamliar position Saturday afternoon at Burke-Tarr Stadium when they take on the 9th-ranked Newberry Indians.

After so many years on top, C-N will be the one trying to dethrone the defending South Atlantic Conference champion.

The Indians enter Saturday's game as the defending conference champion and the SAC's lone playoff representative from 2006. Both are positions traditionally occupied by Head Coach Ken Sparks' Eagles. C-N has won 18 conference titles in Sparks 27 years.

"Its our first conference game," Sparks said. "It will be a great challenge and they'll be gunning for us.

Newberry's visit will mark the first time Carson-Newman has hosted a team ranked in the top ten since 2001, when the unranked-Eagles beat #3 Catawba 40-34 in overtime on homecoming. The win sparked C-N to a perfect (11-0) regular season in 2002.

"We know anyone can win on a given weekend," Sparks said. "We want to approach it as though we're playing ourselves, and we want to honor the Lord with our effort."

The game boasts two of the nation's top offenses. Newberry comes in with the nation's third-ranked rushing offense, trouncing opponents for 313 yards per game through four contests. The unit led by one of the nation's top offensive lines, a group that catches the eye of Eagle defensive coordinator Kevin Ramsey.

"We'll have to have success in the trenches to win," Ramsey said. "They're very balanced. We'll have to play with good leverage and defend both well."

While Carson-Newman has the nation's fifth-ranked rushing offense, the Eagles' passing game has been explosive. The Eagles are averaging 22 yards a catch on 28 completions, but have not compelted a pass longer than 51 yards. C-N's top three receivers have combined for only 19 receptions, but they make the most on their opportunities. The group is netting 25 yards per catch and has four touchdowns.

With playmakers on both sides of the ball covering the field, Sparks sees Saturday's premier D-II matchup coming down to the basics.

"Do three things and you'll win," Sparks said. "Block, tackle, and take care of the football. That's the formula."

We'll find out Saturday.

Kickoff is at 1 p.m. For tickets, call (865) 471-3396.

CSTV: Saturday's game will be webcast at CSTV.com by NCAA/CSTV Broadband. Full Address: www.cstv.com/ncaa/divii/

RADIO: The game will be broadcast on WRJZ-AM 620 (Joy 620) in Knoxville. Zeke Beam will provide the play-by-play, and Jeremy Ball the color commentary. Eagle Radio Network pregame coverage begins at 12:30 p.m.

The Ken Sparks Show: Join Carson-Newman Head Coach Ken Sparks and The Voice of the Eagles Zeke Beam on Sunday nights for the recap of the previous week's game on The Ken Sparks Show. The show airs at midnight, or immediately following Sunday Night Football and the news on WBIR-Channel 10 (NBC) in Knoxville. Replays can be seen on Tuesday nights at 9:30 p.m. on 10News2.