Nov. 1, 2007

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. -- The 12th-ranked Carson-Newman Eagles take to the road for the final time in the 2007 regular season on Saturday to visit the Wingate Bulldogs.

Carson-Newman (8-1, 3-1 SAC) enters the game having won the last 11 meetings with the Bulldogs. Eagle Head Coach Ken Sparks has not been impressed by his team the last few weeks, noting his team is still making too many mistakes.

"We've got to change our mindset," Sparks said. ""We're not going to keep getting by making some of the mistakes we've made. We've got to step it up."

Wingate (6-3, 1-3 SAC) enters the game having lost three-of-four in conference play. However, to some, they could easily be a 3-1 SAC team.

"They could have beaten Tusculum and Newberry, maybe should have" Sparks said. "They're a good team and won't beat themselves. They're a compete team, from the quarterback to the kicking game." Carson-Newman will continue to rely on its' run-heavy option offense. The Eagles are beginning to dominate statistically, especially on offense.

The Eagles rank first-nationally in scoring offense at 46.2 points per game, while ranking second in rushing offense at 310 yards per game. The Eagles also rank second-nationally in passing efficiency with a 184.29 rating, behind only top-ranked Grand Valley State.

"It will be interesting if those stats hold," Sparks said. "We play two very good football teams the next two weeks. We've got our hands full."

OTHER STATS: - The Eagles also rank in the top ten in Team Sacks (5th, 3.7/gm.), Net Punting (5th, 37/ypp), and Total Offense (478 ypg.). The Eagles are 19th in total defense and 14th in rushing defense.

WEBCAST: The Eagles and Bulldogs will be webcast by the NCAA and CSTV. The game can be seen live by going to http://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 1:00 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.