GWU Sputters In Opener, Falls 28-12 To Tennessee Tech
August 28, 2008 | Football
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech sprinted to a 22-3 lead
midway through the second quarter Thursday night, and cruised to a
28-12 win over Gardner-Webb in both teams' season opener.
The game's outcome boiled down to decisively different stories for
both teams in the red zone. Tech (1-0) converted its first four
visits into 23 points. Gardner-Webb (0-1) was just 1-for-4 in the
same number of opportunities for three point, until its final score
of the game with just over three minutes to play.
Gardner-Webb saw the yellow flag play an unfortunate role in
several key drive stalls. On three of the Bulldogs' drives inside
the 20-yard line, penalties erased crucial progress and kept GWU
off the scoreboard.
A handful of untimely penalties also helped Tech keep scoring
drives alive – including its first.
Quarterback Lee Sweeney hooked up with Tim Benford on an opening
score from 11 yards out for a 7-0 lead with 3:28 to play in the
opening quarter and – after a 41-yard field goal from GWU
freshman Ryan Gates trimmed the lead – Sweeney connected on
two long passes to set up a four-yard scoring run by Henry Sailes
for a 13-3 edge with 9:24 to go before the break.
Things went awry for Gardner-Webb from there, as a botched punt
snap resulted in safety and – after the free kick –
Sweeney drove Tech downfield for another score, punching in himself
on a sneak from the one for a 22-3 edge with 2:51 remaining before
halftime.
Gardner-Webb drove to the Golden Eagles' two-yard line on the
ensuing drive, but stalled and was left with an 18-yard field goal
by Gates for the halftime margin.
GWU twice drove inside Tennessee Tech's 20-yard line to start the
third quarter, but were turned away both times. The Golden Eagles
padded their lead with a 37-yard field goal early in the fourth
quarter, taking a 25-6 lead with 13:35 left in the game.
The Runnin' Bulldogs finally punched a score in with 5:52 remaining
in the game, as Philip Peoples scored from one yard out to cap a
six-play, 25-yard drive – and making the score 25-12.
An onside kick was fruitless for the ‘Dogs, and Justin Kraemer
squeaked a 39-yard field goal just over the uprights for a 28-12
Tennessee Tech lead with 3:05 remaining in the game.
Gardner-Webb made a push into enemy territory with just over two
minutes left, but lost the ball on downs with less than a minute
left – allowing Tech to run out the clock.
The Runnin' Bulldogs out-gained the hosts, but managed just 280
total yards to Tech's 262. Stan Doolittle completed 28-of-41 passes
for a career-high 235 yards, hitting Dobson Collins (8 catches, 67
yards) and Tre Perry (7 catches, 68 yards) for several nice
gains.
GWU rushed for only 45 yards in the game, with Peoples carrying
nine times for 41 yards and a score.
Sweeney was 19-of-of-31 for 199 yards and a score to pace the home
team, while Sailes caught 10 passes out of the backfield and rushed
for 26 yards and a touchdown.
Oluwadamilola Teniola paced Gardner-Webb defensively with nine
stops in his first career start. Jeffrey Williams, Mario Brown and
Quinnon Isom each had seven tackles for the Bulldogs. Maurice Smith
had 14 hits and broke up three passes for Tennessee Tech.
Gardner-Webb hosts Division II member Tusculum next Saturday (Sept.
6) at 6 pm ET in its home opener.
| Tennessee Tech 28, GWU 12 |
