Nov. 9, 2007

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - You couldn't script a regular-season finale to be more intriguing.

The 11th-ranked Carson-Newman Eagles (9-1, 4-1 SAC) wrap up their regular season on Saturday when they play host to rival-Tusculum at Burke-Tarr Stadium.

Saturday's matchup will have the most at stake since the Eagles and Pioneers played for a share of the South Atlantic Conference title in 2003. However, that meeting, Tusculum's last win in the series, was a midseason affair.

The winner on Saturday will clinch at least a share of the South Atlantic Conference title. With a Catawba loss to Lenoir-Rhyne, the winner would be the outright South Atlantic Conference champion. For Carson-Newman, a win might also mean a playoff berth, but the Pioneers remain the focus.

"Saturday is where we're focused," Carson-Newman Head Coach Ken Sparks said. "If we don't play our best for 60 minutes, there is no tomorrow."

Because of the change in rotation the SAC schedule in 2005, Tusculum (6-4, 4-1 SAC) will be the last conference team to visit the "new" Burke-Tarr Stadium. The Eagles have completed their last two regular seasons in Greeneville, winning at Pioneer Field for the first time in 2005, 38-0.

The Eagles backed up that impressive effort with a 23-3 win last season. Carson-Newman has won the last three meetings with the Pioneers, dating back to a 42-3 win in 2004, but Ken Sparks sees a different Tusculum team in 2007.

"We're facing a very good football team," Sparks said. "They do everything well, and they're a mature team. They won't beat themselves."

Carson-Newman is compiling gaudy statistics of offense, which could become a compelling argument for a playoff berth.

The Eagles lead the nation in scoring offense (47.4 points per game), rushing offense (311 yards per game), and pass efficiency offense (186.2 rating). The scoring might be the most impressive of the stats, considering the Eagles fourth quarter performance. C-N has outscored opponents 405-144 in the first three quarters, but opponents have player the Eagles evenly in the fourth (69-69).

"We've been fortunate to have some fast starts and play a lot of people," Sparks said. "That doesn't matter to (Tusculum). They have a big edge on us. They beat Catawba, we didn't. We have to get the job done Saturday."

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.