GWU Tops VMI, 10-7, In Season Finale Saturday Afternoon
November 20, 2010 | Football
BOILING SPRINGS - Gardner-Webb intercepted four passes and got a 27-yard touchdown pass from Chandler Browning to James Perry with 10:55 to play Saturday to rally past VMI, 10-7.
The win was the eighth in a row for Gardner-Webb (4-7, 2-4) over VMI (3-8, 2-4), and followed the script of the previous seven meetings - which were decided by an average of 7.8 points.
The Runnin' Bulldogs entered the game ranked fifth nationally in passing defense, and picked off two passes in the end zone to thwart deep VMI drives in the first quarter. The third GWU interception set up the first score of the game, as Ryan Gates followed that turnover with a 31-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 10:44 to play before halftime.
Gardner-Webb came out of the locker room and tried to catch VMI off guard with an onside kick, but the Keydets recovered and drove quickly to take the lead, as Adam Morgan found Tracy Hairston open on a 31-yard touchdown pass to cap a 43-yard drive and give the visitors a 7-3 edge.
With both teams struggling to mount an offensive surge, Gardner-Webb caught the break it needed with just over 11 minutes to play in the game. The Keydets' Morgan attempted a screen pass near the line of scrimmage, and Evan Short came up with a diving interception in the congested middle to set the 'Dogs up with possession at the VMI 27.
Perry took the game into his own hands, literally, on first down, leaping to haul in Browning's pass in the left corner of the end zone - battling over two VMI defenders for the go-ahead score. Gates' 66th consecutive extra point made the score 10-7, and came from 30 yards away after a holding penalty on the initial try.
The Gardner-Webb defense would hold from there, as Preston Pemasa and Cedric McGowan teamed up on a sack on the ensuing first down for VMI, eventually forcing a punt. After taking 3:13 off the clock before its next drive stalled, Gardner-Webb got a 55-yard punt from Bo Lindsey to pin the Keydets back inside the 20.
VMI drove near midfield, but a fumble on second and inches resulted in a six-yard loss and two-straight incomplete passes gave Gardner-Webb the football on downs with 2:33 remaining.
Gardner-Webb was stopped on third down, but Browning's sneak on fourth and inches gave the 'Dogs the first down they needed to run out the clock.
Jeffery Williams paced the GWU defense in his final game, registering a team-high 11 stops and an interception. Pemasa finished with 10 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in a fine overall effort - and Brian Wittenberger finished with nine hits (five solo). McGowan's final game saw him finish with six total hits (five solo), 1.5 sacks and a pass break up.
Short, Gianni Olivas and Chris James also had interceptions for GWU, which limited VMI to 271 yards and 4.2 yards per play.
GWU had just 218 yards offensively, but converted several key third downs in the second half. Browning went the distance at quarterback, completing 17-of-31 passes for 159 yards a touchdown and two interceptions. Hall led the rushing attack with 46 yards on 17 carries, and Perry hauled in eight passes for 78 yards and his score.
VMI got 66 yards on 15 carries from Chaz Jones and 63 yards on 17 carries from Gabe Itoka to pace its offense. Morgan came off the bench to complete 10-of-19 passes for 117 yards and a score (two interceptions), and starter Cameron Jones went 3-for-7 with a pair of picks and 28 yards early on in the game.
A.J. Gross led the Keydets' defensively, collecting 13 total stops (six solo). Ben Brandt added six stops and two quarterback pressures. Byron Allen and Greg Walker had interceptions, with Walker also breaking up three passes - including one in the end zone.
| Box Score (PDF) |
