BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb has turned to one of college football’s fastest-rising young coaches to lead its program into a new era. Vice President and Director of Athletics Brendan Fahey announced that Kris McCullough, the record‑setting head coach at Texas‑Permian Basin, has been hired as the next head football coach of the Runnin’ Bulldogs.

McCullough, 30, arrives in Boiling Springs with a résumé that reads like a decade’s worth of momentum compressed into a few remarkable seasons. Hired at UTPB in December 2022 as the youngest head coach in college football, he quickly transformed the Falcons into a Division II contender. His debut season produced a 10‑2 record, the first Lone Star Conference championship in school history, and a national ranking as high as No. 18. Two years later, he delivered the best season the program had ever seen: 11 wins, a trip to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals, and a No. 3 final ranking in the AFCA poll.

Across his two playoff seasons at UTPB, McCullough’s teams became known for explosive offense, disciplined defense, and a knack for developing talent. The 2025 Falcons ranked among the nation’s best in passing offense, total yards, total touchdowns, and pass defense, while linebacker Tristan Exline emerged as a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist. In all, 27 players earned All‑Lone Star Conference honors last fall.

Fahey said those results—and the culture behind them—made McCullough the clear choice.

“Kris’s proven track record speaks for itself,” Fahey said. “He has built a culture of excellence both on and off the field. His ability to recruit elite talent, develop players, and win championships makes him an ideal leader here at Gardner‑Webb.”

Before his rise at UTPB, McCullough engineered a dramatic turnaround at East Central University, guiding the Tigers to a 9‑3 season and a Heritage Bowl victory in 2022—their best campaign since 1993. His earlier stops included Fairmont State, Old Dominion, and Henderson State, where he began his coaching career as an undergraduate assistant.

McCullough has collected a long list of accolades along the way, including 2023 Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year and national “Under‑40” and “Under‑35” recognitions from Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, AFCA, and 247Sports.

A native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, McCullough said he and his family are eager to join the Gardner‑Webb community.

“This is an awesome opportunity and a program with rich history,” he said. “It will take every Runnin’ Bulldog to continue to move this program forward. Sko Dawgs.” 

BOILING SPRINGS – After a 2024 season that fell short of expectations, Gardner-Webb football is entering the 2025 campaign with a chip on its shoulder, and the belief that it can get back to championship form. The Runnin’ Bulldogs participated in last week’s Big South-OVC Football Media Day with head coach Cris Reisert speaking confidently about the program’s progress, culture, and roster upgrades as they look to bounce back in Year 2 of his tenure.

Picked to finish tied for sixth in the 2025 preseason coaches poll, Gardner-Webb finds itself in the middle of a crowded conference field that saw four teams share the title a year ago. Tennessee Tech topped the poll with 57 points and five first-place votes, just ahead of perennial contender UT Martin and Southeast Missouri.

For Gardner-Webb, the underdog label could be a blessing. After winning back-to-back conference titles in 2022 and 2023, the program slipped to 4-8 last fall. But Reisert believes that version of the Bulldogs is in the rearview mirror.

“We’ve had a tremendous offseason in the weight room and on the field,” Reisert said. “We’ve got 18 returning starters and 15 others who’ve played significant snaps. The roster is healthier and deeper, and we’re hungry.”

Much of the preseason attention revolves around the quarterback battle. With the departure of Tyler Riddell, Gardner-Webb is sorting through a three-man competition featuring FBS transfers Cole Pennington (Marshall) and Nate Hampton (Liberty), along with decorated freshman Finley Polk. Polk arrives with eye-popping high school numbers, over 10,000 career passing yards and 121 touchdowns, though the job is expected to come down to one of the veteran transfers.

The Bulldogs also leaned hard into the transfer portal this offseason, adding 45 new players, including 15 from FBS programs. On offense, key additions include receivers Markel Fortenberry (Liberty), Chris Lofton (James Madison), and Jalen Harris (Coastal Carolina), along with tight end Gatlin Hancock (Kennesaw State). Defensively, linebacker Sabin McLaughlin (Davidson) and safety David Laney (North Carolina A&T) bring experience and depth to a group that returns key playmakers.

Several of those returners earned preseason recognition across the conference. Running back Quasean Holmes, wide receiver Anthony Lowe, tight end Cole Schneider, linebacker Jackson Marshall, and defensive lineman Antonio O’Berry all landed on the OVC-Big South Preseason Players to Watch lists. Lowe, a graduate student, was selected at three positions, wide receiver, kick returner, and punt returner, highlighting his value as an all-purpose threat.

On defense, O’Berry and Robert Holtz combined for 12.5 sacks last season, while safety Wendell McClain returns to anchor the secondary after a 36-tackle, three-interception campaign. Marshall, a redshirt junior linebacker, adds stability in the middle.

Reisert credits much of the team’s renewed focus to a cultural reset rooted in the program’s core values: being Christ-centered, relationship-driven, and process-based. He emphasizes the Japanese philosophy of “Kaizen,” or continuous improvement, as a daily goal for players and staff alike.

“We’re focused on small wins every day,” Reisert said. “That’s how we’ll build momentum and create lasting change.”

Gardner-Webb opens the season on August 30 with a road trip to Western Carolina. A home date against The Citadel follows on September 13, and the Bulldogs will again play a full eight-game conference slate beginning in October. Non-conference matchups include a major test against FBS opponent Georgia Tech.

With a balanced mix of experience, transfer talent, and culture-first leadership, Gardner-Webb looks to surprise the league and return to championship contention.

“We don’t shy away from the expectations here,” Reisert said. “We’ve done it before, and we believe we’re built to do it again.”

CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte 49ers staged a remarkable fourth-quarter comeback to edge out the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs 27-26 at Jerry Richardson Stadium on Saturday night.

Photo Credit: Ed Conway

First Half Domination

Gardner-Webb dominated the first half, building a commanding 17-0 lead. The Runnin' Bulldogs opened the scoring with a 30-yard field goal by Jay Billingsley in the first quarter. Their defense then made a significant impact, with Trevor Moffitt returning an interception 45 yards for a touchdown. Gardner-Webb's offense continued to shine, capping off an impressive 99-yard drive with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Riddell to Anthony Lowe just before halftime.

Charlotte managed to get on the board with a 54-yard field goal by Stephen Rusnak as time expired in the second quarter, leaving the halftime score at 17-3 in favor of Gardner-Webb.

Second Half Turnaround

The third quarter saw Gardner-Webb extend their lead to 20-3 with another Billingsley field goal. Charlotte responded with a field goal of their own, making it 20-6 heading into the final quarter.

The game took a dramatic turn in the fourth quarter as Charlotte mounted an impressive comeback. The 49ers scored 21 unanswered points, beginning with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Trexler Ivey to O'Mega Blake. Ivey, who came in to replace the injured starter Deshawn Purdie, then connected with Sean Brown for another touchdown and a successful two-point conversion, tying the game at 20-20.

Charlotte's defense forced a crucial turnover, and the offense capitalized immediately with Hahsaun Wilson breaking free for a 39-yard touchdown run, giving the 49ers their first lead of the game at 27-20.

Final Minutes Drama

Gardner-Webb showed resilience, responding with a touchdown drive of their own. Carson Gresock punched in a 1-yard run to bring the Runnin' Bulldogs within one point. However, the ensuing two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving Charlotte with a narrow 27-26 lead.

The 49ers managed to recover the onside kick attempt and held on for the victory, completing their largest comeback in the program's FBS history.

Key Statistics

- Total Yards: Gardner-Webb 390, Charlotte 349

- Passing Yards: Gardner-Webb 340, Charlotte 336

- Rushing Yards: Gardner-Webb 50, Charlotte 13

- Turnovers: Gardner-Webb 3, Charlotte 3

Standout Performances

- Gardner-Webb's Tyler Riddell: 23-38 for 340 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs

- Charlotte's Trexler Ivey: 11-12 for 142 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs

- Gardner-Webb's Jaylen Bly: 8 receptions for 74 yards

- Charlotte's Hahsaun Wilson: 6 rushes for 52 yards, 1 TD

Up Next

Charlotte travels to take on the Big Ten’s Indiana while Gardner-Webb takes on Presbyterian from the Pioneer League.

Saturday night’s ACC Network game from Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh will be the 113th meeting between the NC State Wolfpack and the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Tar Heels, recovering from a loss at Clemson, are preparing to face their rivals in the final game of the 2023 regular season. The Tar Heels’ offense, which averages 38.1 points per game, is the 12th highest nationally, and they’ve been successful on third downs, converting 49.7% of them. Quarterback Drake Maye and running back Omarion Hampton have been key players, with Maye throwing at least one touchdown pass in 10 of the 11 games this season and Hampton rushing for 100 yards in six consecutive games.

On the other side, the Wolfpack have been formidable opponents under the guidance of head coach Dave Doeren, the winningest coach in school history with 80 wins at NC State. They are one of only four teams in the Power 5 that have won eight or more games in each of the last four seasons. Their defense, which leads the ACC in total defense and scoring defense vs. league opponents, has been particularly impressive. In the last nine games, the Wolfpack defense has allowed just 88.5 rushing yards per game. During that span, three opponents have rushed for less than 100 yards. This game promises to be a thrilling end to the regular season, with both teams bringing their A-game to the field for bragging rights and a claim to best FBS team in the state.

NCAA Division II Playoffs (Round 2)

Lenoir-Rhyne vs Benedict: The Lenoir-Rhyne Bears are set to face the Benedict Tigers in the NCAA Division II playoffs this Saturday. The Bears have had a strong season, with an 11-1 record and an average of 40.17 points per game. Their rushing game is led by Dwayne McGee, who has gained 1213 yards with an average of 110.27 yards per game. In the passing game, Jalen Ferguson has completed 111 out of 154 attempts, throwing for 1468 yards and 16 touchdowns. The receiving corps is led by DeAree Rogers, who has made 43 catches for 621 yards and 6 touchdowns. On defense, Jon Ross Maye leads the team with 86 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. The Bears' defense has been particularly effective, with 35 sacks and 13 interceptions this season. The team's overall performance has been impressive, with an average of 443.7 yards per game. This game promises to be a thrilling encounter, with the Bears looking to leverage their strong performance this season against the formidable Tigers.

NCAA FCS Playoffs (Round )

Gardner-Webb vs. Mercer: This Saturday, the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs, under the guidance of Head Coach Tre Lamb, a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, will face off against the Mercer Bears in the NCAA FCS playoffs. The Bulldogs have had a strong season, with back-to-back conference championships for the first time since 2002 and 2003, and an undefeated home record. Their offense, led by Lamb, has been aggressive, averaging 34.7 points per game in conference games and converting 24 of their 37 fourth-down attempts. On the defensive end, Ty French has set a new school record for career sacks with 30.5 and has been named a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award. Running back Narii Gaither has also made history, becoming just the second player in program history to rush for at least 3,000 yards. The Bulldogs have a record of 9-36 against FCS teams ranked inside the national polls, but they defeated #13/14 UT Martin earlier this season. Freshman quarterback Jaylen King, a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, has gone 5-1 in his first six career starts, including leading the Bulldogs to a 38-34 upset victory over #13/14 UT Martin. This game promises to be a thrilling encounter, with the Bulldogs looking to leverage their strong performance this season against the formidable Bears.

North Carolina Central vs. Richmond: This Saturday at 3pm, the NCAA FCS playoff game between North Carolina Central and Richmond is set to be a thrilling showdown. NCCU, with a record of 9-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play, has been a force to reckon with this season. They have outscored their opponents 403 to 296, averaging 36.64 points per game. Their rushing attack, led by Latrell Collier with 684 yards and 8 touchdowns, and Davius Richard with 579 yards and 15 touchdowns, has been particularly potent. Richard has also been impressive in the passing game, completing 60.98% of his passes for 1915 yards and 20 touchdowns. On the receiving end, Devin Smith and Joaquin Davis have been key contributors, with 505 and 404 receiving yards respectively. On the defensive side, Jayden Flaker leads the team with 74 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. With a rare appearance in the FCS playoffs, NCCU is poised to give a tough fight to the University of Richmond.

Honoring NCCFB Legend Armanti Edwards 

App State vs. Georgia Southern: App State will host Georgia Southern at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone in a game that will be broadcast on ESPNU Saturday afternoon at 3:30. App State leads the series 21-16-1 overall and 14-5-1 in Boone. Leading the Mountaineers’ offense is quarterback Joey Aguilar with 2,975 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, receiver Kaedin Robinson with 45 catches for 609 yards and 8 touchdowns, and running back Nate Noel with 787 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. Andrew Parker Jr. paces the App State defense with 98 tackles. The game will be a significant event, as it's not only the regular-season finale but also Senior Day, and the retirement of QB Armanti Edwards’ No. 14 jersey will take place at halftime. App State is also vying for a Sun Belt Championship Game berth. The team needs to beat Georgia Southern and have JMU win at Coastal Carolina to advance to face West champ Troy on Dec. 2.

As the clock struck noon on Selection Sunday, football fans across the nation eagerly tuned in to witness the unveiling of the 2023 FCS playoff bracket. The anticipation reached its peak as the NCAA Division I Football Championship Committee revealed the field of 24 teams competing for the prestigious title.

Two teams from North Carolina, Gardner-Webb and North Carolina Central, found themselves among the chosen few. For the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs, it was a testament to their resilience throughout a challenging season. Despite facing one of the toughest nonconference schedules in FCS football, the Runnin' Bulldogs secured significant victories against Elon and #13 UT Martin. They stumbled along the way, facing tough losses to FBS Appalachian State and fellow playoff team Austin Peay. However, as conference play unfolded, Gardner-Webb turned the tide, finishing strong with a 5-1 record and clinching the conference championship for the second consecutive year.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the North Carolina Central University Eagles soared into the playoffs on the wings of an impressive season. Fresh off winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the HBCU national championship, the Eagles showcased their strength in a schedule that included marquee matchups against UCLA and a trip to the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis. Victories against South Carolina State and Norfolk State highlighted their success, while a challenging loss to Howard kept them out of the Celebration Bowl for a second year in a row but opened the door to the FCS playoffs.

As the bracket unfolded, fans marveled at the matchups that would define the road to the national championship in Frisco, Texas. Gardner-Webb was slated to face Mercer in the first round, a game that promised intensity and excitement. Meanwhile, NC Central prepared for a showdown with Richmond, setting the stage for a clash between two formidable opponents. Both North Carolina teams will play away from home for the first round of the playoffs with a win putting each team on the road at one of the top eight national seeds.

Top 8 seeds

1. South Dakota State
2. Montana
3. South Dakota
4. Idaho
5. Albany
6. Montana State
7. Furman
8. Villanova

The playoff journey begins on Thanksgiving weekend on ESPN+, with the first-round matchups set to captivate audiences across the nation. 

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.

With ESPN's College Gameday in Charlotte this weekend, the "Battle of the Carolinas" highlights what is an exciting opening weekend of college football in North Carolina. The Duke's Mayo Classic will see the North Carolina Tar Heels and the South Carolina Gamecocks battling Saturday night in Bank of America Stadium.

While the Tar Heels and Gamecocks don’t play each other often enough to sustain a heated rivalry like UNC has with Duke and NC State, this game is still an opportunity for both teams to set their teams on a trajectory toward success in 2023 while also getting a chance to represent their respective states. The game encompasses so much more than just football, it’s a chance to celebrate the history and culture of both North and South Carolina.

One key player to watch in this game is North Carolina’s sophomore quarterback Drake Maye. Maye is one of college football’s top returning players this fall and is heavily involved in early Heisman projections.

This game promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle between two talented teams. Fans from both states will be eagerly watching to see who comes out on top in this year’s “Battle of the Carolinas.”

Other Big Games

East Carolina at Michigan: East Carolina opens its season at No. 2 Michigan. Under fifth-year head coach Mike Houston, East Carolina closed the 2022 season winning five of its last seven games before finishing with an 8-5 overall record. The Pirates became bowl-eligible for the second consecutive season and earned their 10th bowl victory in program history with a 53-29 win over Coastal Carolina in the TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl. Saturday’s game against Michigan will mark the third time the Pirates have faced a team ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in the Associated Press poll.

Gardner Webb at Appalachian State: The Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs head up the mountain to take on the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Kidd Brewer Stadium. App State, which is 9-1 against FCS teams since its FBS transition in 2014, is facing a ranked FCS team for the first time since the Mountaineers’ final SoCon season in 2013. This game will kick off at 3:30 and will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Greensboro at Guilford: Greensboro College plays against crosstown rival Guilford College in the 23rd edition of the Gate City Soup Bowl Saturday at 7. Fans are encouraged to wear crimson as it is the football team’s BLEED CRIMSON game. Fans who bring three canned goods received free admission into the game, as part of a canned food drive to benefit Second Harvest and Greensboro Urban Ministries.

CHARLOTTE -- The Big South Conference and the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) announced today its football conference game schedule for the 2023 season, which marks the first year of the joint association of the league’s football member institutions.

The 10 combined teams in 2023 (6 – OVC, 4 – Big South) will play a six-game conference schedule, as prior scheduling commitments prevented opportunities for additional Big South-OVC games in the first year.  

Games will be played during 10 of the 12 weeks in 2023, with the first-ever contest scheduled for Week 2 on Sept. 9 with Lindenwood at 2022 OVC Champion Southeast Missouri.  The first cross-over game features 2022 Big South Champion Gardner-Webb at Tennessee State in Week 3 on Sept. 16.  

Five of the 10 members will begin league play in September – Lindenwood (Sept. 9), Southeast Missouri (Sept. 9), Tennessee State (Sept. 16), Gardner-Webb (Sept. 16), and UT Martin (Sept. 30).  The remaining five squads open conference action on either Oct. 7 or Oct. 14.

Three league games are slated for Oct. 7, Oct. 14, and Oct. 21 and the slate increases to four on the final Saturday of October.  Two of the three November dates have the maximum five conference games on the schedule.

More details of the association’s administration, including tiebreakers for the automatic bid to the playoffs, will be announced at a later date.

Below is the 2023 composite Big South-OVC league schedule, which is subject to change.

2023 Big South-OVC Football Conference Schedule

Saturday, Sept. 9

Lindenwood at Southeast Missouri

Saturday, Sept. 16

Gardner-Webb at Tennessee State

Saturday, Sept. 30

Tennessee State at UT Martin

Saturday, Oct. 7

UT Martin at Eastern Illinois

Robert Morris at Gardner-Webb

Tennessee Tech at Lindenwood

Saturday, Oct. 14

Robert Morris at Bryant

Lindenwood at Charleston Southern

Eastern Illinois at Southeast Missouri

Saturday, Oct. 21

Bryant at Eastern Illinois

Charleston Southern at UT Martin

Southeast Missouri at Tennessee Tech

Saturday, Oct. 28

Bryant at Charleston Southern

UT Martin at Gardner-Webb

Lindenwood at Tennessee State

Tennessee Tech at Robert Morris

Saturday, Nov. 4

Gardner-Webb at Bryant

Tennessee State at Charleston Southern

Eastern Illinois at Lindenwood

Robert Morris at Southeast Missouri

UT Martin at Tennessee Tech

Saturday, Nov. 11

Bryant at Lindenwood

Charleston Southern at Robert Morris

Tennessee State at Eastern Illinois

Gardner-Webb at Tennessee Tech

Southeast Missouri at UT Martin

Saturday, Nov. 18

Southeast Missouri at Bryant

Charleston Southern at Gardner-Webb

Eastern Illinois at Robert Morris

Tennessee Tech at Tennessee State

BOILING SPRINGS – Saturday night's matchup between Western Carolina and Gardner-Webb saw a budding in-state rivalry building into a new chapter as each team was still breaking in fairly new head coaches who both sport offensive philosophies that want to run as many plays as possible in a quick-paced manner. The two teams did not disappoint, combining for 1200 yards of offense and eighty-six points. Although Western Carolina had a quarterback who threw for over 400 yards, it was Gardner-Webb, who lived up to their Runnin' Bulldogs name, sporting two 100+ yard rushers on the night, who were victorious on Saturday, winning 52-34.

The first quarter did not have the fireworks that fans and pundits alike were expecting. Gardner-Webb forced a three-and-out on the first drive of the game, but fumbled on their first play from scrimmage, giving Western Carolina the ball back in Bulldogs territory. The Catamounts took advantage of the turnover, landing on the scoreboard first with a thirty-eight-yard Richard McCollum field goal. Not wanting to be outdone by another in-state kicker, Gardner-Webb's Austin McKay kicked his own field goal to knot the score at three.

Although the first half was marred with turnovers with each team fumbling twice and turning the ball over on downs once, there were bright spots for each squad as well. Gardner-Webb running back Narii Gaither ran hard for Gardner-Webb and wide receiver TJ Luther made two great catches with the sun right in his eyes, the second in the back corner of the end zone to give the Bulldogs their first touchdown of the day. Western Carolina's KJ Milner had multiple tackles for loss and a recovered fumble and quarterback Rogan Wells was 12 of 16 passing with a scoring toss to Kenny Benjamin.

The teams started to settle down as the second quarter got underway. After the Catamounts added another McCollum field goal to cut the deficit to four, Rogan Wells led his team on their first/only touchdown drive of the half, moving Western Carolina fifty-eight yards in eight plays, culminating with a thirteen-yard scoring grab by Kenny Benjamin.

The Runnin' Bulldogs looked to regain the momentum late in the quarter, and quarterback Bailey Fisher was ready to step up and led his team on a seventy-yard scoring drive, finishing the drive on his own with a keeper, but it was Western Carolina who would have the last word in the half with Wells continuing with his hot hand, leading the visiting Catamounts seventy-nine yards in eleven plays. Calvin Jones made a great grab at the one-yard line to get the Catamounts into position and TJ Jones punched it in two plays later to give Western a 20-17 halftime lead.

Gardner-Webb QB Bailey Fisher celebrates a touchdown. Photo: Brian Barnes

The second half was a tale of two quarters. The third quarter saw both teams trading punches and trying to light up the scoreboard. After forcing an initial punt which rolled all the way to the two-yard line, Western Carolina struck fast and quarterback Rogan Wells broke free on an eighty-two-yard keeper three plays later to give the Catamounts a three-point lead. TJ Luther got Gardner-Webb right back in scoring position after returning the ensuing kickoff seventy yards to the Western Carolina thirty-yard line. This set up Narii Gaither, who picked up eighteen of his team-leading 151 rushing yards on a rushing touchdown three plays later. Wells and the Catamounts sought to respond immediately. Wells, who finished with 427 yards on the evening, accounted for all eighty-three yards through the air on this drive, finishing with a six-yard pass to Raphael Williams to make it a two-score game again. Western Carolina would not see the end zone again the rest of the night. The rest of the game would belong to the home team.

Gardner-Webb got back into and then began to control the last twenty minutes of the game. Freshman Donovan Jones added two scores for the Bulldogs, a six-yard score, and a back-breaking seventy-nine scamper to seal the deal. Between these two Jones scores was a pick-six for junior Jamari Brown.

Up Next

Gardner-Webb (2-2) takes on Monmouth in the Runnin' Bulldogs Big South Conference opener while Western Carolina (0-4) opens Southern Conference play on the road at Chattanooga.

PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE FIRST-TEAM

The Big South Conference announced today its revised football conference schedule for the spring season to accommodate previous postponements due to COVID concerns.  Games involving Charleston Southern, Gardner-Webb, Monmouth, and Robert Morris have been adjusted, and the season will now end on Saturday, April 17.  Below is the updated conference schedule, and future schedule adjustments may be announced at any time.

Saturday, March 27 (no change)

Charleston Southern at Monmouth

Kennesaw State at Gardner-Webb

Saturday, April 3

Monmouth at Gardner-Webb

Robert Morris at Kennesaw State (no change)

Saturday, April 10

Robert Morris at Charleston Southern

Kennesaw State at Monmouth (no change)

Saturday, April 17

Gardner-Webb at Charleston Southern

Monmouth at Robert Morris

TBD

Gardner-Webb at Robert Morris

Future schedule adjustments may be announced at any time

BOILING SPRINGS – The Runnin’ Bulldogs were victorious in their first game under new head coach Tre Lamb on Saturday afternoon. Gardner-Webb outscored #24 Elon 35-0 in the second half on their way to a 42-20 win over the visiting Phoenix.

Gardner-Webb running back Narii Gaither led the Runnin’ Bulldogs with 119 yards on 19 carries, hitting paydirt twice on the afternoon. Quarterback Carlton Aiken added another two scores on the ground for the home team. Devron Harper also returned a punt to the house for Gardner-Webb to take the lead for good on the afternoon. Elon was paced by quarterback Joey Baughman who scored on a quarterback sneak early in the first quarter. Skyler Davis was 2 of 2 on the afternoon on field goals.

Both teams are in action next Saturday as Gardner-Webb (1-0) hosts Presbyterian for their second straight game at Spangler Stadium while Elon (1-1) returns to the friendly confines of Rhodes Stadium, hosting CAA rival James Madison.