Gardner-Webb Battles Past VMI, 27-23, To Win Big South Conference Opener Saturday
October 04, 2009 | Football
LEXINGTON, Va. - Patrick Hall scored two fourth quarter touchdowns, and Gardner-Webb's defense held inside the 10-yard line on four consecutive plays as time expired to win 27-23 at VMI Saturday.
Gardner-Webb (3-1, 1-0 Big South) led 10-9 at halftime, but found
itself down 23-13 with 11 seconds left in the third quarter when
Tim Maypray sidestepped two tackles and went 86 yards on a punt
return for the Keydets (1-3, 0-1 Big South).
The Runnin' Bulldogs responded however, taking the ensuing drive 75
yards on 11 plays - capped by Hall's one-yard rumble around the
right side to trim the lead to 23-20 with 11:08 left on the game
clock.
The GWU defense stepped up from there. Tackle Matt Goods pounced on
a Kyle Hughes fumble at the VMI 24-yard line on the Keydets' second
play from scrimmage following Hall's first score, and Hall capped a
quick scoring drive from three yards out with 8:33 left in the game
- giving Gardner-Webb a 27-23 lead that would stand.
"I was very pleased with our guys' effort today, they didn't quit
and played until the final horn," said GWU head coach Steve Patton.
"We said coming in that we needed to move the chains on offense and
try to control the clock, and we did that today. We moved the
football well when we had to, and made some plays. Our defense was
able to get us off the field on third down most of the day, which
was crucial. This is a big win for us on the road, especially in
Big South play."
VMI pushed its way into GWU territory, driving to the Bulldog 31
after converting a pair of short third downs and a fourth down play
near midfield. Hughes' first-down pass to the goal line was
intercepted by Darren Rogers, however, thwarting a Keydets' chance
to go in front.
Starting at its own two-yard line, Gardner-Webb needed to move the
chains with 4:01 on the clock. Philip Peoples answered the bell,
rumbling 37 yards on first down to give the 'Dogs a first down near
midfield to give some needed breathing room. VMI was able to stop
GWU shy of another first down, however, and disaster nearly struck
the 'Dogs on fourth down.
Graham Purvis' punt was blocked by Greg Walker, but took a
fortunate bounce for the 'Dogs to keep VMI from a chance at
recovering. Rogers picked up the football and tried to advance, but
was tackled for no gain at the Gardner-Webb 32-yard line - leaving
VMI with 1:03 to try for a win.
Hughes completed a key fourth-down pass to set VMI up with a first
and goal at the GWU nine with 38 seconds left. Rogers was key again
in protecting the Bulldog endzone, batting away a Hughes pass near
the goal line on second down. Hughes missed on a pass to T.J.
Talley on third down, and his fourth down toss to the end zone as
time expired was over a well-covered Maypray's head.
Gardner-Webb fell behind 9-0 early, but rallied back. A bad snap on
the team's first drive forced Purvis to wisely take a safety for a
2-0 Keydet lead - and VMI used a 31-yard fake punt two drives later
to spark a 10-play, 80-yard drive that culminated in a six-yard
touchdown run by Maypray with three seconds left in the opening
stanza.
Doolittle heated up on Gardner-Webb's next drive, leading his squad
on a 15-play, 82-yard march that was capped by a two-yard touchdown
to James Perry III with 6:38 to play before the half.
The GWU defense stepped up to key the go-ahead drive, as Mario
Brown recovered a fumble to thwart a VMI drive to the Bulldogs'
19-yard line. Doolittle led another scoring drive, this time capped
by Ryan Gates' 36-yard field goal with 46 seconds left on the
clock.
The Runnin' Bulldogs stuffed VMI immediately out of the locker room
to start the third quarter, and drove inside the Keydets' five-yard
line. VMI survived the advance, as Gates' second field goal chance
was off the mark.
Hughes struck on a play-action fake, hitting Mario Scott on a
44-yard touchdown pass down the left sideline to put VMI back in
front 16-10. Gates responded with a 44-yard field goal to trim the
lead to 16-13, setting up Maypray's big punt return and
Gardner-Webb's fourth-quarter rally.
The 'Dogs raced to 416 yards of total offense, converted 8-of-17
third down chances, forced four turnovers and had 26 first downs in
helping forge a crucial possession advantage on the clock (32:32 to
27:28).
Doolittle completed 32-of-51 passes for 301 yards and a score, and
rushed 12 times for 40 yards on a 341-yard total offense afternoon.
Perry hauled in a career-best 11 passes for 139 yards and a score,
and Peoples led the ground game with 70 yards on 12 carries.
Gardner-Webb contained the VMI rushing attack, holding the Keydets
to 187 yards, nearly 40 yards below their season average and to
less than 300 yards of total offense. The Bulldogs'
highly-decorated linebacking corps led the way with 24 combined
hits. Jeffery Williams led the charge with nine tackles, Marty
Patterson had eight and Brown had seven.
Rogers had six tackles, a tackle for loss, a pass break up and an interception in a strong game at safety, and Goods continued his strong play in the middle with six stops, a tackle for loss and a key fumble recovery for the 'Dogs.
Gardner-Webb hits the road again next week, traveling to Football
Bowl Subdivision (FBS) member Buffalo at 3:30 pm ET on October
10.
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