Jefferson City, Tenn.----The Wingate University Bulldogs turned it over three times Saturday night, falling 31-14 in the South Atlantic Conference opener at Carson-Newman University. The Eagles improve to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the SAC, while the Bulldogs fall to 2-1 on the year and 0-1 in league play.

NOTES

- Contest featured top two teams in preseason SAC coaches poll
- Both teams receiving votes in AFCA top 25 poll
- Wingate falls to 6-25 all-time against Carson-Newman
- The Bulldogs had won five of their last eight against the Eagles and three of their last four at CN
- First time Wingate has lost a night game against the Eagles
- Snaps a two-game Wingate winning streak against CN
- Wingate falls to 11-2 in its last 13 regular season contests

KEY BULLDOGS

- Shaw Crocker threw for a career-high 243 yards and a touchdown
- Bryan Mitchell caught four passes for 74 yards and a TD
- Malik Bledsoe had five catches for 87 yards
- Domineke McNeill had 20 carries for 79 yards and a score; added three catches for 43 yards
- Jalen Brooks added three catches for 38 yards
- Kendrick Hicks led the 'Dogs with seven tackles
- Cardell Rawlings had six tackles, 2.5 TFLs and a sack
- Three of Joe Kelly's six tackles went for a loss
- Cameron Mattison and Nick Vagnone each added 1.5 tackles for loss
- Chris Birozes averaged 41.7 yards on seven punts; two over 50 yards
- McLean Robertson now nine-for-nine on PATs this year

KEY EAGLES

- Toot Johnson had nine carries for 146 yards and two touchdowns
- Antonio Wimbush had 79 yards on 17 carries
- Derrick Evans was seven-for-15 for 127 yards and a TD
- Romain Kelly had a 33-yard TD catch
- Alonzo Houston had nine tackles and an interception
- Temoris Coats added nine tackles including a sack
- Antonio Henderson added seven tackles and a sack
- Caden Patterson connected on field goals from 34 and 38 yards
- Craig Koenig punted seven times with an average of 35.9 yards

KEY STATS

- Carson-Newman outgained Wingate 416-312 on the night
- The Eagles had 289 rushing yards on 55 attempts
- CN entered the game ranked fourth nationally with 328.5 rush yards per game
- Both teams had 21 first downs
- Carson-Newman forced three WU turnovers; CN had zero turnovers
- Wingate had 12 tackles for loss compared to six for Carson-Newman
- Wingate was three-for-12 on third down; CN was six-for-15
- The 'Dogs had 247 passing yards and 65 rushing yards

FIRST QUARTER

Wingate forced a three-and-out on the Carson-Newman opening drive. The 'Dogs took over on their on 40 and got it first and goal at the CN seven-yard line. On third and goal from the two, McNeill fumbled trying to stretch it over the goal line and the Eagles returned it to the Wingate 38.

Carson-Newman was unable to take advantage of the Wingate miscue, but on its next possession, Evans hit Kelly for a 33-yard TD to put the Eagles on top 7-0.

SECOND QUARTER

The lone score in the second quarter was a Carson-Newman field goal. Patterson hit from 38 yards out to cap a 10-play, 58-yard drive for the Eagles to make it 10-0. Wingate turned it over twice in the second quarter.

THIRD QUARTER

A Desmond Fairell 32-yard punt return helped set up the Eagles on the Wingate 28. Carson-Newman scored five plays later on an Evans one-yard run to make it 17-0.

FOURTH QUARTER

Wingate's 80-yard TD drive started in the third quarter, with Crocker hitting Bledsoe for completions of 18 and 27 yards to get the ball into CN territory. Crocker hit Mitchell for an eight-yard TD to make it a 10-point game.

The Bulldogs forced a three-and-out, then drove the ball inside the CN 30, but turned it over on downs. Johnson's 68-yard run gave the Eagles a 24-7 advantage.

Wingate answered with a seven-play, 75-yard TD drive. Brooks, McNeill and Mitchell caught passes of 17, 15 and 24 yards respectively, while a McNeill 14-yard run got it to the CN five-yard line. McNeill's one-yard TD run made it 24-14.

The Eagles countered with an 11-play, 79-yard drive to regain a 17-point lead. Johnson's 39-yard TD run on third-and-four put Carson-Newman on top 31-14.

UP NEXT

- Wingate returns home for the next two games
- The Bulldogs host Lenoir-Rhyne Saturday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m.
- Wingate welcomes Florida Tech to town Saturday, Sept. 29 at 3 p.m.
- Carson-Newman hits the road for its next two games
- The Eagles are at Newberry next Saturday, followed by a trip to Catawba Sept. 29