GAME BOOK (PDF)

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Redshirt freshman Darrell Bridges rumbled for 135 yards and scored Presbyterian's lone offensive touchdown to lead the Blue Hose to a 14-7 win at Gardner-Webb Saturday.

Presbyterian (6-5, 3-2 Big South) finished its first winning campaign since 2008 and had its first conference finish above .500 since joining the Big South. It is the first time Gardner-Webb (4-7, 0-4 Big South) has started league play with an 0-4 mark.

Bridges' seven-yard touchdown run with 9:09 left to play gave Presbyterian a 14-0 lead that appeared safe, but Gardner-Webb rallied to tighten things.

Kenny Cook hauled in an 11-yard scoring strike from Lucas Beatty with 4:39 left to pull within one score and, after the GWU defense forced a quick punt, GWU had one more chance at its own 20. Beatty scrambled out of pressure and flipped a pass to Juanne Blount on second down, and Blount darted 43 yards down to the Presbyterian 37 before being forced out of bounds.

Beatty's next pass was knocked away across the middle, but he stepped up in the pocket on second down again – and found tight end Seth Cranfill open down to the Blue Hose seven-yard line. A penalty flag negated the play, however, as an illegal formation was called – pushing GWU back to the 42-yard line.

The Blue Hose defense pinned their ears back on the next three plays, hurrying Beatty into a pair of incompletions – and finally an interception inside the five-yard line on fourth down and just 1:47 remaining on the game clock

Bridges carried three times for 15 yards to pick up a necessary first down, and Presbyterian took a knee to seal the victory.

The first half was a punt-heavy affair, until Gardner-Webb's Spencer Havird pounced on a Heys McMath fumble at the Blue Hose 40-yard line to set up a golden opportunity late in the second quarter.

Tyrell Maxwell came on and darted 28 yards on his first carry of the game, but was sacked on second down at the Blue Hose 11.

Gardner-Webb set up for a 28-yard field goal with 3:58 left before the half – but Paul Schumacher's attempt was blocked by DaRon Dickey and returned 80 yards for a touchdown by Ed Britt. The PAT put the Blue Hose up 7-0 – and lead they would take into the locker room.

The Blue Hose defense was stubborn throughout, sacking three different GWU passers seven times , recording eight pressures and and making 10.0 tackles behind the line overall – for 41 negative yards.

Gardner-Webb started four drives inside PC territory, including one at the 30-yard line, but came away with zero points on those possessions. The Runnin' Bulldogs had just 206 yards of total offense in the game and were only 5-of-16 on third down.

Britt and Donelle Williams each had nine stops to pace the Blue Hose tacklers and Isaiah Lynn finished with seven total hits, 4.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks (minus-17 yards). Dickey and seven stops and the key blocked field goal.

In addition to Bridges' rushing effort, Demarcus Rouse had 42 yards on 10 carries. McMath finished the day 11-of-20 for 104 yards, two interceptions and a fumble. Tobi Antiga caught five passes for 38 yards to pace the receiving corps.

Gardner-Webb's defense put together a tough, gritty effort – limiting Presbyterian to 285 yards on 66 plays and forcing four turnovers (two fumbles, two interceptions).

Aaron Cook had 13 total tackles, a sack and three tackles for loss and O.J. Mau came through with nine hits, 2.0 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. Steven Cristobal had three solo stops and picked off a pair of passes.

Offensively, Beatty finished with 166 yards passing on 15-of-29 accuracy, but was sacked four times. Maxwell led the rushing attack with 35 yards on five carries and Cook was the top target with five catches for 24 yards. Jones had 63 yards on three receptions.

Punter Andrew Komornik had a strong day, punting 10 times for a 41.0 yard average and three kicks inside the 10-yard line. He had a long of 54 yards.

Gardner-Webb will wrap up its season next Saturday in New Jersey, traveling to face new Big South member Monmouth at Noon. The game will air live on American Sports Network. Station clearances will be announced mid-week. The game will also air on wgwg.org (Fabian Fuentes).