Turnovers Costly For Gardner-Webb In 27-9 Loss At VMI
November 09, 2013 | Football
The Runnin' Bulldogs (5-5, 0-3 Big South) dropped to 0-3 in the Big South for the first time since beginning league play in 2002 and lost for the fourth time in their last five games. VMI (2-8, 1-4 Big South) avoided its first winless league season since 2006 and picked up its first Division I win of the season Saturday.
A low snap turned disastrous for the visitor's as VMI's Weston Reber recovered the loose ball in the end zone for an early 7-0 advantage with 9:19 left in the first quarter. It was the first miscue of an unfortunate first half for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Juanne Blount was stripped on Gardner-Webb's next offensive possession, giving VMI the ball at the 29-yard line. The GWU defense held for a 39-yard field goal, but the Keydets had a 10-0 lead that would not get under double digits the rest of the day.
A fumble recovery and return by Gardner-Webb's Chad Geter appeared to budge momentum late in the first, but the offense lost a half yard on the ensuing four play drive and settled for Jordan Day's 32-yard field goal to trim the lead to 10-3 with a minute left in the first.
Penalties and sacks halted Gardner-Webb's first drive of the second quarter and a costly interception gave VMI the football back two drives later at midfield. The Keydets marched 50 yards for a 17-3 lead.
Gardner-Webb drove 75 yards on its next offensive possession - and appeared ready to cut the lead to a single score - but Demarcus White fumbled at the one and the ball was recovered by VMI for a touchback with less than a minute to play before halftime.
VMI got a 52-yard field goal from Dillon Christopher in the third quarter to go up 20-3 and took a 27-3 lead on a 26-yard hookup from A.J. Augustine to Sam Patterson with 1:38 remaining in the third quarter. That point in the game marked Gardner-Webb's largest deficit against a VMI team in football since the two started playing in 2003.
A long kickoff return by J.J. Hubbard put Gardner-Webb in good shape inside the VMI 45, but the Runnin' Bulldogs stalled on a fourth down play at the Keydets' 36 - the third of three consecutive incomplete passes.
Another interception nearly resulted in another VMI touchdown early in the fourth quarter, but a premature whistle on the return blew the play dead. The Keydets took over at the GWU 36-yard line and moved inside the red zone before stalling and missing a 30-yard field goal.
Blount finally got into the end zone for the 'Dogs, punching in from four yards out with 2:09 to play in the game - but the two-point conversion attempt was off the mark to leave Gardner-Webb in single digits at 27-9. An onside kick attempt was recovered by VMI, and the Keydets picked up a pair of first downs before punting.
Chandler Browning drove the Runnin' Bulldogs down to the VMI 31-yard line, but could not get his squad any closer before the final horn sounded.
VMI managed just 209 yards (99 passing) and 12 first downs, but took full advantage of Gardner-Webb's five turnovers. The Runnin' Bulldogs were penalized a season-high 13 times for 85 yards, with several coming in key situations.
GWU finished with 295 total yards, with the majority coming in the fourth quarter. Kenny Cook was tough to cover again, catching a career-high 12 passes for 133 yards. Beatty completed 17-of-33 passes for 136 yards and two interceptions and Browning came off the bench to connect on 9-of-14 passes for 101 yards in the fourth quarter.
Blount finished with 61 yards and a score on 16 carries, with no other Runnin' Bulldog rushing for more than 13 yards.
Shaquille Riddick led a solid defensive effort by GWU, collecting eight total tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a sack. Preston Pemasa added seven hits and 2.0 sacks. Chad Geter and Arlando Griffin also had sacks, with Gardner-Webb collecting five on the day and catching the Keydets behind the line nine times. Ivan Toomer broke up a pair of passes.
GWU played the first half without Tanner Burch (six tackles) and Griffin, who were both missing following a targeting foul call against Warner last weekend.
VMI got 94 yards and a score on 20 carries from Ziglar and consistently took advantage of their opportunities when they were presented.
Reber finished with eight tackles, a sack and the fumble recovery for a touchdown. The Keydets had three sacks in the game and posted six tackles for loss to go with five forced turnovers.
Gardner-Webb returns home for its Senior Day game next weekend, hosting #16 Charleston Southern at 1:30 pm at Spangler Stadium. The Bucs improved to 10-1 on the season with a 31-26 win over 3rd-ranked Coastal Carolina on Saturday afternoon.
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