Wofford Tops Gardner-Webb, 34-17, In Season Finale
November 18, 2006 | Football
BOILING SPRINGS - Wofford scored 27 points off of Gardner-Webb turnovers Saturday, and controlled the clock in the second half to run past the Bulldogs, 34-17.
Gardner-Webb (6-5) turned the football over seven times in the game (four fumbles, three interceptions), and rushed for minus-12 yards - the lowest total for a single game in senior college history.
Wofford (7-4) kept its playoff hopes alive with the victory, controlling the clock for 21 minutes in the second half to keep GWU's passing attack off the field. The Terriers ran for 318 yards, with quarterback Josh Collier leading the way with 21 carries for 117 yards and three scores.
Gardner-Webb kept things interesting despite the turnovers until late in the game, and stood tied with the Terriers, 10-10, as time ticked down in the second quarter. With the Bulldogs driving for a go-ahead field goal, Devin Campbell was intercepted by Kevin Adleman at the Wofford 24-yard line, and the linebacker rumbled 76 yards the other way for a score with just 29 seconds to play in the first half - giving the Terriers a 17-10 lead at the break.
A 66-yard drive in the third quarter led to a Collier five-yard run, pushing the Terriers lead to 24-10 with 9:48 left in that frame. Nick Robinson added his second field goal of the day after another GWU turnover, hitting a 32-yarder with 54 seconds left in the third for a 27-10 lead.
Gardner-Webb answered, going 72 yards on eight plays to pull within 10. Campbell hit Duvaughn Flagler over the middle for a 37-yard touchdown with 12:54 to play in the fourth quarter, and GWU trailed just 27-17. After forcing the Terriers' offense out, Gardner-Webb took over in excellent shape at its own 40 with 10:59 to play in the game - pulling most in attendance to the edge of their seats in anticipation of another comeback.
Wofford forced two incompletions, then got a fumble after a third-down completion - as Kory Alston coughed it up trying for extra yardage, and Kyle Horne recovered at the Bulldog 35-yard line.
GWU dodged a bullet, as Robinson missed a 30-yard field goal when the drive stalled, but Campbell was intercepted again on second down by Buck Brown, and the Terriers took over at the Bulldog 49-yard line to thwart another drive.
Wofford didn't stall this time, as Collier carried three times for 26 yards to cap the drive with a two-yard scoring burst. The drive covered just 49 yards, but chewed up 4:02 on the clock, leaving GWU just 2:00 to try and mount a comeback.
Backup quarterback Stan Doolittle was picked off by Seth Goldwire on third down, however, effectively ending the game. The Terriers got another first down and ran out the clock for their fifth win in a row.
Gardner-Webb's defense, which had been torched for 638 total yards last week, was effective early against Wofford, limiting the Terriers to just 129 yards in the first half. The second half running game got rolling, and Wofford wound up with 338 total yards (20 yards passing) in the game.
Gardner-Webb totaled 315 total yards, but were sacked four times to hamper any rushing attack - as GWU carried 16 times for minus-12 yards. Campbell was 20-of-34 for 265 yards and two scores (two interceptions), while Doolittle came off the bench to pass for 62 yards on 9-of-11 attempts.
Austin Gaines caught a career-high nine passes for 122 yards, and Flagler ended his junior season with seven catches for 85 yards and a score. Andre Manning had a 57-yard touchdown catch from Campbell in the first quarter, and finished with two grabs for 63 yards.
In addition to Collier's 100-yard day, Kevious Johnson had 92 yards on 15 carries to assist Wofford's ground attack.
Gardner-Webb got 13 tackles (six solo) from Mario Brown, as the sophomore finished the year with 109 hits. Mike Pavelko (12 tackles), Daniel Cooke (10 tackles) and Brian Johnston (10 tackles, sack, 2 TFL) also hit double figures for the Bulldogs.
Wofford got a career-best 11 tackles (10 solo) from cornerback Filmon Dawkins, who also forced a fumble and broke up a pass. Bryan Blair and Kyle Horne each had two sacks for the Terriers.
Both team's regular seasons' are complete.
