Baker nabs first career AstroTurf SAC Player of the Week honor
ROCK HILL, S.C. – Carson-Newman running back Damian Baker (Columbus, Miss.) snagged the first South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week honor of his career, the league office announced Monday morning.
VIDEO: Damian Baker Interview
ROCK HILL, S.C. – Carson-Newman running back Damian Baker (Columbus, Miss.) snagged the first South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week honor of his career, the league office announced Monday morning.
Baker cemented himself in the Carson-Newman record books with his performance Saturday in the Eagles' 62-38 win over Mars Hill. Baker rushed for 249 yards and four scores, both career highs for Baker.
"Coach said we needed to execute this week," Baker said. "We just wanted to prove this week that we could be explosive again as an offense. I'm more pleased with the win overall for our team (than I am for this award). I just want the team to win. I'm not focused on myself or my personal goals, I want to accomplish goals with my team."
The 249 yards amounted to the seventh highest single game rushing tally in Carson-Newman football history and the four touchdown-day is the eighth time a C-N back has done that since 2004.
Baker reeled of rushing touchdowns of 64, 52, 42 and two yards. It's the first four touchdown day for an Eagle since Andy Hibbett went for four scores against Wayne State last year,
"We had a good time on the sidelines that game," Baker said. "Coach Turner had a good time. When you're having fun like that as a team, it's a very good feeling."
Baker credited his fellow running backs Montavious Taylor (Atlanta, Ga.) and Antonio Wimbush (Kingsland, Ga.) for helping to set him up for success.
"My touchdowns were because of Montavious blocking on the edge," Baker said. "I'm grateful to have Montavious and Antonio beside me. I'm thankful to lead them and have them encourage me all at the same time."
Baker ranks second in the nation in scoring and rushing touchdowns. He's averaging 15 points per game and has 10 scores. He is sixth in the nation in rushing yards with 646.
Baker and the Eagles will be on display Saturday when they travel to Hickory, N.C. to face the 22nd-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne Bears. Coverage for that game begins at 1 p.m. with the Appalachian Electric Cooperative Tailgate Show on the Eagle Sports Network on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville), Mountain Country 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.
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