#14 CARSON-NEWMAN EAGLES

LAST SEASON, THE EAGLES of Carson-Newman College had three tough road losses to South Athletic Conference foes but finished the 8-3 season strong with routes over SAC runner-up, Wingate, and then on the road at Tusculum. This season features a veteran squad that is sure to be well-coached by Ken Sparks (251-59-2, .808). Coach Sparks, in his 27th year of coaching, was recently named President of the American Football Coaches Association for 2007. The Eagles open the season with an array of non-conference and non-division games including Virginia State (WVIAC), relative DII newcomer Dixie State and FCS (formerly I-AA) Tennessee-Chattanooga. The SAC schedule will feature key match-ups with Catawba for Homecoming and traveling to face Wingate for their Homecoming. CNC has not gone three consecutive seasons without a conference title or playoff appearance in 25 years (1982). The Eagles were four-time champions in the NAIA and after joining Division II in 1993 appeared in the D2 title game three times between 1996-1999.