Football Loses at Carson-Newman

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Lions lost on the road at Carson-Newman 52-27 in South Atlantic Conference football action Saturday afternoon at Burke-Tarr Stadium. Mars Hill fell to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference. The Eagle improved to 2-2 on the season, 1-1 in the SAC.

Jamel Harbison rushed for 113 yards on 15 carries and two scores averaging 7.5 yards per carry. It was the third consecutive time he has rushed for more than 100 yards this season. After rushing for just 27 yards at Samford, Harbison is now averaging 114.0 yards per game. Keshaun Taylor caught 10 passes for 162 yards while David Salmon completed 16-31 passes for 221 yards. Michael Warren led the Lions' defense with 13 tackles (6 solo) and a fumble recovery. DaJon Montague followed with 10 tackles (7 solo). As a team, Mars Hill recorded 426 yards of total offense, 185 yards rushing and 241 yards passing. Unfortunately, the Lions threw four interceptions in the loss, all of which led to Carson-Newman touchdowns.

Montavious Taylor ran for 134 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns to lead the Eagles on the ground. Noah Suber threw for 247 yards completing 12-23 passes. He rushed for 26 yards. Lonnie Williams caught four passes for 100 yards. Sha'Heem Stupert led the Carson-Newman defense with eight tackles (5 solo). Jason Williams followed with five tackles (4 solo) and an interception. The Eagles accumulated 672 total yards. They rushed for 428 yards and threw for 244 yards.

Harbison gave the Lions a 6-0 lead with 12:36 left in the first quarter on a 41-yard touchdown rush. The extra-point kick attempt was blocked. Antonio Wimbush gave the Eagles the lead for good with 9:52 left in the first frame when he ran in from eight yards out.

Jerry Miclisse returned an interception 26 yards for a score that gave the Eagles a 14-6 advantage with 5:38 left in the opening period. A 43-yard scamper by Taylor with 2:20 left in the first quarter extended the Eagles lead to 21-6. Salmon found the endzone on a 30-yard rush to end the scoring in the first quarter (1:18) and bring the Lions within eight points (21-13) of the Eagles.

After a 25-yard field goal by Carson Wise with 4:23 left in the second quarter, Harbison trimmed the deficit to 24-21 with 1:53 left in the half when he scored on a 13-yard rush. The Lions' two-point conversion after Harbison's score was successful. The Eagles then drove 72 yards on nine plays capped off by a one-yard touchdown dive by Taylor to send the Eagles into the locker room at halftime holding a 31-21 lead.

The third quarter belonged to the Eagles. They scored 21 unanswered points to seal the win. Suber scored on a nine-yard run at the 9:52 mark before Wimbush added a six-yard scoring rush with 7:23 left in the third stanza. Marcus Williams ended the scoring for the Eagles with 3:55 left in the third quarter when he broke loose for a 29-yard scoring run. Malik Prescott dove in from a yard out with 7:17 left in regulation to make the final tally 52-27 in favor of the hosts.

Mars Hill will play at North Greenville on Saturday, October 1. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.