Sad ending for senior class

FLORENCE - Saturday's 24-21 loss to Carson-Newman in the NCAA Division II playoff quarterfinals was the final collegiate game for 31 North Alabama seniors.

The list of seniors includes 10 seniors who came in as freshmen and redshirted during the 2005 season. It also includes 11 seniors who transferred this season from Division I schools.

The 10 fifth-year seniors became the second class at UNA to win 10 games in four consecutive seasons. The group made it to the playoff quarterfinals three times and to the semifinals once. The group finished with a combined record of 44-7.

"It was such an honor for me to play college football and a blessing for me to play at UNA," guard Luke Chenault said. "I never expected it to end like this. It's a shock, especially because I know I'll never put on that helmet again.

"We've had a great season, and it was an honor to play for coach (Terry) Bowden. We played our guys out and it was an honor for me to be a part of this team."

Bowden said one of the most rewarding parts of the season was seeing the transfers gel with the returning players.

"I'm proud of the way this team came together and became a team of brothers," Bowden said "When I took the job in January, I had absolutely no idea what we would do after losing 21 seniors and all of our playmakers. But we went out and scratched and put some kids together. I'm so proud of the way they came together and were able to get this far."

Receivers hurting

UNA's three senior wide receivers were held pretty much in check by Carson-Newman's defense.

T.J. Porter led the Lions with seven receptions for 91 yards. Mico McSwain finished with five catches for 23 yards and Preston Parker had four catches for 43 yards. Junior Charles McClain scored the only touchdown, hauling in a 37-yard pass from Harrison Beck with 1:31 remaining.

Porter played after missing the second half of UNA's second-round victory over Arkansas Tech with a concussion. Bowden said both Porter and Parker were limited in practice this week.

"T.J. had the concussion and missed practice all week," Bowden said. "Preston had a bruised heel and missed most of the week as well. I really didn't think Preston would be able to play after seeing him in pregame, but he did. They both played hard, but they were not as open as they normally are."

First win in Braly

Carson-Newman had been 0-8 in its previous game at Braly Stadium before beating UNA on Saturday. The Eagles had lost five times to UNA at Braly Stadium and three times in the Division II Championship Game.

Carson-Newman coach Ken Sparks downplayed the significance to getting that elusive win at UNA's home stadium.

"I really haven't thought about it much," Sparks said. "The issue is playing the best you can and responding the way you are supposed to respond so that you feel good about yourself. I feel like that it what our kids did today."

Wakefield steps up

Carson-Newman running back Buck Wakefield missed the Eagles' loss to UNA in the second week of the

season with a fractured leg. He returned in the fourth week of the season and went on to lead the team in rushing.

Wakefield finally got his chance against UNA in Saturday's rematch and made the most of it. He finished with 160 yards rushing on 20 carries and two touchdowns. His 80-yard scoring run early in the fourth quarter put the Eagles up 24-14.

"My teammates were looking for me to be a difference-maker and I was looking forward to them doing what they do," Wakefield said.

"I love those guys so much, so I had to come out and try to be that difference-maker. Our coaches came up with a great plan and we were able to execute and make the plays we needed to make."

In addition to finally breaking through to win in Florence, Carson-Newman snapped another streak with its

24-14 win. The Eagles became the first non-GSC team to win the region title since 2001. Valdosta State, North Alabama and Delta State had won seven straight region championships. ... It was the Eagles' fourth regional title, but first since 1999. .. North Alabama's -4 rushing yards was its

worst performance since a 1987 game against West Georgia in which the Lions were held to -52 yards. ... Attendance was up by about 2,000 from UNA's first playoff game a week ago. The announced attendance for Saturday's game was 8,211. ... UNA excelled in the penalty area against Carson-Newman. After averaging 11 flags for more than 100 yards per game, the Lions drew only four flags for 45 yards against the Eagles. Place kicker Kenny Spencer had one of the penalties, getting a 15-yarder for unsportsmanlike conduct after an extra point.