GAME NOTES: Gardner-Webb Closes Out Home Schedule Saturday At Noon Against Blue Hose
November 11, 2014 | Football
THE GAME
Gardner-Webb closes out the home portion of its schedule Saturday, hosting longtime rival Presbyterian (5-5, 2-2 Big South) at high Noon in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium. The game will air live on American Sports Network, with Jeff McCarrager and Nate Ross handling the call. Fabian Fuentes, Ben Fuller and Alex Guest will make the call on wgwg.org
SERIES NOTES
Gardner-Webb and Presbyterian have the longest football rivalry in the Big South Conference, dating back to 1970 and taking place 36 times ... GWU holds a 19-17 edge in the all-time series and has won two in a row ... Each of the last two victories for Gardner-Webb have been decided by an average of just 6.5 points – including last season's 20-13 win in the regular season finale for both teams ... GWU won the last meeting in Boiling Springs, 21-15, holding off a late PC rally ... The two teams were members of the original SAC-8 football conference as NAIA members, and transitioned to NCAA Division II with that league in 1993 ... The teams did not play from 2000-2008, as Gardner-Webb transitioned up to NCAA Division I-AA following the 1999 season ... Presbyterian made the jump following the 2006 campaign.
THE HEAD COACHES
Gardner-Webb head coach Carroll McCray (Class of '83) returned to his alma mater in 2013 and has forged an 11-11 record so far in his time in Boiling Springs. Presbyterian head coach Harold Nichols (Class of '90) also returned to his alma mater, taking over the Blue Hose program in 2009. He has a 14-49 record over the past six seasons and has led his squad to a pair of top-25 wins this season.
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 several more starters have missed significant time through 10 games. All told, Gardner-Webb has lost 153 combined quarters of action from starters in 2014, with 91 of those coming from All-Big South Conference selections.
COOKING WITH KENNY
Gardner-Webb All-America receiver Kenny Cook (6-4, 218, RSr.) will play his final game in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium Saturday, and his three seasons with the program have been extraordinary. The former Clinton (S.C.) High star enters the game with 175 career catches for 2,331 yards and 20 touchdowns – good for sixth place in the GWU record books. He needs just on catch to move into fifth – and needs just 14 receptions over the final two games this season to pass Hall of Famer Rodney Robinson for the most receptions in a three-season career (188, 1990-1992). Cook leads the Big South Conference this season with 6.4 catches per game and has grabbed more than 50 passes (51) for the second season in a row. He is also the Big South's career leader for 100-yard games, doing so 10 times in just 31 career games. Cook was at his best earlier this season at VMI, earning FCS National Player of the Week honors after a career-high 12 catches for a school and league-record 251 yards (10/18).
THERE'S ANOTHER COOK
Gardner-Webb has a fast-rising star in linebacker Aaron Cook (6-1, 218, So.), who has emerged as an All-Big South candidate at the position with the season-ending injuries to standouts Chad Geter (6-2, 238, Jr.) and Tanner Burch (6-3, 250, Sr.). Cook emerged during spring practice as a starter at the Bandit position outside, and has split time between that post and Geter's old Spur position over the past five games. The results have been promising – 75 total tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, one sack and four pass break ups. He had a career-high 14 hits (nine solo) vs. #2/3 Coastal Carolina.
AIR BEATTY
Quarterback Lucas Beatty (6-2, 210, RSr.) etched his name in another area of the record book Saturday at Charleston Southern, becoming just the third quarterback in school history to top the 2,000-yard mark in three consecutive seasons. Beatty now has 2,141 yards passing this season to go with a career-high 15 touchdowns and a career-low eight interceptions. He ranks second in Big South history and third in GWU history with 7,752 yards through the air. The former Olympic (N.C.) High standout has tossed 41 touchdown passes in 36 career starts under center. He set the Big South's single-game passing mark with 430 yards and five touchdowns at VMI on October 18..
LAST TIME OUT
An early blitz on both sides of the ball from Charleston Southern doomed Gardner-Webb in its last outoing, as the Bucs scored 20 points in the games first seven minutes and jumped to a 34-0 lead at halftime. Gardner-Webb recovered to trim the lead to 34-14 late in the third quarter, and had the football near midfield early in the fourth, but Charleston Southern held on fourth down, kicked a field goal to go up 37-14 – and returned their second interception for a score for the final margin..
PROTECT THIS HOUSE
Gardner-Webb is 8-2 over its last 10 home games, dating back to last season – including a 3-1 mark so far in 2014. The Runnin' Bulldogs have won 11 of their last 14, dating back to 2012. The three losses have come to Coastal Carolina (2012, 2014) and Liberty (2013). GWU went 5-1 at home in 2013, with wins over Furman and #11/15 Richmond. Notable wins in Spangler Stadium this season have come over Wofford (43-36) and Charlotte (27-24).
MAU WOW
Buchanan Award candidate and All-America nose guard O.J. Mau (6-2, 308, Jr.) is enjoying a productive second full season as a starter up front – totaling 50 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss (minus-19 yards), 2.0 sacks (minus-11 yards) and six quarterback pressures inside. He was particularly active in the win over Charlotte (10/4), shutting off the middle run game and collecting a career-best 11 total hits in the process. He blocked a field goal at Charleston Southern (11/8).
RUNAWAY TRAIN
Tight end Seth Cranfill (6-4, 246, RSr.) continued his assault on the Gardner-Webb and Big South record books vs. #2/3 Coastal Carolina, catching three passes for 86 yards and a score. His 75-yard catch and run to paydirt in the second quarter marked the longest touchdown reception ever for a Big South tight end – and was the second-longest pass play of Lucas Beatty's career. Craznfill also moved into sole possession of first place in Gardner-Webb's record book, passing All-Big South tight end Jason Bright for tight end receptions. Cranfill now has 86 catches for 873 yards and five touchdowns in 31 games. In addition to pacing Gardner-Webb's record book for tight end receptions, Cranfill now ranks 20th overall on the GWU receptions list – regardless of position.
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.
ANOTHER NOTE ON THE TIGHT ENDS
Tight end Mike Estes (6-4, 234, RSo.) is quietly putting together a career-best year himself, forming one of the top duos in the FCS with running mate Seth Cranfill. Estes has caught a career-high 26 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns – and has 44 career catches for 608 yards and three scores in two seasons. He and Cranfill have combined to catch 57 passes at the position this season. The third tight end in the rotation, Jordan Jones (6-4, 215, RSo.) has three catches for 11 yards and two scores to his credit.
AROUND THE BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE
THIS WEEK | Saturday, November 15
Presbyterian at Gardner-Webb, Noon (ASN)
Monmouth at #1/2 Coastal Carolina, 3:00 pm (ESPN3)
Charleston Southern at Liberty, 3:30 pm (LFSN)
LAST WEEK | Saturday, November 8
Charleston Southern 44, Gardner-Webb 14
Liberty 34, Monmouth 24
#2/3 Coastal Carolina 59, Charlotte 34
Ole Miss (#11/12) 48, Presbyterian 0
#TURF
Since moving to NCAA Division I in 2000, Gardner-Webb has played 40 games on artificial turf. The Runnin' Bulldogs have not fared well in those games, going a combined 12-29 on the faux green. With the installation of its own new artificial surface in place, Gardner-Webb's first four games in 2014 were on turf – and eight total games (3-3 so far in 2014). GWU is 1-2 on natural grass so far this season. The team's final two games will be played on turf this season.
IVAN'S ISLAND
Cornerback Ivan Toomer (6-1, 203, RJr.) has been tasked with anchoring an inexperienced secondary in 2014, and has been up to the challenge. The former Homestead (Fla.) High standout has posted 52 total tackles (34 solo), 2.0 tackles for loss and has a team-best eight pass break ups while drawing man coverage on the opposition's top receiver most games. Toomer also has an interception, which he returned 25 yards for a touchdown in Gardner-Webb's home opener. He has totaled 122 career hits in 30 games as a starter at cornerback.
SENIOR DAY
Gardner-Webb will honor 11 seniors Saturday in their final home game at Ernest W. Spangler Stadium: Lucas Beatty (Charlotte, N.C.); Juanne Blount (Wingate, N.C.); Donald Buie III (Gainesville, Fla.); Kenny Cook (Cross Hill, S.C.); Seth Cranfill (Sherrill's Ford, N.C.); Steven Cristobal (Oxnard, Calif.); Tyler Hough-Jenkins (Charlotte, N.C.); J.J. Hubbard (Tampa, Fla.); David McConnell (Gainesville, Ga.); Deonte Swinton (Phenix City, Ala.) and Bradley Taylor (Yanceyville, N.C.). All 11 seniors have started for the Runnin' Bulldogs this season.
UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb closes out the 2014 regular season on the road, traveling to West Long Branch, N.J., to face league newcomer Monmouth for the first time. Kickoff is set for Noon in the Garden State, with the game to be televised live on American Sports Network. Station clearances for the broadcast will be announced mid-week. The game will also air, as usual, on wgwg.org – the online home of Gardner-Webb athletics – with Fabian Fuentes providing the call. †
