GAME NOTES: Gardner-Webb Travels To Face Tough Road Test At The Citadel
September 24, 2014 | Football
THE GAME
Gardner-Webb travels to The Citadel for the first time Saturday, taking on the Bulldogs at 6:00 pm in historic Johnson Hagood Stadium. The game will air live on wgwg.org, the online home of Gardner-Webb University athletics. Fabian Fuentes and Alex Guest will provide the call.
SERIES NOTES
First meeting.
THE HEAD COACHES
Gardner-Webb head coach Carroll McCray (Class of '83) returned to his alma mater in 2013 and has forged a 9-7 record so far in his time in Boiling Springs. The Citadel is led by first-year man Mike Houston, who directed Lenoir-Rhyne to the Division II national title game in 2013. Houston is an impressive 29-11 in his overall tenure as a college head coach. Houston faced Gardner-Webb as a student-athlete at Mars Hill in the early-mid 1990s.
COOKIN' WITH KENNY
Gardner-Webb's offense was finally able to get in rythym with the return of Walter Payton Award candidate and All-America receiver Kenny Cook (6-4, 218, RSr.) to the lineup against Wofford. The Cross Hill, S.C., native hauled in six passes for 59 yards and the game-winning touchdown with 2:04 remaining. Four of Cook's five targets on third down were caught for first downs, and generated three more first downs by drawing pass interference calls in the red zone. Cook moved into 10th on the all-time receptions list at Gardner-Webb in just his 25th career game. He missed the final three quarters in the season opener at #18/21 Furman and did not dress against either Wake Forest or Virginia-Lynchburg.
YOUNG LINEBACKERS FORCED INTO ACTION
Gardner-Webb's linebacking corps entering the 2014 season was one of its more experienced starting units. That group found itself without two All-Big South performers against Wofford, with Chad Geter and Tanner Burch each sidelined with injuries – Burch's fourth game missed this season and Geter's first. Newcomer Jeffrey Pegues (6-0, 195, Fr.) earned a start alongside Azziz Higgins (6-2, 228, Jr.) inside, and Donald Buie III (6-0, 196, Sr.) was tabbed to start alongside the lone regular starter, Aaron Cook (6-1, 218, So.) outside. By game's end, four first-year linebackers had seen considerable snaps, with Kenyatta Dunbar (5-11, 200, Fr.), Donte' Gordon (6-0, 238, Fr.), Quinton Patterson (6-1, 235, RFr.) and Pegues each logging more snaps than usual. Pegues had two sacks and earned Big South Freshman of the Week honors for his efforts. Patterson – a transfer from NC State and former Shrine Bowler – had a career-high four stops as well. Gordon added a tackle for loss.
THE OTHER COOK
Outside linebacker Aaron Cook (6-1, 218, So.) had his best game to date in his fifth career start. He finished Saturday's win over Wofford 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 both his normal Bandit spot and logging double duty at injured Chad Geter's Spur position.
LAST TIME OUT
Gardner-Webb stormed back from a 28-14 deficit in the second quarter, tallying a touchdown just before halftime and outscoring Wofford 16-0 in the third quarter to take control of the game. After the Terriers rallied to tie the score at 36-36 in the fourth quarter, quarterback Lucas Beatty gathered his offense and marched 59 yards in 10 plays to give Gardner-Webb a 43-36 lead with 2:04 left to play. GWU's defense held just inside midfield, stopping Wofford on fourth down to regain possession. Beatty took a knee to preserve the victory.
TO THE MAX
Reserve quarterback Tyrell Maxwell (6-2, 201, Fr.) is fast becoming one of the most exciting young players to watch in the Big South Conference, regardless of position. The former Edisto (S.C.) High star has rushed for more than 50 yards in each of the past three games off the bench, and has scored three touchdowns in that span. He earned Big South Freshman of the Week honors after darting and dashing for a team-high 62 yards and a score at Wake Forest and added another touchdown run to go with 52 yards against Virginia-Lynchburg. Maxwell stepped onto the field for the first time against Wofford in the third quarter, and took his first snap all the way to the house on a 29-yard keeper. He finished with 53 yards rushing on just seven carries – and leads all Big South quarterbacks in rushing yardage through four games. Maxwell earned All-State honors and played in the Shrine Bowl last season after a stellar prep career. He was rated as the nation's No. 31 dual-threat quarterback prospect in the Class of 2014 by ESPN.com, and as a three-star prospect.
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.
ROAD WOES
Winning away from home is difficult at any level of college football, and Gardner-Webb has endured its share of frustration when playing on the road. Since 2010, Gardner-Webb has gone just 5-18 on the road (21.7%), with two of those wins coming last season at #8/11 Wofford (Sept. 21) and Presbyterian (Nov. 23). GWU is just 1-6 since 2010 against non-conference FCS programs, falling at Sam Houston State (2010), Old Dominion (2010), Samford (2011), Richmond (2012), Charlotte (2013) and Furman (2014). Three of the losses have been by 10 points or less, including setbacks at Old Dominion (14-7), Charlotte (53-51) and Furman (13-3).
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 19 total tackles, a Big South-leading 7.0 tackles for loss (minus-18 yards) and 2.0 sacks. He has added five 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.
FLIPPING THE SCRIPT
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. Gardner-Webb also suffered a sizeable, 52-point deficit in points off of turnovers through 12 games last season. So far in 2014, things have changed. GWU holds a +5 edge in turnover margin, which ranks No. 10 nationally among FCS programs. The 'Dogs rank in the top-25 in both turnovers gained and fewest turnovers lost, and rank No. 4 nationally with seven interceptions picked off – by seven different players. GWU also holds an impressive 20-0 edge in scoring off of turnovers in its two wins.
JEBRAI MAKING HAY
Gardner-Webb defensive end Jebrai Regan (6-2, 248, Jr.) has come off the edge well in his first four career starts, collecting 2.5 sacks and 5.0 tackles for loss. The Woodstock, Ga., native and converted linebacker also has a batted down pass and a fumble recovery, along with a team-high eight quarterback pressures. His pressure and knockdown early in the third quarter against Virginia-Lynchburg forced a high throw that Ivan Toomer picked off for a 25-yard touchdown.
AGAINST THE OPTION
Gardner-Webb ran into a tough customer in its first outing against an option-based rushing attack, allowing a season-worst 322 yards rushing on 47 carries to Wofford on September 20. That total was more than twice more than the 154 total rushing yards allowed by GWU in its first three games combined. It was an about-face from 2013, when GWU faced two option-style rushing attacks – limiting Wofford to 144 yards in a 3-0 win and holding No. 12 Charleston Southern to 16-net rushing yards in a 27-10 win. Only two starters who played in those games for the GWU defense in 2013 were on the field for the 2014 Wofford contest. The Citadel, which owns the nation's No. 5 rushing attack through three games, presents another difficult challenge for Gardner-Webb's defense this week.
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.
TELEVISION BUFFET
Gardner-Webb will have a program-high seven games televised in 2014, with four set to air on ESPN3 (WatchESPN.com) and three more to be broadcast via Sinclair Broadcasting Group's new American Sports Network (ASN). Gardner-Webb's road games at Wake Forest (9/6), Liberty (10/25) and Charleston Southern (11/8) – and its home game vs. Charlotte (10/4) will be carried by ESPN3. GWU will have home games with Coastal Carolina (11/1) and Presbyterian (11/15) carried by ASN, and the regular season finale at Monmouth (11/22) also carried by ASN.
THIS WEEK'S BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE GAMES
Saturday, September 27
#25 Charleston So. at Charlotte, Noon
Monmouth at Lehigh, 12:30 pm
#22/23 Liberty at Indiana State, 3:00 pm
Gardner-Webb at The Citadel, 6:00 pm
Elon at #3/3 Coastal Carolina, 7:00 pm
Presbyterian is idle
AGAINST THE PALMETTO STATE
Gardner-Webb will play its third of six games against teams from the South Carolina when it plays at The Citadel on September 27. The 'Dogs lost at Furman, 13-3, on August 30 and topped Wofford, 43-36, on September 20. Gardner-Webb will also play #3/3 Coastal Carolina (11/1), at #25 Charleston Southern (11/8) and vs. Presbyterian (11/15). GWU is 39-51 all-time against current FCS foes from South Carolina – with its highest win totals coming against Presbyterian (18-18), Charleston Southern (10-4) and Wofford (8-16). GWU was 4-1 last season against FCS teams from the state, including a 2-0 mark at home.
#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 (2-2 so far in 2014).
YOUNG BACKS GAINING CONFIDENCE, EXPERIENCE
Gardner-Webb's two true freshmen running backs, Khalil Lewis (5-10, 198) and Kerry Bernard (5-9, 206) have each gained a few touches and snaps in their first four career games – serving as backups to workhorse Juanne Blount (5-9, 204, RSr.). Blount, who ranks 16th among active career leaders in carries across all NCAA Divisions, doesn't come out of the game often – but his two young understudies have proven effective when called upon. Lewis starred at Hilton Head (S.C.) High, earning All-Low Country honors twice and garnering FBS offers from Florida Atlantic, UMass and Buffalo as a senior. Bernard was a 1,000-yard rusher in his lone season as a starter at Dr. Phillips (Fla.) High in Orlando – and was rated as one of the top senior running backs in Central Florida by the Orlando Sentinel.
UP NEXT FOR GARDNER-WEBB
Gardner-Webb returns home to face FCS independent / FBS transition program Charlotte at 1:30 pm in Spangler Stadium. The game will air live on ESPN3 as the Big South Conference's initial "Game of the Week". Mike Hogewood and Nate Ross will provide the call, which is a rematch of last season's wild, 53-51, 49ers win in the Queen City. The game will also air live on wgwg.org (Fabian Fuentes, Ben Fuller, Alex Guest). †
