JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Despite a fantastic comeback from an early deficit, the Newberry Wolves were edged by the Carson-Newman Eagles, 27-20, at Burke-Tarr Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The loss is Newberry's third straight and drops the Wolves to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the South Atlantic Conference.
Carson-Newman scored the game's first three touchdowns after long drives. Each of those drives was capped by a Damian Baker touchdown run. His scores of 3, 4 and 1 yards put the Eagles out to a three-score lead.
The Wolves rebounded in the second quarter with a 10-play, 73-yard drive, with quarterback Raleigh Yeldell scoring from seven yards out to cut the lead to 20-7 with 6:50 left in the half.
After Newberry held the Eagles to a punt, a quick six-play, 59-yard drive ended with a 21-yard Yeldell scamper for a score. A field goal attempt just before the half was blocked, making the halftime score 20-14.
The Wolves took the opening kickoff and a 32-yard pass completion from Yeldell to Jalen Cook set up a 3-yard touchdown carry by Romelo Doctor. The PAT attempt hit the upright, leaving the game tied at 20-20 with 10:35 left in the third quarter.
With the game changed, the Eagles and Wolves engaged in a classic battle. Newberry looked to take the advantage on a Cole Watson punt return, but the score was wiped off the board thanks to a holding penalty.
Newberry drove to the Carson-Newman 29-yardline, but the fourth down conversion failed, turning the ball back to the hosts. C-N took the ensuing drive 65 yards in nine plays, with a 29-yard Baker carry giving the Eagles a 27-20 lead with 7:14 to go.
The Wolves moved the ball late but were forced to punt, and the desperation drive as the clock ran out was no good.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Yeldell completed 26-of-39 passes for 262 yards and also carried the ball 11 times for 64 yards and two touchdowns.
- Romelo Doctor eclipsed the 100-yard plateau rushing once again, rushing 24 times for 108 yards and a score. He also had five receptions for 50 yards.
- Braxton Ivery had seven receptions for 66 yards and was one of eight Wolves to catch a pass.
- Newberry had two field goals blocked and missed a PAT.
- Kyle Clark punted four times four an average of 46.8 yards with a long of 55 and two downed inside the 20.
- Arnez Gray was the Wolves' defensive leader with 10 tackles, two tackles for loss and two pass breakups.
- Jalen Hunter also had 10 stops, while Joe Blue had nine.
- Carson-Newman quarterback De'Andre Thomas completed 8-of-18 passes for 189 yards and also carried the ball 15 times for 165 yards. Baker carried the ball 17 times for 88 yards and four scores.
- As a team, the Wolves notched 27 first downs with 460 yards of total offense.
- The Wolves were 9-of-19 on third down and held onto the ball for 35:32, including a whopping 12:47 in the third quarter alone.
- Carson-Newman sacked Wolves' quarterbacks twice, both on fourth down to end drives in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
The Wolves return home for a 3 p.m. kickoff on October 24, hosting the Brevard Tornados. The game is Scout Day and First Responders' Day and is sponsored by South State Bank.