GAME NOTES: Gardner-Webb Opens Big South Play Saturday At Liberty
October 22, 2014 | Football
THE GAME
Gardner-Webb begins Big South Conference play in Lynchburg, Va., Saturday afternoon, taking on league powerhouse Liberty. Kickoff is set for 3:30 pm in Williams Stadium, and will be broadcast live on ESPN3 (WatchESPN.com), with Mike Hogewood and Renaldo Wynn calling the action. The game will also be broadcast on wgwg.org, with Fabian Fuentes handling the call.
SERIES NOTES
Liberty leads the overall series with Gardner-Webb, 11-8-1, and has won seven in a row ... GWU's last win came on a late field goal in Lynchburg in 2006 ... Last season marked only the second shutout in 21 meetings, with both coming since 2007 and both in Boiling Springs ... Gardner-Webb won five out of six meetings from 2001-2006 ... The Flames have scored at least 30 points in the series six out of seven years ... Gardner-Webb jumped out to a 28-10 lead in the last meeting in Lynchburg (Oct. 6, 2012), before the Flames ralled late for a 42-35 win.
THE HEAD COACHES
Gardner-Webb head coach Carroll McCray (Class of '83) returned to his alma mater in 2013 and has forged an 11-8 record so far in his time in Boiling Springs. Liberty head coach Turner Gill is in his third season in charge of the Flames and has gone 18-12 during that span. Gill quarterbacked several great Nebraska teams during his collegiate career under legendary coach Tom Osborne.
BANGED UP
The injury list has been long for Gardner-Webb in 2014. All-Big South linebackers Tanner Burch and Chad Geter are each out for the season and offensive starters Ashanti McPhee (OL), David Sutton (OL) and Juanne Blount (RB) each missed the VMI game. All told, Gardner-Webb has lost 117 combined quarters of action from starters in 2014, with 63 of those coming from All-Big South Conference selections.
THE CHEF
All-America receiver and Walter Payton Award candidate Kenny Cook (6-4, 218, RSr.) whipped up an award-winning performance in Lexington, Va., in the win over VMI, catching a career-best 12 passes for a Gardner-Webb, Big South and facility record 251 yards. He had two touchdown catches, including a career-long 80-yarder and the game winner – which came on a 25-yard reception in the second overtime. Cook was honored as Choice Hotels Big South Offensive Player of the Week, Sports Network FCS National Co-Offensive Player of the Week and as College Football Performance Awards FCS Receiver of the Week for his efforts. Cook now leads the team with 37 catches for 511 yards and four touchdowns – despite missing two full games and 10 total quarters earlier this year with an injury.
SOUS CHEF
Outside linebacker Aaron Cook (6-1, 218, So.) has emerged as Gardner-Webb's top performer at the position with All-Big South running mates Chad Geter and Tanner Burch sidelined. Cook led Gardner-Webb with nine total hits at The Citadel (9/27) and had his best game to date in the win over Wofford. He that victory with a career-best 13 total tackles (six solo) – and made six of those stops on special teams. Cook added 2.0 tackles for loss (minus-9 yards), despite playing logging double duty at injured Chad Geter's Spur position. So far this season, Cook leads the team with a career-best 49 tackles and has added 5.0 tackles for loss, a sack and two pass break ups. His sack in overtime at VMI proved critical to stopping the Keydets on their final drive.
AIR BEATTY
Quarterback Lucas Beatty (6-2, 210, RSr.) has enjoyed the return of his favorite target, but has distributed the pigskin well to his entire receiving corps over the past four weeks. The Charlotte, N.C., native was an honorable mention FCS Quarterback Performer of the Week (CFPA) after the win at VMI, where he completed 25-of-42 passes for a Big South-record 430 yards and five touchdowns. Over the past four games, Beatty has completed 108-of-157 passes (68.7%) for 1,305 yards, 10 touchdowns and just two interceptions and has rushed for two more touchdowns. The quartet of games combined is the best four-game stretch of Beatty's career to date. Beatty now sits second on the Big South's all-time passing list with 7,224 yards and is fourth in Gardner-Webb history in that same category. Beatty's last trip to Williams Stadium in Lynchburg was memorable, as he hit on 16-of-17 passes for 301 yards and a touchdown in the first half – helping GWU build a 21-10 lead at the break.
HUBBARD TO THE HOUSE
Gardner-Webb return ace J.J. Hubbard (5-7, 168, Sr.) swung momentum quickly in his team's favor in the win over Charlotte (10/4), taking a kickoff back 95 yards to give the Runnin' Bulldogs a 7-3 lead. Hubbard wound up with four kickoff returns for 144 yards, adding a 26-yard return later in the game that set his team up near midfield. Hubbard's touchdown return was the third of his career, tying him for the Big South Conference all-time mark with two other return men. The Tampa, Fla., native ranks No. 7 among active FCS career leaders in combined kick returns, No. 4 in career return touchdowns and return yards per game – and No. 14 in all divisions of NCAA football in kickoff return touchdowns. Hubbard has returned 92 career kickoffs for 2,137 yards (23.2 yards per return) and has totaled 3,199 career all-purpose yards with 12 total touchdowns (5 rushing, 4 receiving, 3 kickoff return). He earned All-Big South honors as a kickoff and punt return specialist in 2012 and is heavily in the mix for those same honors as a senior in 2014.
MAU WOW
Preseason Buck Buchanan Award Watch List member and All-America nose guard O.J. Mau (6-2, 308, Jr.) has gotten off to a strong start to his 2014 season, collecting 38 total tackles, a team-leading 8.0 tackles for loss (minus-19 yards) and 2.0 sacks. He has added six quarterback pressures, deflected a pass that was intercepted and forced one fumble. Mau was named preseason first-team FCS All-America by The Sports Network, College Sporting News, Tony Softli and Athlon College Football Preview. He earned All-America honors as a sophomore from Phil Steele after a breakout season.
NOTABLE IMPROVEMENT
Gardner-Webb ranked near the bottom of NCAA Division I statistics last season (113th of 121 teams) in turnover margin, and 119th of 121 in turnovers lost. Those numbers have taken a dramatic turn through the first seven games in 2014, with GWU ranking No. 14 nationally in turnover margin (+0.86) and 12th in turnovers lost (7). GWU ranks No. 16 nationally in interceptions, with nine different players picking off passes.
HOME FIELD SUCCESS
Gardner-Webb has won 11 of its last 13 games, and five in a row, in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium – dating back to the 2012 season. The two losses during that stretch came to Coastal Carolina on November 3, 2012 in a 55-33 shootout and to Liberty last October 26 in a 24-0 decision. The Runnin' Bulldogs went 5-1 last season at home. GWU has just two more home games remaining on the 2014 schedule – Coastal Carolina (11/1) and Presbyterian (11/15). Both games will air on American Sports Network.
MAJOR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE
Gardner-Webb's coaching staff has garnered significant experience – both as players and coaches – at the highest level of college football. Head coach Carroll McCray has spent time at both South Carolina and Mississippi State as offensive line coach. Defensive coordinator Randall McCray spent time at South Carolina as a graduate assistant, and has been a position coach at both Wisconsin and Pittsburgh. The younger McCray also worked as defensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee State, among other Division I stops during his career. Running backs coach Brett Hickman worked as a graduate assistant at East Carolina. Quarterbacks coach Brett Nichols played at South Carolina, receivers coach La'Donte Harris played at Clemson, assistant head coach / offensive line coach Kenny Ray played at Southern Miss and defensive line coach Issac Mooring played at North Carolina.
CATCHING ON
Redshirt senior tight end Seth Cranfill (6-4, 246) became the Big South Conference's career leader in receptions with his performance at The Citadel (9/27), and continued to play a major role in Gardner-Webb's passing attack in the win over Charlotte (10/4). He had two touchdown catches vs. Wofford (9/20) and now ranks second on the team with 24 receptions for 255 yards and those two scores. For his career, the Sherrill's Ford, N.C., native has caught 77 passes for 753 yards and four touchdowns. He ranks eighth this season among all Division I tight ends (FBS/FCS) in receptions and fifth among FCS tight ends through six games.
THIS WEEK'S BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE GAMES
Saturday, October 25
Monmouth at Presbyterian, 2:00
Charleston So. at #3/4 Coastal Carolina, 3:30
Gardner-Webb at Liberty, 3:30
#TURF
Since moving to NCAA Division I in 2000, Gardner-Webb has played 38 games on artificial turf. The Runnin' Bulldogs have not fared well in those games, going a combined 12-27 on the faux green. With the installation of its own new artificial surface in place, Gardner-Webb's first four games in 2014 are on turf – and eight total games (3-2 so far in 2014). GWU is 1-1 on natural grass so far this season. Four of the team's final five games will be played on turf this season.
IVAN'S ISLAND
Cornerback Ivan Toomer (6-1, 203, RJr.) has performed at a high level again in 2014, collecting 31 total tackles (20 solo), an interception and a team-best seven pass break ups in seven starts. The Homestead, Fla., native returned his interception 25 yards for a touchdown in the season's third game – but was at his best in the 27-24 win over Charlotte (10/4). Toomer finished with seven tackles (five solo) and a team-high three pass break ups – as GWU picked up three turnovers and limited the 49ers to just 255 yards through the air. Charlotte gained 76 percent of its aerial offense (194 yards) on just three plays, with its final 80-yard score coming against zone coverage. Toomer and a young GWU secondary will be tested heavily again this week with one of the FCS' top passing attacks at Liberty.
GETER DONE FOR 2014
All-Big South linebacker and All-America candidate Chad Geter will miss the remainder of the 2014 season, Gardner-Webb announced on September 24. The 6-foot-2, 238-pound junior will apply for a medical redshirt and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining when he returns in 2015. Geter did not play in the win over Wofford, only the second full game he had missed in two seasons as a starter. He was the team's leading tackler with 23 hits through three games – and has 135 total tackles and 14.5 tackles for loss in his 25 career games played.
BURCH OUT FOR 2014
Preseason All-America inside linebacker Tanner Burch will miss the entire 2014 season after suffering an injury during the week of preparation for the season opener at No. 18/21 Furman. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound senior has a redshirt season remaining after playing in each of his first three seasons and will return as a fifth-year senior in 2015. Burch has led the team and ranked among the Big South leaders with 100-tackle campaigns in both 2012 and 2013 and has averaged nearly 10 hits per game in contests against nationally-ranked teams for his career.
UP NEXT
Things get no easier for the Runnin' Bulldogs, as they return to Spangler Stadium to host #3/4 Coastal Carolina at 3:30 pm on November 1. The game will air on American Sports Network, with Evan Lepler and Nate Ross providing the call. Fabian Fuentes will also call the action live on wgwg.org. †
