November 16th, 2024 5:00pm
Wingate, N.C.----One of the nation's top defenses was up to the task when it mattered most, holding #19 Carson-Newman University to a season-low 84 yards of offense in a 28-13 victory in the 2024 South Atlantic Conference football championship game at Irwin Belk Stadium and Founders Field Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs win their seventh straight, moving to 9-1 on the season while claiming the third SAC title in program history and first since 2017. The Eagles fall to 9-2 on the year.
KEY STATS
- Wingate had 165 rushing yards and 91 passing yards for 256 yards of offense
- Carson-Newman had 54 rushing yards and 30 passing yards for 84 total yards
- The Eagles had just 10 yards of offense in the second half
- The Bulldogs held a 16-7 advantage in first downs
- The Eagles entered the game averaging 295 rushing yards and 386 total yards per contest
- C-N has only been held under 180 rushing yards twice this year, both times against Wingate
- The 'Dogs held the Eagles to just 99 rushing yards in two games on 79 total attempts
- The 84 total yards for C-N are a season low by over 150 yards, with the second-lowest also coming against Wingate
- The Bulldogs were four-for-16 on third down; the Eagles went three-for-11
- The 'Dogs scored in all four red zone trips; C-N scored on its lone trip to the red zone
- Wingate held the ball for nearly 34 minutes on the day
- C-N threw two interceptions and lost a fumble; Wingate had just one turnover
KEY BULLDOGS
- Caleb Bonesteel was named the MVP, making all five field goals and both PATs
- He hit from 43, 48, 48, 36 and 36 yards on the day
- Corey Siemer had 13 carries for 86 yards and a touchdown
- Brooks Bentley threw for 91 yards on the day
- O'Brien Barnett had 13 carries for 70 yards
- Evan McCray had five receptions for 49 yards
- Noah Bell added a touchdown run
- Joseph Reddish had a pair of interceptions
- Kai Russell had 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble
- Daniel Morrison added seven tackles, 1.5 TFLs and a sack
- Dontorian Best also had seven tackles, with Diego Aviles adding 6 tackles
- Marquise Fleming notched six tackles, two TFLs, a forced fumble and a QB hurry
- Mark Burks and Jonathen Cross each added 0.5 tackles for loss
- Rivers Teeter averaged 47.7 yards per punt on three punts