Miles’ record-setting football season earned another week to add to its legend, as the 22nd-ranked Golden Bears held off visiting Carson-Newman, 14-13, on Saturday in Fairfield.

Credit the defense with the playoff victory, another record in itself as Miles (10-2) hosted its first Division-II NCAA playoff game after running off a school-record nine victories. Saturday’s win marks the most in school history, surpassing the record of nine, set in 2019.

If the records are to continue next week, they’ll do so in another major way, as the Golden Bears visit top-ranked Valdosta State, winners of four D-II national championships, the last coming in 2018. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. The teams have meet one other time, a 55-7 Miles loss in 2022.

Saturday victory against Carson-Newman came in large part because of the defense’s efforts. Heading into Saturday, Miles had forced 33 turnovers, best in the nation; they ranked second in sacks (40) and interceptions (23).

The Golden Bears forced two turnovers and tallied six tackles for loss, led by a pair from Ramsay product William Hardy. Malachi Oglen added an interception, and Keith Green had a fumble recovery to go with four tackles and a half-sack.

Miles scored first and after a hectic second quarter took a 14-10 lead into halftime. Kamren Ivory found Jaquel Fells on an 11-yard touchdown pass to cap a 11-play, 55-yard drive. After its defense forced a fumble deep in Carson-Newman territory midway through the second quarter, the Golden Bears capitalized on the mistake two plays later with a 5-yard run by Jonero Scott.

Early in the second quarter Carson-Newman scored its only touchdown, as Miles’ defense took a bend-but-don’t-break approach, allowing just two field goals the rest of the way. The first came on the final play of the first half. The second with 14:55 remaining.

Ivory threw for 84 yards on 10-for-20 passing and the touchdown. Scott had a team-high 48 yards rushing on 10 carries.

Carson-Newman workhorse Jayden Sullins, a Cullman native, tallied 137 yards on 27 carries with a touchdown (2 yards) as the Eagles rushed for 179 yards as a team.