Wingate, N.C.----Carson-Newman University sophomore quarterback De'Andre Thomas (Milledgeville, Ga.) rushed for three touchdowns and threw for two scores, helping the number 21 Eagles defeat Wingate University 52-35 in South Atlantic Conference action Saturday afternoon at Irwin Belk Stadium and John R. Martin Field. The Eagles (648) and the host Bulldogs (427) combined for 1075 total yards (NCAA final statistics report).
 
The Eagles (9-2 overall, 5-2 SAC) snap a three-game losing streak to the Bulldogs. Carson-Newman's last victory over Wingate was Oct. 31, 2009. The Eagles will wait for a possible NCAA play-off bid Sunday. Wingate completes the 2013 campaign 4-6 overall and 3-4 in the SAC.
 
Thomas rushed 19 times for 123 yards and three touchdowns. He completed 13-of-16 passes for 172 yards and two scores. Three Eagles rushed for 100 yards. Senior running back Brandon Baker (Miami, Fla.) led the way, rushing 19 times for 150 yards. Classmate and backfield mate Tyron Douglas (Clover, S.C.) carried the ball 14 times for 112 yards and one TD.
 
For Wingate, redshirt senior quarterback Robbie Nallenweg (Asheville, N.C.) completed 32-of-48 passes for 434 yards and four touchdowns. Freshman wide receiver Jordan Berry (Irmo, S.C.) caught nine passes for 168 yards and two scores. Berry's 53-yard catch-and-run reception from Nallenweg cut Wingate's deficit to 38-35 with 6:13 remaining in the contest.
 
On the next play from scrimmage, Thomas found senior wide receiver Luther Walker (Pasadena, Calif.) on a 47-yard fade route play. Walker scored Carson-Newman's final receiving touchdown and senior placekicker Curt Duncan (Morristown, Tenn.) added the extra point to make the score 45-35 Eagles with 5:55 to play.
 
After Wingate turned the ball over on downs, Douglas scored Carson-Newman's final touchdown two plays later. The 17-yard jaunt and Duncan's seventh extra point settled the final score.
 
Carson-Newman bolted to a 21-0 lead in the early going. The Eagles won the coin toss and marched 87 yards on nine plays. C-N junior running back Andy Hibbert (Corryton, Tenn.) ran 54 yards to pay dirt to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.
 
The Bulldogs went three and out and Thomas concluded an 11-play, 70-yard drive with a 16-yard scoring scamper at the 6:40 mark. He scored on a three-yard run midway through the second quarter to give the Eagles a 21-0 advantage.
 
Nallenweg's first scoring strike was a 12-yard connection with redshirt junior tight end Brandon Ellington (Wilmington, N.C.) with 80 seconds remaining in the second stanza. Bulldog redshirt junior place kicker Patrick Smith (Hickory, N.C.) connected on the PAT to make the score 21-7 Carson-Newman at intermission.
 
Wingate needed only three plays to score the first touchdown of the second half. Berry did the honors, as he scored on a 37-yard pass from Nallenweg. Thomas had a hand in scoring plays on Carson-Newman's next two possessions for a 35-14 Eagle lead. A one-yard Thomas sneak and a nine-yard TD pass from Thomas to Steven Isom gave C-N its biggest lead of the afternoon.
 
Nallenweg engineered a 10-play, 75-yard drive (3:32 time elapsed), concluding the march with an eight-yard TD pass to redshirt senior tight end Mark Clyburn (Wingate, N.C.). Carson-Newman fumbled the ensuing kick-off from Wingate freshman place kicker Caleb Baird (Kinston, N.C.), giving the Bulldogs excellent field position at the C-N 31-yard line. Junior running back Josh Covington (Charlotte, N.C.) scored on a one-yard run four plays later, cutting Wingate's deficit to 35-28 early in the fourth frame.
 
Carson-Newman responded with the longest drive of the day, an 18-play, 78-yard clock-sapping (7:41) movement. Duncan finished the drive with a 24-yard field goal at the 6:54 mark to make the score 38-28 Eagles. Berry's 53-yard TD followed 41 seconds later.
 
The Eagles held Wingate to negative seven yards rushing, including four sacks of Wingate's quarterback. C-N sophomore defensive lineman Javaris Neal (Columbia, Tenn.) had 1.5 sacks. Eagle senior linebacker Greg Beauduy (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) had 12 tackles, while senior defensive back Jaycob Coleman (Norton, Va.) had 11 stops and an interception.

For Wingate, redshirt junior defensive back Jon Jimenez (Scottsdale, Ariz.) had 11 tackles (seven solo) and one tackle for loss. Sophomore linebacker Eric Mapoles (Snellville, Ga.) and freshman linebacker Zack Singleton (Germantown, N.C.) had 10 tackles each. Senior punter Austin Anthony (Greensboro, N.C.) boomed a career-best 69-yard punt on his final boot as a Bulldog.

Wingate honored 10 seniors in pre-game festivities. In addition to Anthony, Clyburn and Nallenweg, the Bulldogs recognized offensive linemen Andrew Brenner (Hawthorne, Calif.) and Mike Miller (Horatio, S.C.), defensive lineman Ernest Bridges (Albemarle, N.C.), defensive backs Anthony McGill (Charlotte, N.C.) and Timmy Rogers (Sumter, S.C.), linebacker Ronald Prioleau (Alvin, S.C.) and wide receiver Nick Reddy (Orange City, Fla.).