1989 Carson–Newman Eagles football team

1989 Carson–Newman Eagles football
NAIA Division I national champion
SAC champion
ConferenceSouth Atlantic Conference
Record12–1 (6–1 SAC)
Head coach
Home stadiumBurke–Tarr Stadium
Seasons
← 1988
1990 →
1989 South Atlantic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
No. 4 Carson–Newman $^ 6 – 1 – 0 12 – 1 – 0
No. 16 Gardner–Webb 4 – 3 – 0 7 – 4 – 0
Mars Hill 4 – 3 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
Lenoir–Rhyne 4 – 3 – 0 5 – 6 – 0
Catawba 4 – 3 – 0 4 – 7 – 0
Presbyterian 3 – 4 – 0 4 – 7 – 0
Wingate 2 – 5 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
Elon 1 – 6 – 0 1 – 9 – 0
  • $ – Conference champion
  • ^ – NAIA Division I playoff participant
Rankings from NAIA Division I poll

The 1989 Carson–Newman Eagles football team was an American football team that represented Carson–Newman College (renamed Carson–Newman University in 2012) as a member of the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) during the 1989 NAIA Division I football season. In its tenth year under head coach Ken Sparks, the team compiled a 12–1 record (6–1 against conference opponents) and won the SAC championship.[1]

The Eagles advanced to the NAIA playoffs, defeating West Virginia Tech in the quarterfinals and Central State (OH) in the semifinals.[2][3] They faced Emporia State in the Champion Bowl, winning by a 34–20 score to win the NAIA national championship.[4] It was the fifth of five national championships won by Carson–Newman in seven years (1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, and 1989).[4]

After the season, Sparks was chosen as the SAC Coach of the Year, the fourth time he won the award. In addition, Carson–Newman strong safety Joe Fishback was named SAC Defensive Player of the Year, and free safety Chuck Proffitt was named SAC Freshman of the Year. Seven Carson–Newman players received first-team honors on the All-SAC team: running back Vernon Turner; offensive linemen Kelly Rasnic and Paige Belcher; place-kicker Rick Wetsel; defensive lineman John Mefford; and defensive backs Joe Fishback and David Pool.[5]

Schedule[edit]

DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 2at Fairmont State*Fairmont, WVW 44–0[6]
September 9Hillsdale*
W 40–164,167[7]
September 16at WingateWingate, NCW 28–3[8]
September 23Elon
  • Burke–Tarr Stadium
  • Jefferson City, TN
W 17–04,003[9]
September 30Catawba
  • Burke–Tarr Stadium
  • Jefferson City, TN
W 24–103,343[10]
October 7Newberry*
  • Burke–Tarr Stadium
  • Jefferson City, TN
W 45–244,259[11]
October 14 Mars Hill
  • Burke–Tarr Stadium
  • Jefferson City, TN
L 14–17[12]
October 21at Gardner–WebbBoiling Springs, NCW 23–20 OT[13]
October 28Lenoir–Rhyne
  • Burke–Tarr Stadium
  • Jefferson City, TN
W 38–04,739[14]
November 11at PresbyterianClinton, SCW 43–213,200[15]
December 2at West Virginia Tech*Charleston, WV (NAIA Division I quarterfinal)W 51–13[2]
December 9Central State (OH)*
  • Burke–Tarr Stadium
  • Jefferson City, TN (NAIA Division I semifinal)
W 20–173,254[3]
December 16Emporia State*
W 34–204,483[4]
  • *Non-conference game

References[edit]

  1. ^ "2010 Carson-Newman Eagles Football Media Guide" (PDF). Carson-Newman College. 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Carson-Newman rips West Virginia Tech". The Tennessean. December 3, 1989. p. 11C – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b Bill Lane (December 10, 1989). "Eagles advance with 20-17 win". Kingsport Times-News. pp. 1D, 3D – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c Chuck Cavalaris (December 17, 1989). "'89 another banner year for C-N". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. pp. C1, C5 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Carson-Newman reaps SAC awards". The Greenville News. November 21, 1989. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Carson-Newman drubs Fairmont State, 44-0". The Greenville News. September 3, 1989. p. 2C – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Rick Sheek (September 10, 1989). "Carson-Newman runs past Hillsdale, 40-16". Johnson City Press. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Carson-Newman, 28-3". Johnson City Press. September 17, 1989. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Carson-Newman 17, Elon 0". The Times and Democrat. September 24, 1989. p. 4B – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Greg Peters (October 1, 1989). "Eagles stump Catawba, 24-10, for win No. 13". Kingsport Times-News. p. 3D – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Eagles blast Newberry, 45-24". Kingsport Times-News. October 8, 1989. p. 3D – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Rick Sheek (October 15, 1989). "Miscues kill C-N in loss". Johnson City Press. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Carson-Newman outlasts GW". The Greenville News. October 22, 1989. p. 4C – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ Jimmy Moore (October 29, 1989). "Eagles defense picks up six turnovers in 38-0 win". Kingsport Times-News. p. 4D – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Hap Bryant (November 12, 1989). "Carson-Newman clinches SAC with 45-21 win over Presbyterian". The Greenville News. p. 2C – via Newspapers.com.
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