1989 Carson–Newman Eagles football team

American college football season March 2026 August 2023 1989 Carson–Newman Eagles football South Atlantic Conference SAC 12–1 6–1 Ken Sparks 10th Burke–Tarr Stadium NAIA Division I national championSAC champion Champion Bowl W 34–20 vs. 1989 Emporia State Hornets Emporia State The 1989 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 1989 NAIA Division I football season. In its tenth year under head coach Ken Sparks, the team compiled a 12–1 record (6–1 against conference opponents) and won the SAC championship.2010 Carson-Newman Eagles Football Media Guide Carson-Newman College 2010 https://www.cneagles.com/sports/m-footbl/2010-11/files/2010Sec6.pdf The Eagles advanced to the NAIA playoffs, defeating 1989 West Virginia Tech Golden Bears West Virginia Tech in the quarterfinals and Central State (OH) in the semifinals. They faced 1989 Emporia State Hornets Emporia State in the Champion Bowl, winning by a 34–20 score to win the NAIA national championship. It was the fifth of five national championships won by Carson–Newman in seven years (1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, and 1989). After the season, Sparks was chosen as the SAC Coach of the Year, the fourth time he won the award. In addition, Carson–Newman strong safety Joe Fishback was named SAC Defensive Player of the Year, and free safety Chuck Proffitt was named SAC Freshman of the Year. Seven Carson–Newman players received first-team honors on the All-SAC team: running back Vernon Turner; offensive linemen Kelly Rasnic and Paige Belcher; place-kicker Rick Wetsel; defensive lineman John Mefford; and defensive backs Joe Fishback and David Pool.Carson-Newman reaps SAC awards The Greenville News November 21, 1989 8 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89543583/carson-newman-reaps-sac-awards/ Newspapers.com Schedule y y September 2 at 1989 Fairmont State Fighting Falcons Fairmont State<ncg> Duvall-Rosier Field Fairmont, WV W 44-0 Carson-Newman drubs Fairmont State, 44-0 The Greenville News September 3, 1989 2C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89549528/carson-newman-drubs-fairmont-state-44-0/ Newspapers.com September 9 1988 Hillsdale Chargers Hillsdale<ncg> Burke–Tarr Stadium Jefferson City, TN W 40-16 4,167 Carson-Newman runs past Hillsdale, 40-16 Johnson City Press Rick Sheek September 10, 1989 23 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89549705/carson-newman-runs-past-hillsdale-40-16/ Newspapers.com September 16 at 1989 Wingate Bulldogs Wingate Wingate, NC W 28-3 Carson-Newman, 28-3 Johnson City Press September 17, 1989 19 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89550302/carson-newman-28-3/ Newspapers.com September 23 1989 Elon Fightin' Christians Elon Burke–Tarr Stadium Jefferson City, TN W 17-0 4,003 Carson-Newman 17, Elon 0 The Times and Democrat September 24, 1989 4B https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89549922/carson-newman-17-elon-0/ Newspapers.com September 30 1989 Catawba Indians Catawba Burke–Tarr Stadium Jefferson City, TN W 24-10 3,343 Eagles stump Catawba, 24-10, for win No. 13 Kingsport Times-News Greg Peters October 1, 1989 3D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89550108/eagles-stump-catawba-24-10-for-win/ Newspapers.com October 7 1989 Newberry Wolves Newberry<ncg> Burke–Tarr Stadium Jefferson City, TN W 45-24 4,259 Eagles blast Newberry, 45-24 Kingsport Times-News October 8, 1989 3D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89545366/eagles-blast-newberry-45-24/ Newspapers.com October 14 1989 Mars Hill Lions Mars Hill Burke–Tarr Stadium Jefferson City, TN L 14-17 Miscues kill C-N in loss Johnson City Press Rick Sheek October 15, 1989 23 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89545043/miscues-kill-c-n-in-loss/ Newspapers.com October 21 at 1989 Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs Gardner–Webb Ernest W. Spangler Stadium Boiling Springs, NC W 23-20 <OT> Carson-Newman outlasts GW The Greenville News October 22, 1989 4C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89545208/carson-newman-outlasts-gw/ Newspapers.com October 28 1989 Lenoir–Rhyne Bears Lenoir–Rhyne Burke–Tarr Stadium Jefferson City, TN W 38-0 4,739 Eagles defense picks up six turnovers in 38-0 win Kingsport Times-News Jimmy Moore October 29, 1989 4D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89544896/eagles-defense-picks-up-six-turnovers/ Newspapers.com November 11 at 1989 Presbyterian Blue Hose Presbyterian Bailey Stadium Clinton, SC W 43-21 3,200 Carson-Newman clinches SAC with 45-21 win over Presbyterian The Greenville News Hap Bryant November 12, 1989 2C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89544532/carson-newman-clinches-sac-with-45-21/ Newspapers.com December 2 at 1989 West Virginia Tech Golden Bears West Virginia Tech<ncg> Laidley Field Charleston, WV (NAIA Division I quarterfinal) W 51-13 Carson-Newman rips West Virginia Tech The Tennessean December 3, 1989 11C https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89544383/carson-newman-rips-west-virginia-tech/ Newspapers.com December 9 Central State (OH)<ncg> Burke–Tarr Stadium Jefferson City, TN (NAIA Division I semifinal) W 20-17 3,254 Eagles advance with 20-17 win Kingsport Times-News Bill Lane December 10, 1989 1D, 3D https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89544182/eagles-advance-with-20-17-win/ Newspapers.com December 16 1989 Emporia State Hornets Emporia State<ncg> Burke–Tarr Stadium Jefferson City, TN (Champion Bowl) W 34-20 4,483 '89 another banner year for C-N The Knoxville News-Sentinel Chuck Cavalaris December 17, 1989 C1, C5 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89544028/89-another-banner-year-for-c-n/ 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