BOILING SPRINGS – In a commanding display of offensive and defensive ability, Gardner-Webb notched an impressive 34-10 victory over Charleston Southern, securing the Runnin’ Bulldogs second straight conference title.

Coach Tre Lamb's Gardner-Webb offensive machinery churned out an impressive 448 total yards, with a remarkable 308 yards coming from their potent rushing attack. The Runnin' Bulldogs contained the Charleston Southern offense, holding them to 248 total yards, with only 92 yards on the ground.

The scoring summary tells a tale of a Gardner-Webb squad overcoming a slow start and exploding on the gridiron in the second half. The first quarter saw Jay Billingsley's precision, nailing field goals from 48 and 22 yards out, setting the tone for the Runnin' Bulldogs. Brendan Jackson's one-yard touchdown run further solidified Gardner-Webb's early lead. Despite a responsive eight-yard touchdown run by Charleston Southern's TJ Ruff in the second quarter, the Runnin' Bulldogs held their ground. The third and fourth quarters featured standout plays, including Jackson's second touchdown run and a spectacular 43-yard pass from Jaylen King to AJ Johnson, sealing Gardner-Webb's dominance and capping a convincing victory.

Gardner-Webb's victory wasn't merely an offensive showcase; it was a testament to disciplined play across all aspects of the game. The Runnin' Bulldogs demonstrated their defensive tenacity by holding Charleston Southern to a mere 10 points. Ty French's stellar performance set a new program record for career sacks at 30.5, surpassing Gabe Wilkins' previous record of 29.0 from 1990-93. The Gardner-Webb defense's formidable display limited Charleston Southern to a mere 81 yards in the second half and held opponents to less than 100 rushing yards for the third consecutive game.

Up Next

Gardner-Webb (7-4, 5-1) awaits its destination for the 2023 FCS Playoffs. The FCS Selection Show airs on ESPNU on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 12:30 PM.

CULLOWHEE – The #23-ranked Western Carolina football team put on a sensational offensive display on Saturday, securing a resounding 77-21 victory over Charleston Southern. The game took place on Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium and attracted an enthusiastic crowd of 13,357 fans, as it coincided with Family Weekend.

Western Carolina's offense was nothing short of spectacular, amassing a staggering 683 yards of total offense and 11 touchdowns. Quarterback Cole Gonzales was in exceptional form, throwing five touchdown passes in the first half alone, connecting with four different receivers, including a pair of scores to AJ Colombo. Gonzales began the game with a perfect 12-for-12 passing, completing five touchdowns before his first incompletion. He ended the game 14-of-16 for 299 yards. Notably, three different quarterbacks contributed to the offensive onslaught, with Brody Palhegyi and true freshman Taron Dickens also finding success through the air.

Photo Credit: Samuel Wallace (WCU Communications and Marketing)

Desmond Reid led the charge on the ground, racking up 111 yards on 13 carries and scoring two touchdowns. The Lions scored a remarkable 42 points in the first half, matching a school record they've achieved three times since 2004. Gonzales' passing prowess was complemented by a total of 12 different receivers, including true freshman Corey Washington, who recorded a career-best three receptions for 108 receiving yards.

Defensively, Western Carolina limited Charleston Southern to 223 total yards, with standout performances from LB Va Lealaimatafao, redshirt freshman Ken Moore Jr., and end Curtis Fann Jr. Western Carolina improved its record to 3-1, with a 1-0 mark in SoCon play.

Next on the schedule, Western Carolina embarks on a two-game road swing through conference play, beginning with a matchup against The Citadel Bulldogs (0-4, 0-1 SoCon) at Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston next Saturday at 2 p.m.