Playoff implications persists as Eagles travel to Pembroke, N.C. for battle with Braves
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – When Carson-Newman (4-2, 2-2 SAC) travels to Pembroke, N.C., to face the UNC Pembroke Braves (5-2) it will face a squad that has bested it in the past two meetings. Last year, the Braves won 42-14 on Carson-Newman’s homecoming. Carson-Newman comes off winners of its last two contests, while UNCP stays at home following a 42-20 loss to the University of Charleston (W.Va.).
Last year, the Braves won 42-14 on Carson-Newman's homecoming. Carson-Newman comes off winners of its last two contests, while UNCP stays at home following a 42-20 loss to the University of Charleston (W.Va.).
"We are looking to keep improving, that's always been our them every week," Carson-Newman head football coach Ken Sparks said. "And I think that we've done that the past couple weeks.
"We know that we've got a very daunting task this week because of the long trip with not a very good place to play – meaning they've got their student body behind your bench with lots of possible distractions."
Potentially equally daunting as the environment at UNCP's Grace Johnson Stadium are a cadre of solid Brave receivers.
UNCP is led by Te'Vell Williams 37 catches, 482 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. Luke Charles has been more than capable at quarterback, completing 60 percent of his passes for 1,263 yards and 10 touchdowns.
"They run and throw it very effectively," Sparks said. "It's an interesting passing game because they've got a lot of stick and option patterns that are five to seven yards, then they'll turn around and go four vertical on you and try to beat you deep. It'd be nice if they'd holler over and tell you what they were going to do."
The Braves passing game will test an Eagle secondary that has picked off a pair of passes this season. However, Carson-Newman's pass rush has improved over the last two games.
Through the first four weeks of the season, the Eagles picked up two sacks, in the last two games, the Eagles have taken down the quarterback seven times. Kingsport, Tenn.-native Zack Fleming leads the Eagles with two quarterback take downs in 2012.
"Our kids haven't been playing up and down and have been playing a little bit more on an even keel," Sparks said. "It's kind of like life. We've been a pretty good four quarter ball club the last few ball games and that's a little more encouraging to an old coach."
Carson-Newman's offense will have to continue to take care of the football as it has through the first six games of the season. The Eagles are in the top five nationally in giveaways with five. However, that offense will have to protect the football against a UNCP club that has forced 20 turnovers – including nine in a 49-35 victory over Wingate.
"Any time a team has a 2:1 turnover ratio, that's not bad," Sparks said. "Those may decide more than anything else who wins the ball game. It's interesting to see how turnover ratio really decides games."
The Eagles and Braves kick it off at 2 p.m. Coverage begins at 1 p.m. on the Coca-Cola Eagle Sports Network with the Farm Bureau Tailgate Show. Eagle fans can listen locally on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville) and 106.3 ESPN Radio The Zone (WPFT-FM Sevierville) as well as world wide through cneagles.com
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