A year ago, it was lonely on the banks of Mossy Creek when playoff time rolled around.
Carson-Newman College lost only one game in 2007. Nevertheless, by surrendering 651 yards total offense, including 486 passing in a 55-49 loss to Catawba, the Eagles were home alone in November.
Members of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) must not believe that will happen again in 2008.
Carson-Newman was selected No. 6 in the AFCA Preseason Poll, by earning 466 votes, including two first-place votes.
Carson-Newman College lost only one game in 2007. Nevertheless, by surrendering 651 yards total offense, including 486 passing in a 55-49 loss to Catawba, the Eagles were home alone in November.
Members of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) must not believe that will happen again in 2008.
Carson-Newman was selected No. 6 in the AFCA Preseason Poll, by earning 466 votes, including two first-place votes.
"On paper, we have a lot of key players returning," said Ken Sparks, who enters his 29th season as Eagle Head Coach. "I've never thought rankings mean too much. We have three very tough non-conference opponents to open the season, and I don't think they care too much about our ranking."
Sparks has nine All-SAC performers among the 21, including seven from the first team: quarterback Alex Good, wide receiver Reggie Hubbard, offensive tackle Ross Schaffer, defensive end Darius Wrentz, linebacker Brian Brown, free safety Denarus Waites and punter Chris Jones. Jones led the SAC with 41.4 yards per punt as a freshman last year.
The Eagles topped the SAC in seven categories, including scoring offense (48.8 ppg), rushing offense (308.3 yards) and total offense (491.8). Good passed for 1,333 yards and 13 touchdowns, with only two interceptions and ran for 625 yards and 10 TDs, while All-SAC second-team running back Buck Wakefield also scored 10 TDS while gaining 612 yards. Hubbard and Otis Miller caught 23 passes apiece for 609 and 540 yards, respectively, and five and three TDs.
Carson-Newman opens its season on Thursday, Aug. 28 at Concord University in Athens, W.Va. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Carson-Newman opens its season on Thursday, Aug. 28 at Concord University in Athens, W.Va. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches' Poll
August 12, 2008
August 12, 2008
Rank
1.Valdosta St. (Ga.) (17) 13-1
2. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) (6) 12-1
3. Northwest Missouri St. (1) 12-2
4. North Alabama 10-2
5. California (Pa.) 13-1
6. Carson-Newman (Tenn.) (2) 10-1
7. Nebraska-Omaha 10-1
8. Abilene Christian (Texas) 10-3
9. Chadron St. (Neb.) 12-1
10. West Texas A&M 12-1
11. Central Washington 10-3
12. Delta St. (Miss.) 10-2
13. Shepherd (W.Va.) 10-2
14. Tuskegee (Ala.) 12-0
15. Ashland (Ohio) 8-2
16. West Chester (Pa.) 9-3
17. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) 8-3
18. Texas A&M-Commerce 5-6
19. Catawba (N.C.) 11-2
20. Newberry (S.C.) 9-2
21. Indiana (Pa.) 9-3
22. Minnesota-Duluth 4-6
23. Mesa St. (Colo.) 10-2
24. Southern Connecticut St. 9-4
25T. Bloomsburg (Pa.) 7-3
25T. Virginia Union 9-3
1.Valdosta St. (Ga.) (17) 13-1
2. Grand Valley St. (Mich.) (6) 12-1
3. Northwest Missouri St. (1) 12-2
4. North Alabama 10-2
5. California (Pa.) 13-1
6. Carson-Newman (Tenn.) (2) 10-1
7. Nebraska-Omaha 10-1
8. Abilene Christian (Texas) 10-3
9. Chadron St. (Neb.) 12-1
10. West Texas A&M 12-1
11. Central Washington 10-3
12. Delta St. (Miss.) 10-2
13. Shepherd (W.Va.) 10-2
14. Tuskegee (Ala.) 12-0
15. Ashland (Ohio) 8-2
16. West Chester (Pa.) 9-3
17. Pittsburg St. (Kan.) 8-3
18. Texas A&M-Commerce 5-6
19. Catawba (N.C.) 11-2
20. Newberry (S.C.) 9-2
21. Indiana (Pa.) 9-3
22. Minnesota-Duluth 4-6
23. Mesa St. (Colo.) 10-2
24. Southern Connecticut St. 9-4
25T. Bloomsburg (Pa.) 7-3
25T. Virginia Union 9-3
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