Oct. 19, 2007

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Its time to regain the fire.

The 15th-ranked Carson-Newman Eagles will try to return to their winning ways as C-N heads to Hickory, North Carolina on Saturday for a 7 p.m. kickoff with the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears.

It will be the Eagles (6-1, 2-1 SAC) first action since a frustrating 55-49 loss to Catawba last Saturday, but Ken Sparks expects his Eagles to move forward.

"We've got to be what we claim to be," Sparks said. "Our task is to regain focus on our hearts, heads, and hands. We've got to keep the faith."

Carson-Newman's biggest challenge may be gathering itself from disappointing second half against the Indians. The Eagles built a 35-13 second quarter lead, before dropping their first SAC game of the season. Being on the road makes things much more difficult in Sparks' mind.

"We've got to be back on the attack," Sparks said. "We've been there for most of the season, but if we don't come out with fight Saturday, we'll be in trouble."

C-N travels to Hickory for the first time since 2004. The Eagles won the last meeting at L-R 47-27.

The Bears are trying to end one of the SAC's most impressive streaks. C-N has beaten L-R 28 straight times, dating back to 1978. L-R (2-5, 0-2 SAC) is trying to post its first conference win.

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 1 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.