Week 1 Storylines


Eagles Fly High: Carson-Newman got the SAC season off and running Thursday night in a big way, hammering Wayne St in impressive fashion. Everyone was focused on the quarterback and center position, for good reason, but it was the defense to me that was the story. Last season, the offense posted 56 in the opener but gave up 46 then lost 2 of their next three, giving up 103 points in those games. While the offense was spectacular, I think the defensive effort gives just as much positive energy to Eagle fans.
Bears Lay Low:
Wolves Run To W: In what was the most exciting game of week one, Newberry started off their season at 1-0 for the second straight year at the hands of Elizabeth City. Newberry rushed for 256 in the win with five different players rushing for a score. And they needed it after a 2 INT game from WT Murden. The Wolves rushed for 240 last year against the Vikings with Murden going 5-12 so more than likely just a matchup problem. Regardless, the Wolves are 1-0 heading home to play Florida Tech.
BC vs PC: How about the Tornados? I understand where Presbyterian is as a program but give Brevard a ton of credit. They led 7-0, 14-7 and were down 28-21 at half before the Blue Hose ran away late. Tanner Wright threw the ball well and Kelvin Jeter is back for the Tornados who could make some noise this year. They must create turnovers on defense to keep themselves in games.



Week 1 Helmet Stickers
Offense
(8-10, 213 yds, 3 TD, 8 car, 32 yds) = The lefty was extremely efficient through the air on Thursday and let his running backs take care of the ground game. Will be interesting to see him adjust if teams try to protect against the pass. Haywood averaged 18 carries per game last season but CN has expressed their desire to air it out more. Stay tuned.
(5-8, 122 yds, 2 TD, 10 car, 24 yds) = Gotta be impressed by the way Wright led the Tornado offense despite the loss. I know they will expect him to run the ball better but that comes with time. With Wright just in his first year as starter, you expect that to happen.
Newberry Offensive Line

Defense
= Pittard turned in quite a stat line in his first game with the Lions despite the loss to UWG. He racked up a game-high 14 tackles, tackle for loss and a pick six from 51 yards out to give Mars Hill the halftime lead.
= Robinson registered 5 solo tackles and 7 total stops to lead the Newberry defense. He added a week one high three tackles for loss and a pass break up. Wolves gave up six pass plays of 20 yards or more and 374 in the air, so a lot to work on in pass defense but defended the run well.
Tanner Botts, LB

Special Teams
10 Pack of Stats

11-11: The combined record of SAC teams during week 1 over the past three seasons.

6:
3:
18: Number of fumbles for LR against Concord in the past four meetings.

1-3: Record for LR against Concord in those games.

357:
0: The number of sacks for Catawba vs. West Liberty after 11 last year against WLU.

23:
605: Rushing TD's for Newberry, their most in a game since West Georgia in September 2007.


Pick 'em Standings

1st (6-1)
Doc-Eagle, cneagle99, bleedcatblue, OLD CAT BLUE

T-5th (5-2)
Bulldogfan#1 , Cat U Fan, Rankin Hall, Legal Eagle, Lion 55 , ironcheftvdinner ,North Ala Screwdriver

T-12th (4-3)
SAC man, WU Fan, Kit-Carson, Tarheel42, TomJ, wudawgfan, canadarican, Eagle74, NewOPSUDad, jayhawkdaddy

T-22nd (3-4)T-23rd (2-5)
Squiddog