CHARLOTTE – Gardner-Webb junior running back Philip Peoples and sophomore linebacker Jeffrey Williams were both honored Monday by the Big South Conference for their performances in the Bulldogs' rout of Presbyterian.

Peoples was named the Big South's Choice Hotels Offensive Player of the Week after the best game of his career. The 6-0, 215-pounder rumbled for 176 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, averaging 11.7 yards per attempt. His seven-yard scoring run in the first quarter opened up the scoring in what would grow to a 30-0 halftime lead for Gardner-Webb, and his 67-yard sprint in the third quarter was the longest run from scrimmage for a Bulldog this year.

The Atlanta, Ga., native leads Gardner-Webb and ranks fourth in the Big South with 505 yards and four touchdowns this season on 95 carries (5.3 ypc). Peoples has carried 209 times for 996 yards and nine career touchdowns during his time in Boiling Springs.

Williams was named the Big South's New Balance Defensive Player of the Week after a career-high effort himself. The 6-0, 221-pound linebacker registered a career-high 18 tackles (11 solo) and picked off a pair of first half passes to help Gardner-Webb to a commanding 30-0 lead. The Frisco City, Ala., native added a tackle for loss in the game as well – and was key in GWU forcing six Presbyterian turnovers (four interceptions) in the game.

Williams, the 2007 Big South Freshman of the Year, leads Gardner-Webb's defense with 62 total tackles (32 solo) and leads the league with 8.9 tackles per game. He has started all 18 games played during his career at Gardner-Webb, and has made 182 career stops (10.1 hits per game).

Gardner-Webb snapped a three-game losing streak with its win Saturday, and rolled to a season-high 514 yards of total offense in the process (321 rushing yards). The 47 points scored was the team's best output on the scoreboard since a 66-6 win last Nov. 3 over Savannah State.

The Bulldogs will now turn their attention to a very stiff test, hosting the nation's top rushing offense when VMI comes to town for a 1:30 pm ET kickoff on Saturday. The Keydets (3-3, 1-0 Big South) are averaging 356.5 yards on the ground this season, and 436.9 yards of total offense. VMI, under first year head coach Sparky Woods, are scoring 38.2 ppg and are coming off a bye week.

OTHER TOP BULLDOG PERFORMERS
True freshman bandit Jordan Woods (6-3, 225) was outstanding as well Saturday vs. Presbyterian, collecting 11 total tackles (six solo), 2.0 tackles for loss, a sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. The former West Charlotte (N.C.) High standout has 28 hits and a team-high 2.0 sacks on the season, and leads the Big South Conference with three forced fumbles.

Senior receiver Dobson Collins (6-2, 188) caught five passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns in the first half Saturday, and finished with six catches for the Bulldogs. The Stone Mountain, Ga., standout has hauled in 22 passes for 307 yards and three scores in the team's past three games – and ranks No. 15 nationally this season with 44 catches for 519 yards and five touchdowns in 2008.

True freshman safety Lyndrez Leslie (6-1, 197) and sophomore linebacker Oluwadamilola Teniola (5-11, 220) each recorded career-high totals on defense Saturday. Leslie, making his third start in a row, had 11 total tackles and a pass break up. He has 25 total tackles on the season. Teniola finished with 10 hits (five solo) and a half tackle for loss in the win – and has a career-high 51 tackles on the season.

Senior safety Daniel Cooke (6-1, 200) scored his first career touchdown, and the first non-offensive touchdown of the season for Gardner-Webb Saturday. The Charlotte, N.C., native returned an interception 72 yards for a score in the third quarter vs. Presbyterian. Cooke has 33 tackles and two interceptions this season. He has started 38 consecutive games for GWU.