GWU Falls To Presbyterian, 26-24, Saturday On Homecoming
October 23, 2010 | Football
BOILING SPRINGS - Cam Miller's 31-yard field goal with 2:24 remaining proved to be the game winner, as Presbyterian topped Gardner-Webb, 26-24, Saturday afternoon.
The win for Presbyterian (1-6, 1-2 Big South) snapped the nation's longest losing streak in the Football Championship Subdivision at 20 games and spoiled Homecoming for the Runnin' Bulldogs (3-4, 2-1 Big South).
After Miller's field goal, Gardner-Webb started a drive on its own 34, but John Rock was sacked twice - on first down and third down - and was intercepted on fourth-and-19 by Justin Bethel. Presbyterian then took a knee on two plays to run out the clock and win for the first time since November 1, 2008 against Liberty.
Gardner-Webb jumped out to a 7-0 lead quickly to start the game, driving 65 yards on just seven plays. Rock capped the scoring march with a one-yard sneak at the 11:59 mark in the first quarter. Neither team produced many chances the rest of the quarter, until Myron Gary darted into the end zone for the Blue Hose from 13 yards away to tie the score at the 3:15 mark.
Presbyterian took its first lead with 14:39 to play in the second quarter, and kept that 10-7 lead into halftime.
The Gardner-Webb defense came up with a big play early in the third quarter, as Preston Pemasa stripped Gary and recovered the fumble inside the PC 10-yard line. A penalty moved the ball back to the 21, but Patrick Hall carried over the left side for an eight-yard score to give the 'Dogs a 14-10 lead with 13:31 to play in the third.
Presbyterian was determined to stay in the game, however, and drove 78 yards on eight plays to regain the lead on Trandon Dendy's 1-yard plunge at the 7:05 mark. Backfield mate Lance Byrd had the big play in the drive, bursting around right end for 33 yards to set up first down at the GWU three.
Hall would answer, carrying four times on the ensuing drive and putting GWU up 21-17 on a two-yard scoring run less than three minutes later (3:53).
Presbyterian and Gardner-Webb traded punts on the next two series, but an eight-yard punt by the Runnin' Bulldogs set the Blue Hose up with excellent field position at the home team's 23-yard line. A pass interference call on third down put Presbyterian in great shape at the 12-yard line and on second down, Gary fumbled the snap - but picked up the loose ball and scrambled into the end zone on the broken play for a 23-21 lead with 12:54 left. Miller missed the extra point, leaving the visitors with a precarious two-point lead.
Hall again proved to be a workhorse to get Gardner-Webb inside the PC five-yard line, but was lost to an injury on a first-and-goal run and the Blue Hose stepped up to force a field goal. Ryan Gates' 21-yarder put the 'Dogs in front 24-23 with 6:46 left.
A kickoff return to the GWU 49-yard line put the Blue Hose back in business, and Dendy barreled for a combined 28 yards on the next four plays from scrimmage and the Blue Hose drove as deep as the GWU 16 before settling on Miller's 31-yard game winner.
The loss spoiled a career-best day for Hall, who carried 21 times for a career-high 137 yards and two touchdowns.
The team rushing total was hampered severely by nine sacks and 63 yards lost, as the Presbyterian defense had more on Saturday (nine) than in its previous six games of the 2010 season (six).
Gardner-Webb finished with 269 total yards, with Rock completing 12-of-20 passes for 154 yards and one interception.
Presbyterian finished with 290 yards offensively, rushing for 167 yards and passing for 123. Dendy ran for 70 yards and a score on 17 carries and Byrd added 38. Gary, making his second start in a row, passed for 111 yards and ran for 38 and two scores. Dendy also caught a pair of passes for 31 yards.
CeeJay Harris led the Blue Hose defense with 12 hits and Derek Brown had 10. Brian Davis was the star on that side of the ball, collecting eight tackles (six solo), four tackles for loss and three sacks.
Preston Pemasa had a career-high 10 tackles (seven solo) and two tackles for loss. Brian Wittenberger added a career-high 10 tackles and a sack.
Gardner-Webb remains at home next week, hosting Coastal Carolina at 1:30 pm on Saturday, October 30.
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