'Dogs Fall 30-27 To Coastal Carolina In Overtime Clash
October 30, 2010 | Football
BOILING SPRINGS - Coastal Carolina's Zach MacDowall countered a Gardner-Webb field goal in overtime with an eight-yard run to lift the Chanticleers to a 30-27 win in Spangler Stadium.
Gardner-Webb (3-5, 1-2 Big South) trailed 24-17 with 2:23 left in regulation, but marched 88 yards on 13 plays to tie the game, 24-24, on John Rock's seven-yard scoring strike to Jamal Patmon in the back of the end zone with just 28 seconds remaining.
Coastal Carolina (3-5, 2-1 Big South) chose to play defense first after winning the toss in overtime and held Gardner-Webb to a 20-yard field goal after the 'Dogs had three plays inside the 10-yard line - and two from the two-yard line.
After an incompletion, MacDowall took over with his legs. The senior dropped a shotgun snap on second down, but picked up the bounce and dashed 17 yards around the right side to the GWU eight then - on first and goal - darted into the end zone to end the game.
Gardner-Webb used a stifling run defense to take a 10-7 lead into halftime, limiting Coastal to just one yard rushing on 14 attempts. Juanne Blount's three-yard touchdown run with 36 seconds left in the second quarter provided the cushion.
Coastal Carolina tied the score, 10-10, with 5:42 left in the third quarter when Justin Durham connected on a 26-yard field goal. Gardner-Webb wasted little time going back in front, however, as Gianni Olivas picked off a MacDowall pass deep in CCU territory - and Rock found James "Pork Chop" Dugas down the seam for a 24-yard scoring pass and a 17-10 lead with 3:15 left in the quarter.
The Chants drove deep behind MacDowall's passing on the ensuing drive, but Olivas snuffed out a scoring chance with his second interception - this time at his own 10-yard line.
As the fourth quarter started, Gardner-Webb seemed in control of the game, but Dominique Davenport stepped in front of a Rock pass over the middle, and returned the interception 28 yards for a score and the Chants sat tied with Gardner-Webb, 17-17, with 13:45 left in the game.
A fumbled punt snap by Gardner-Webb set up the Chants' go-ahead score, as the visitors took over at the GWU 29 after the miscue. Five plays later, Jeremy Height barreled in from the three to give Coastal Carolina a 24-17 lead with 9:33 to play.
Both team's traded possession until Gardner-Webb took over after a punt at its own 12-yard line - and Rock engineered the game-tying drive. The redshirt sophomore was 6-of-12 for 87 yards on the drive.
Gardner-Webb finished with 372 yards offensively, with Rock completing 21-of-37 passes for 275 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Blount led the rushing attack with 106 yards and a score on 34 carries, and caught two passes for 10 yards out of the backfield.
James Perry III led the receiving corps with seven catches for 117 yards and tight end Josh Miller added five grabs for 43 yards.
Brian Wittenberger (11 tackles), Jordan Woods (10 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks) and Dami Teniola (nine tackles) led the Gardner-Webb defensive effort.
Coastal Carolina registered 292 yards of total offense, with MacDowall completing 16-of-28 passes for 205 yards and a score and ran for 31 more yards and a score. The Chants managed just 119 yards on the ground. Eric O'Neal had 15 carries for 24 yards to follow MacDowall on the ground and led the receiving effort with four catches for 25 yards.
Desmond Steward led the tackling sheet for the Chants with 13 hits, Andrae Jacobs and Marcus Lott had 12 each and Davenport and Jamel Davis each had 11.
Gardner-Webb will hit the road next week to face #12 Liberty at 3:30 pm in Lynchburg, Va. Coastal Carolina travels to play VMI in Lexington, Va.
| Box Score (PDF) |
