GWU Gridders To Host Coastal Carolina Saturday In Crucial Big South Matchup
November 06, 2008 | Football
BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb will face perhaps its most
critical test of the season so far on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 3:30 pm,
when Coastal Carolina rolls into Spangler Stadium.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (5-4, 2-1 Big South) are riding the wave of a
three-game win streak, but will face a dangerous Coastal Carolina
squad (4-5, 0-3 Big South) that is coming off a coveted bye week
and has never lost a game in Boiling Springs.
During its current three-game win streak, Gardner-Webb has seen its
offense explode to the tune of 483.3 yards and 38.3 points per
game. GWU has racked up an average of 23 first downs per game
during that stretch, doing a solid job of controlling the clock and
moving chains despite putting the ball in the air more often.
Redshirt senior quarterback Devin Campbell (6-4, 196) has been both
consistent and spectacular for the ‘Dogs, completing 77-of-110
passes for 979 yards and eight touchdowns in three starts to pace
Gardner-Webb's effort offensively. Dobson Collins (22 catches, 301
yards, 5 TD) and James Perry III (14 catches, 220 yards, TD) have
been the favorite targets for Campbell, but the veteran has spread
the football around liberally. In each of the past two games –
both league wins – Campbell has completed passes to nine
different receivers. A total of 12 men have caught passes in the
last three games combined.
While the pass has been Gardner-Webb's most noticeable vehicle for
moving the ball, the ‘Dogs have seen Philip Peoples step up as
the main rushing threat. The 6-0, 215-pound bruiser has carried 35
times for 258 yards and three scores in three games, averaging 7.3
yards per attempt and 84.7 yards per game.
Defensively, GWU has bent somewhat from its early season
stinginess, but has played hard when stops were needed –
particularly in the fourth quarter at Stony Brook. Linebackers
Jeffrey Williams, Marty Patterson and Oluwadamilola Teniola have
continued their consistent tackling over the past two games, with
the 6-0, 221-pound Williams taking his production to another level
with 46 hits in three games (90 on the season).
The Bulldog defense will face perhaps the Big South's most
explosive quarterback Saturday in Coastal Carolina's Zach MacDowell
(6-2, 210, RSo.). The Wake Forest transfer has passed for 12
touchdowns and more than 1,500 yards after taking over the starting
role for the Chants, and has the mobility to provide major problems
in and out of the pocket. In a 28-24 loss to Stony Brook, MacDowell
passed for 306 yards and rushed for an additional 80, nearly
helping CCU overcome four turnovers at home.
A talented stable of running backs will help balance the Chants
attack, with Arthur Sitton, Jamie Fordham and Eric O'Neal each
capable of 100-plus yard games.
The Coastal Carolina defense ranks first in the league in pass
defense, and No. 25 nationally, and as a unit annually boasts one
of the conference's best pass rushes. The Chants secondary is
hobbled, with starters Marrio Norman and Dominique Davenport out
for the season with injuries, but has a pair of athletic
cornerbacks that each stands at least 6-0 tall. D.J. Rice (6-0,
235) paces the linebacker corps for Coastal Carolina.
Saturday's game will be broadcast live on MASN (DirecTV and Dish
Network) at 3:30 pm ET, and will air on SportSouth via tape delay
at 7 pm. ESPN360.com will also carry the contest live.
