Dusty Nance didn't have many choices coming off a senior year in which he was voted Super All-Region, but when Carson Newman came calling he knew that was the place he wanted to call home the next four years.

"I didn't have many schools looking at me," Nance said. "After I visited Carson Newman that didn't matter. I knew it was where I wanted to be."

Extreme success

Nance has turned into one of the highest regarded long snappers in the nation in NCAA Division II, gaining notoriety as Preseason All-American by USA Football and Preseason First Team All-South Atlantic Conference at the start of his senior year after earning first-team all-conference honors as a junior.

The senior Biology major has started every game in which he has suited up since his freshman season during which Carson-Newman has never had an extra point, punt or field goal blocked in his three seasons as the program's long snapper. That's 172 extra points, 50 field goals and 98 punts without a block.

"I couldn't be happier with my decision on going to Carson-Newman," Nance said. "They've blessed me with the opportunity to start all four years and get to play the game I love. The moment I get to get dressed every Saturday knowing I got to fulfill a dream of mine to play college football are my favorite moments from being an Eagle."

Tiger fan

The Lewisburg native, much like many other former Tigers, still follows the program closely despite living five hours away in east Tennessee.

"I played all four years for Marshall County and I'm a huge supporter," Nance said. "I check every Friday with my parents and my cousin (Trent Richardson) who's currently on the team. Once a Tiger always a Tiger."

Nance, who came to Carson Newman with two other former Tigers and is the only one of the three to finish his career with the Eagles, stresses education for current Tigers hoping to play at the college level.

"Run and train hard, but most importantly make good grades because at the end you go to college to get a degree," Nance said.

Carson Newman is in the mist of another successful season. Entering Saturday's game against North Greeneville, the Eagles are 7-2 overall record and a 4-2 in the SAC.