JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman racked up 475 yards of total offense, including 383 on the ground, and used a bend-not-break defense to hold visiting UNC Pembroke to just 10 fourth-quarter points on the way to a 45-10 victory over the Braves in the regular season finale for both teams on Saturday at Burke-Tarr Stadium.
The setback shut the lid on the 2017 campaign for the Braves (2-8) who are set to return 16 starters for the 2018 season, including nine on offense. It was the sixth victory in the last seven outings for the Eagles (8-3) who are likely in line to earn a berth into the NCAA Division II Playoffs when selections are announced on Sunday.
E.J. Williams hauled in seven catches for 34 yards, while
Miles Grant carried the ball 10 times for 37 yards, to pace UNCP offense which recorded 92 of its 138 offensive yards in the second half.
Jalon Nixon caught a 17-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, while
Alex Alvarado connected on a career-long 47-yard field goal as time expired, to provide the scoring for the visitors.
Derrick Evans gave Carson-Newman a quick 7-0 lead with a 79-yard touchdown run on the game's first play from scrimmage, but the Eagles scored four more touchdowns in the opening half to take a 35-0 advantage into the intermission. The hosts led 38-0 after Elijah Holbert's 32-yard field goal midway through the third quarter, but the Braves got on the board in the fourth quarter thanks to
Auston Foley's 17-yard touchdown strike to Nixon.
Tyson Herron made it a 45-7 game on a 2-yard touchdown dive with 37 seconds left, but the Braves did not go away quietly. They drove 24 yards in four plays on the ensuing possession before settling for the big boot from Alvarado.
