Better Know the Opponent, Week 3: Catawba
August 1, 2015

Better Know the Opponent, Week 3: Catawba

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - This is the third in an 11-part series breaking down each of Carson-Newman football's opponents for the 2015 season. This feature breaks down the Eagles' conference opener on Sept. 19 – a date with the Catawba College Catawba Indians.

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - This is the third in an 11-part series breaking down each of Carson-Newman football's opponents for the 2015 season.  This feature breaks down the Eagles' conference opener on Sept. 19 – a date with the Catawba College Catawba Indians.

Catawba strongly challenged C-N in 2014 to the tune of a 35-33 victory for  the Eagles.  Carson-Newman was fortunate to escape Shuford Stadium with a victory thanks to a missed Chad Hollandsworth 35-yard field goal before the half let out and a Carlos Tarrats fumble at the one yard line that went out of the end zone for a touchback for C-N.

The Indians will once again be a challenge for the Eagles as they  search for back-to-back victories at Burke-Tarr Stadium for the first time ever in the Ken Sparks era. 

Catawba could be up to the task, the Indians return the league's returning passer in Mike Sheehan.  Sheehan completed 61.4 percent of his throws last year for 2,273 yards and 17 touchdowns.  The only downside for him was throwing 15 picks.  Sheehan was particularly effective against the Eagles last year.  He was the only opposing quarterback to complete 30 of his passes last year against Carson-Newman.  Sheehan was 30-for-45 for 387 yards and two scores.

Sheehan returns plenty of weapons to throw to as well.  Chief among them is Carlos Tarrats.  Tarrats snagged six balls for 147 yards and a touchdown last year against the Eagles.  He is the Indians leading returning receiver ahead of Gary Williams and Keyon West.  Williams had 443 yards and five scores last year while West touted 382 yards and a single touchdown.  Tarrats found the end zone a league-best seven times last year. 

The Indians also bring back plenty of experience at running back. Both heads of  two-headed monster the Indians utilize in the backfield are back.  David Burgess rushed for  577 yards last year and five touchdowns while Cary Littlejohn was 13 yards behind him with 564 yards on  the ground and four scores. 

In addition, Catawba returns four of five starters along the offensive line.

Defensively, the Indians lose a bit more.  Three members of the defensive line leave the program as do an all-conference linebacker and a free safety.

The Indians top returner defensively comes in the secondary in Mark McDaniel. The 5-11, 185-pound senior registered 43 strops last year and a SAC best five interceptions last year. 

He, as well as  returning linebackers Jamal  Lackey and Michael Peppers will be crucial in replacing graduated linebacker Jason Taylor and his team-high 106 tackles. 

Lackey made 63 stops last year including nine behind the line of scrimmage while Peppers made 61 tackles.  

Carson-Newman's Better Know The Opponent series returns Tuesday with a preview of week four opponent Mars Hill.