GWU Big South Title Hopes Take Hit In 17-14 Loss
November 10, 2007 | Football
CONWAY, S.C. – Gardner-Webb saw a chance at its first
outright Big South Championship since 2003 slip away Saturday
night, as Coastal Carolina beat the Bulldogs 17-14.
The win was the fourth in a row for Coastal Carolina (4-6, 2-1 Big
South) over Gardner-Webb. The Runnin' Bulldogs (5-5, 2-1 Big South)
now face a must-win situation next week to avoid their third losing
season since 2004.
GWU had control of the game into the third quarter after a 21-yard
David Montgomery run put the ‘Dogs up 14-3, but Coastal
Carolina answered the bell with a pair of touchdown passes from
William Richardson to Jerome Simpson – the final coming at the
7:43 mark of the fourth quarter to give the Chants the lead for
good. A high snap on a punt attempt by Gardner-Webb moments earlier
gave the Chants a first down at the GWU 18-yard line.
Gardner-Webb drove inside the Chanticleers 20-yard line with under
four minutes to play – but went backward, forcing a 45-yard
field goal try by Evan Kay that was wide and short with 3:03
remaining.
Coastal Carolina bulled its way to three first downs after taking
over, and simply ran out the clock.
Gardner-Webb appeared sharp on its first drive, going 83 yards to
take a 7-0 lead on a 16-yard hookup from Stan Doolittle to Dobson
Collins. The Bulldogs' defense bent somewhat, but held Coastal
Carolina to just a field goal in the first half. GWU led 7-3 at the
break.
Montgomery's 21-yard sprint after a Dave Simpson interception in
the third quarter gave the ‘Dogs momentum, but the offense
couldn't find the end zoned again.
Coastal Carolina managed 305 yards on the night, with fullback Mike
Tolbert running over multiple defenders several times en route to
100 yards on 16 carries. Simpson, who has struggled at times this
year – but who has enjoyed big games against GWU in his four
seasons – finished with 91 yards on five catches and two
scores.
Gardner-Webb had 290 total yards in the game, with Montgomery going
for 71 yards and a score on the ground. Doolittle finished 15-of-24
for 162 yards and a score through the air.
The Bulldogs must try to recover next week against one of the
nation's hottest teams, as Liberty (3-0 Big South) rolls into town
for a 3:30 pm ET television game in Spangler Stadium
(MASN/Mid-Atlantic Sports Network). The Flames belted Coastal
Carolina two weeks ago, and put up 73 points in a win over VMI
Saturday afternoon.
