Oct. 9, 2007

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - The Carson-Newman Eagles football team debuted at fourth in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Poll released Tuesday.

The poll determines the participants in the NCAA Playoffs which begin on November 17th. The top six teams receive a bid with the top two receiving a bye in the first round.

Carson-Newman (6-0, 2-0 SAC) will host Catawba on Saturday at Burke-Tarr Stadium. Kickoff for C-N's homecoming game is at 3 p.m. The Indians (6-0, 2-0 SAC) enter the first regional poll ranked fifth, but the rankings are not on the mind of Carson-Newman head Coach Ken Sparks.

"We can't control what happens in the polls," Sparks said. "Our job is to focus on Catawba. We'll worry about the polls in November, but there is too much football to be played before then."

The Eagles remained at 7th in the American Football Coaches Association Poll, also released Tuesday. Catawba moved up to 12th in this week's AFCA poll. The Indians beat Newberry 28-18 in Salisbury, North Carolina on Saturday.

The Eagles will go through full-pad workouts on Tuesday and Wednesday, before moving to shorts and helmets for the week's final two practices.

For tickets to Saturday's game, call (865) 471-3396.