Turnovers Cost Carson-Newman In NCAA Playoffs
Nov. 15, 2008
VALDOSTA, GA. – Carson-Newman head coach Ken Sparks called it one of the “most difficult seasons” he’s ever been apart of.
Now it’s over.
Defending national champion Valdosta State took advantage of four Carson-Newman fumbles to rally from a 14-point deficit and pull out a 24-20 victory in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium Saturday.
“It’s just hard to explain,” said Sparks, whose squad was ranked in the top five nationally to begin the year. “We’ve had a problem with execution all season long, and that was once again the case today. And it begins at the top with me.”
Carson-Newman (7-4) committed 14 turnovers in its four losses this season. The Eagles had three straight drives end with a fumble Saturday, including one with 39 seconds remaining in the first half. Carson-Newman was at the VSU 4-yard line and looking to take a 21-7 lead when Jermel Daniels jarred the ball loose from Ricky Harris.
“There is no question (that was a big play in the game),” said Sparks. “Instead of going up by 14 points heading into the half, we give (Valdosta State) all the momentum.”
It took Valdosta State (9-2) almost the entire third quarter, but they finally managed to use the momentum to pull in front.
After recovering a Reggie Hubbard fumble at the C-N 39-yard line, Tucker Pruitt completed a pass to Cedric Jones for 38 yards. Pruitt ran in the touchdown from one-yard out on the very next play and then converted a two-point try to put the Blazers up 15-14 with 2:39 left in the quarter.
“I felt like at that point in the game, (the game) could easily end 15-14,” Valdosta head coach David Dean said. “Both defenses were playing good at that point.”
Carson-Newman was able to answer just minutes later, after Valdosta State returner Roger King muffed a Chris Jones’ punt at the VSU 1-yard line and Carson-Newman’s Anthony McAllister was there to fall on it. Buck Wakefield dove in for the touchdown two-plays later, but Carson-Newman was unsuccessful on the two-point attempt, leaving the score at 20-15.
Ronnye Nelson answered the call for Valdosta State with a 35-yard touchdown on the ensuing drive to make it 21-20 with 13:08 remaining in the game. Devin Sabina added a 36-yard field goal eight minutes later to give the Blazers a four-point cushion.
Carson-Newman had one last scoring opportunity when Valdosta State punter Jack Fulford mishandled a long snap at the VSU 40-yard line and the Eagles took over on downs with 42 seconds remaining. However, three penalties put C-N in a third-and-30 situation and quarterback Alex Good was sacked on consecutive plays to end the game.
“You just can’t keep shooting yourself in the foot and expect to win a football game,” said Sparks. “We had too many turnovers and too many penalties today.”
The Eagles were penalized 11 times for 80 yards. Valdosta State had 400 yards of total offense to Carson-Newman’s 334. C-N had only 51 yards in the second half.
No one could stop the Eagles but themselves in the first half. They opened the game with a nine-play, 79-yard drive, capped by a 19-yard touchdown run by Wakefield. Wakefield found the end zone from one-yard out at the 3:54 mark of the second quarter.
Valdosta State cut the margin to 14-7 just 54 seconds later when T.J. Williams got loose on the other side of the Carson-Newman secondary for a 71-yard scoring strike from Chris Hart.
The Vikings’ two-quarterback system of Hart and Pruitt combined to complete 18-of-30 yards for 284 yards.
Good was 11-of-19 for 118 yards and also rushed for 92 yards. Wakefield finished with 67 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries.
