Four GWU Players Earn Big South Weekly Football Awards
September 13, 2010 | Football
CHARLOTTE - James Perry III (offense), Bryce Nixon (defense),
Ryan Gates (special teams) and Juanne Blount (freshman) each earned
top weekly honors from the Big South Conference on Monday.
Perry (Greensboro, N.C. / Dudley HS) was named Choice Hotels
Co-Offensive Player of the Week after a spectacular afternoon in
Gardner-Webb's 38-37 win at Akron.
The 6-0, 182-pound receiver hauled in 10 passes for 125 yards
and two touchdowns, with each of his touchdowns keying the Runnin'
Bulldogs from a 31-17 deficit in the second half. Perry's first
score came from four yards away - a diving catch that cut the lead
to 31-24 with 18 seconds left in the third quarter. His final
score was from 13 yards out to help tie the game with just 5:05
remaining in regulation In overtime, Perry accounted for 16 of the
25 yards gained, as he rushed seven yards for a first down and
hauled in a nine-yard catch that set-up Gardner-Webb's final
scoring play.
Perry moved into ninth place on Gardner-Webb's career
receptions list, and now has 130 catches in less than three
seasons. He ranks eight in Big South history in that same
category.
Nixon (Ellenwood, Ga. / Martin Luther King HS) was perhaps the
game's biggest factor, on either side of the football. Blessed with
great size for his cornerback position (6-0, 186), Nixon finished
with nine total tackles (eight solo), a pass break up, a fumble
recovery and a key block of a PAT.
Nixon's PBU in the end zone came with the score tied at 31-31
with less than 30 seconds to play in regulation. Earlier in the
fourth quarter, Nixon pounced on a loose ball at the GWU four-yard
line that halted an Akron drive and preserved the tie score with
2:46 remaining. After the Zips scored a touchdown on their first
overtime possession, Nixon came around the left edge and blocked
the PAT attempt to give the Runnin' Bulldogs a chance for the
win.
Gates (Sharpsburg, Ga. / East Coweta HS) was perfect on all
six of his place kicks Saturday at Akron, going 5-of-5 on PATs and
making his lone field goal attempt from 40 yards out - his first
field goal attempt in six games, dating back to last season. He
also had a touchdown-saving tackle on a kickoff return near
midfield with GWU trailing 31-24 in the third quarter.
Gates finished with eight points scored and his PAT kick in
overtime provided the winning margin to mark Gardner-Webb's and the
Big South Conference 's first-ever win over an FBS program. Gates
became just the fifth player in Big South history to reach the
30-field goal mark, and has scored 164 career points - which ranks
10th in Gardner-Webb history.
Blount (Wingate, N.C. / Forest Hills HS) made his first start
in just his second collegiate game, and again filled in nicely for
injured All-Big South back Patrick Hall.
The 5-foot-9, 185-pounder rushed for a team-high 69 yards and
scored the game-tying touchdown in overtime. Blount had a 15-yard
burst in the first quarter that led to an eventual Gardner-Webb
field goal, and later bulled into the end zone from four yards out
on third down to tie the score at 37-37, setting up the historic
victory.
This season, Blount ranks No. 16 nationally with his 101.5
yards per game on the ground, and is the No. 3 freshman runner in
the country among FCS programs heading into the third week of the
season.
Gardner-Webb will host Western Carolina on Saturday evening at
6:00 on Coach Norman Harris Field at Ernest W. Spangler Stadium. A
Pre-Game Street Party will be held from 4-6 pm between the practice
soccer field and the visitor's side of the stadium. Local band
Freeway South will provide music.
Fatz Cafe' of Shelby will be selling Rib Plates that include:
Baby Back Ribs, Grilled Chicken Breast, Baked Beans, Slaw, Rolls,
Banana Pudding, and Tea. Orders placed by September 16 are $10
each. Orders on game day are $12 each. To place an order, call
(704) 406-2586 or place your order online at
www.supportgwu.com.
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