GAME NOTES: Gardner-Webb Closes Out Season At Monmouth Saturday
November 20, 2014 | Football
THE GAME
Gardner-Webb closes out the 2014 season on the road, playing at Monmouth on November 22. The Runnin' Bulldogs and Hawks will kick off at 12:04 pm at Kessler Field (3,200), with the game set to air live via American Sports Network. Evan Lepler and Nate Ross will provide the call. Fabian Fuentes will call the game live on wgwg.org.
SERIES NOTES
The two teams have never met in the sport of football ... Monmouth is in its first season as an associate member of the Big South Conference in football ... GWU has never played a football game in New Jersey ... Three former Runnin' Bulldogs who hailed from the Garden State have earned All-Big South honors in the past five seasons ... Defensive tackle Matt Goods (East Orange, N.J. / St. Mary) was the 2009 Big South Freshman of the Year and a 2011 All-Big South choice ... Kenny Little (Flanders, N.J. / Mt. Olive HS) earned All-Big South honors in 2011 and 2012, and was a 1,000-yard rusher in 2011 – the first for GWU since the 2000 season ... Defensive end Maurice Dickson (Hillsdale, N.J. / Hillsdale HS) led the Big South in sacks in 2011 and was a second-team All-Conference choice in 2012 ... There are no New Jersey natives on the current Gardner-Webb roster.
THE MEN IN CHARGE
Gardner-Webb head coach Carroll McCray (Class of '83) returned to his alma mater in 2013 and has forged an 11-12 record so far in his time in Boiling Springs. Monmouth head coach Kevin Callahan (Rochester '77) is the longest tenured coach at his school in the current Big South Conference, and has forged a sparkling 125-102 mark since taking over the program in 1992.
UNCHARTED WATERS
Gardner-Webb is 0-4 in the Big South Conference for the first time since the league's inception in 2002 and is looking to avoid its first winless conference season since going 0-7 in the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Conference in 1993. GWU had won at least two Big South games in each of its seasons with the league until 2014.
THE NORTHERNMOST REACHES
Gardner-Webb is 2-2 in its Division I-AA/FCS history when playing football in the northeast, dating back to the 2000 season ... GWU knocked off No. 23 New Hampshire, 38-35, on November 11, 2000 just one week after the Wildcats had dumped nationally-ranked UMass and Delaware to move into the top-25. GWU topped Stony Brook, 38-37, on November 1, 2008 on Long Island, but lost its last two visits to the former Big South associate member – falling in 2010 and 2012. Three of GWU's previous four games on the road in the northeast have come in November.
THESE GUYS ARE MISSED
Gardner-Webb has been without its two preseason All-Big South Conference linebackers for the bulk of the 2014 season. Preseason All-America inside 'backer Tanner Burch (6-3, 250, Sr.) has missed the entire year and All-Big South outside man Chad Geter (6-2, 238, Jr.) has missed the final eight games of the season. Both have redshirt years available and will return for the 2015 season.
COOKING WITH KENNY
Gardner-Webb All-America receiver Kenny Cook (6-4, 218, RSr.) will play his final college game in a GWU uniform Saturday in New Jersey, and his three seasons with the program have been extraordinary. The former Clinton (S.C.) High star enters the game with 180 career catches for 2,355 yards and 21 touchdowns – good for fifth place in the GWU record books. He needs just nine catches to move into third – which would also put him past Hall of Famer Rodney Robinson for the most receptions in a three-season career (188, 1990-1992). Cook ranks the Big South Conference this season with 6.2 catches per game and has grabbed more than 50 passes (56) 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 32 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).
WAIT ... 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 six games. The results have been promising – 88 total tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and five pass break ups. He had a career-high 14 hits (nine solo) vs. #2/3 Coastal Carolina and posted 13 tackles against Wofford (9/20) and Presbyterian (11/15).
82 YARDS
Quarterback Lucas Beatty (6-2, 210, RSr.) needs just 82 yards in his final college game to reach the 8,000-yard mark for his career in Boiling Springs. He recently became just the third quarterback in school history to pass for at least 2,000 yards in three consecutive seasons, joining former All-Big South signal callers Jeremy Martin (2000-2002) and Nick Roberts (2003-2005) in that exclusive group. The Charlotte, N.C., native has passed for 2,307 yards so far this season, with a career-high 16 touchdowns and a career-low nine interceptions through 11 games. He ranks second in Big South Conference history with 7,918 yards through the air and is among the NCAA's active leaders in yardage, completions (705) and attempts (1,156). He has completed 42 career touchdown passes in 37 starts. He set the Big South's single-game passing mark with 430 yards and five touchdowns at VMI earlier this season (10/18).
LAST TIME OUT
Gardner-Webb dropped its home finale on November 15, a 14-7 loss to Presbyterian in a defensive struggle. The Runnin' Bulldogs had 110 of their 206 total offensive yards in the final 15 minutes, but fell just short. The Blue Hose took advantage of a blocked field goal late in the second quarter to seize the lead for good, with Ed Britt's scoop and score covering 80 yards. Darrell Bridges' seven-yard touchdown run with just less than 10 minutes to play pushed the lead to 14-0. Lucas Beatty hit Kenny Cook on an 11-yard scoring pass with 4:39 to play, and Gardner-Webb forced a quick punt with more than three minutes left on the clock. Beatty found Juanne Blount on a swing pass for 43 yards, but had a 30-yard completion down to the seven wiped out by penalty – and was picked off at the four-yard line on fourth down. The Blue Hose got a first down run from Bridges and ran the clock out to snap a two-game losing streak in the series.
MAXWELL MOTORS
Reserve quarterback Tyrell Maxwell (6-2, 201, Fr.) provided a boost again vs. Presbyterian, darting 28 yards on his first carry in the second quarter down to the PC 12-yard line. The Edisto, S.C., native has four of the team's explosive plays in the run game this season and ranks as the team's second-leading rusher with 224 yards on 59 carries (3.8 yards per rush). He leads the team with three rushing touchdowns. Maxwell was a 2013 Shrine Bowl of the Carolina's selection and earned Class 2A All-State honors from the S.C. High School Sports Report as a senior. He was rated as the nation's No. 31 dual-threat quarterback in the Class of 2014 and as a three-star prospect.
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 59 tackles (career-high), 10.0 tackles for loss (career-high), 3.0 sacks (minus-16 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). Against Presbyterian, Mau had nine hits, 2.0 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. He has registered 133 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks in three seasons – with only two of those as a full-time starter.
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. Cranfill 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 87 catches for 880 yards and five touchdowns in 32 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 27 passes for 333 yards and two touchdowns – and has 45 career catches for 611 yards and three scores in two seasons. He and Cranfill have combined to catch 61 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 22
Gardner-Webb at Monmouth, Noon (ASN | MASN)
Charleston Southern at #9/15 Georgia, Noon (SEC Network)
Liberty at #1/2 Coastal Carolina, 1:00 pm (ESPN3)
LAST WEEK | Saturday, November 15
Presbyterian 14, Gardner-Webb 7
Charleston Southern 38, Liberty 36
#1/2 Coastal Carolina 52, Monmouth 21
#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 (3-4 so far in 2014). GWU is 1-2 on natural grass so far this season. The game at Monmouth will be played on artificial turf.
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 54 total tackles (36 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 124 career hits in 31 games as a starter at cornerback.
FINAL DAY FOR SENIORS
A total of 11 seniors will suit up for the final time Saturday against Monmouth: 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
The 2014 season is complete. Gardner-Webb opens the 2015 season on September 5 at Division I FBS (Sun Belt) member South Alabama in Mobile, Ala. The game will be played at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, which is also host to the prestigious Senior Bowl each January. †
