1983 Carson–Newman Eagles football team

American college football season March 2026 August 2023 1983 Carson–Newman Eagles football South Atlantic Conference SAC 10–3 6–1 Ken Sparks 4th Burke–Tarr Stadium NAIA Division I national championSAC champion Palm Bowl W 36–28 vs. 1983 Mesa State Mavericks Mesa State The 1983 Carson–Newman Eagles football team was an American football team that represented Carson–Newman College (renamed Carson–Newman University in 2012) as a member of the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) during the 1983 NAIA Division I football season. In its fourth year under head coach Ken Sparks, the team compiled a 10–3 record (6–1 against conference opponents), won the SAC championship, and defeated 1983 Mesa State Mavericks Mesa State in the Palm Bowl to win the NAIA national championship.2010 Carson-Newman Eagles Football Media Guide Carson-Newman College 2010 https://www.cneagles.com/sports/m-footbl/2010-11/files/2010Sec6.pdf It was the first of five national championships (1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, and 1989) won by Carson–Newman during the 1980s. Schedule y y September 10 at Furman<ncg> Paladin Stadium Greenville, SC L 7–52 9,226 Jennings, Lamb lead Furman over Carson-Newman in 52-7 drubbing The Times and Democrat September 11, 1983 4b https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89513005/jennings-lamb-lead-furman-over/ Newspapers.com September 17 at 1983 Franklin Grizzlies Franklin (IN)<ncg> Franklin, IN L 20–24 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-news-sentinel-eagles-stumb/198598032/ The Knoxville News-Sentinel Eagles stumble, fall September 18, 1983 May 30, 2026 Newspapers.com September 24 1983 Elon Fightin' Christians Elon Burke–Tarr Stadium Jefferson City, TN W 15–6 C–N Eagles upend Elon Kingsport Times-News September 25, 1983 3C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89512563/c-n-eagles-upend-elon/ Newspapers.com October 1 1983 Catawba Indians Catawba Burke–Tarr Stadium Jefferson City, TN W 31–9 Eagles Grind Out Second Victory The Knoxville News-Sentinel October 2, 1983 D6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89512772/eagles-grind-out-second-victory/ Newspapers.com October 8 1983 Newberry Indians Newberry Setzler Field Newberry, SC W 11–10 3,200 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-and-democrat-newberr-falls-vic/198598261/ The Times and Democrat Newberry falls victim to Carson–Newman October 9, 1983 May 30, 2026 Newspapers.com October 22 at 1983 Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs Gardner–Webb Ernest W. Spangler Stadium Boiling Springs, NC W 24–20 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-greenville-news-carsonnewman-outlas/198598435/ The Greenville News Carson–Newman outlasts Gardner–Webb October 23, 1983 May 30, 2026 Newspapers.com October 29 1983 Lenoir–Rhyne Bears Lenoir–Rhyne Burke–Tarr Stadium Jefferson City, TN W 21–15 3,500 Carson-Newman Wins SAC-8 Title The Knoxville News-Sentinel October 30, 1983 D4 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89512287/carson-newman-wins-sac-8-title/ Newspapers.com November 5 Central Florida<ncg> Burke–Tarr Stadium Jefferson City, TN W 35–14 3,300 Defense Fires Eagles, 35–14 The Knoxville News-Sentinel Frank (Red) Bailes November 6, 1983 D5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89512063/defense-fires-eagles-35-14/ Newspapers.com November 12 at 1983 Presbyterian Blue Hose Presbyterian Bailey Stadium Clinton, SC L 7–28 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-blue-hose-find-offense-hammer/198598610/ The State Blue Hose find offense, hammer Carson–Newman November 13, 1983 May 30, 2026 Newspapers.com December 3 1983 Shepherd Rams Shepherd<ncg> Burke–Tarr Stadium Jefferson City, TN (NAIA Division I quarterfinal) W 42–21 2,000 Carson-Newman Routs Shepherd, 42-21 The Knoxville News-Sentinel Red Bailes December 4, 1983 D6 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89511855/carson-newman-routs-shepherd-42-21/ Newspapers.com December 10 1983 Saginaw Valley State Cardinals Saginaw Valley State<ncg> Burke–Tarr Stadium Jefferson City, TN (NAIA Division I semifinal) W 41–7 1,544 Saginaw Valley season ended The Port Huron Times Herald December 11, 1983 3C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89511569/saginaw-valley-season-ended/ Newspapers.com December 17 vs 1983 Mesa State Mavericks Mesa State<ncg> Ralph Stocker Stadium Grand Junction, CO (Palm Bowl) W 36–28 8,836 Carson-Newman defeats Mesa College The Times and Democrat Ellen Haddow December 18, 1983 5b https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89511359/carson-newman-defeats-mesa-college/ Newspapers.com References Carson-Newman Eagles Category:Carson–Newman Eagles football seasons Category:NAIA football national champions Category:South Atlantic Conference football champion seasons Carson-Newman Eagles football