Eagles Kickoff 2024 on the Road at Carson Newman

photo courtesy of Adam Greene, CN Athletics

Jefferson City, TN  - Reinhardt Football got their season started on Thursday night, playing NCAA DII Carson Newman.  After about a month of preseason practice, the players finally got a chance to face an outside opponent. However, Reinhardt would come out on the losing end of this one, 50-7.

The Carson Newman Eagles got going early and continued scoring throughout the game. Reinhardt's only score would come from a dynamic kickoff return in the second quarter by backup running back, Tyress McKee, who is also a star track athlete for the Eagles.

Carson Newman scored their first touchdown in the first quarter with eight minutes remaining in the game after both teams had a four-down-and-out series. They got the majority of their scores in the second and third quarters scoring three touchdowns in each of the quarters.

Redshirt-Freshman quarterback Kace Kinnamon got his first start as a Reinhardt Eagle, and he had to grow up fast facing the NCAA DII opponent.  Carson Newman made it tough all night for Kinnamon and the Eagles, as they were only able to produce 89 yards of total offense. The Eagles got 52 yards in the air and 37 on the ground.  Kinnamon was 7-17 for 52 yards with 20 yards as the long. The 20-yard pass was to junior wide receiver CJ McGhee.

Jayden Ponder led the Eagles in rushing with 19 total, and Jah Colbert was not far behind with 17 yards.  The tough defense of Carson Newman had Reinhart struggling to move the ball all game.

Defensively, Bryghton Peters, Orlando Gandy Jr, and Brandon Payton led the Eagles in tackles with 7 each. Peters had 7 solo tackles to lead the team overall. 2023 AAC Defensive Player of the Year Keon McGhee and Jeremiah Rowe both had 6 tackles each.

The 90-yard kickoff return by McKey in the second quarter was the lone highlight for the Eagles. McKey had three returns for 127 total yards.

Reinhardt will be back in NAIA action on Saturday, Sept 7th, visiting Faulkner University.  The Eagles have opened up their past two seasons with Faulkner and Reinhardt coming up on the winning side of both of those contests.