FINAL BOX SCORE (PDF)  |  Postgame InfoGraphic  |  @GWUFootball

CONWAY, S.C. – No. 8 Coastal Carolina sprinted to a 29-0 halftime lead and kept the pressure on throughout in a decisive 46-0 win over Gardner-Webb Saturday.

Gardner-Webb (3-6, 2-3 Big South) managed just 89 yards in the opening half, as the Chanticleers (8-1, 3-1 Big South) got two rushing touchdowns within a minute stretch from All-America runner De'Angelo Henderson to push out to a 29-0 lead with 4:14 left before the half.

Alex Ross hit Bruce Mapp on a 55-yard scoring play down the left sideline for a 36-0 lead with 4:51 left in the third quarter and Osharmar Abercrombie scored from two yards out – his second of the day – for a 43-0 lead with 2:55 remaining in the third quarter.

Caleb Kelly's 19-yard field goal with 42 seconds left in the game capped the scoring.

Gardner-Webb finished with 272 yards of total offense on the day, collecting 146 of that total on the ground. The Runnin' Bulldogs had one scoring opportunity in the game after Tyrell Maxwell hit Mike Estes on a 37-yard pass down to the Chanticleers' 11-yard line – but the drive stalled after a first-down loss and a 25-yard field goal sailed wide left.

Gardner-Webb's defense, which came into the game ranked 17th nationally, allowed a season-worst 485 yards to the Chanticleers – who posted an even 226 yards on the ground and 259 yards through the air.

Ross was efficient, completing 14-of-16 passes for 209 yards, two scores and a first-half interception. Backup Michael Church completed 2-of-3 chances for 50 yards off the bench.

Henderson carried 11 times for 114 yards and two scores, with Abercrombie supporting that production with 46 yards and two scores on 10 carries. Abercrombie's 14-yard touchdown with 6:03 to play in the first quarter– and a two-point conversion run – gave Coastal the lead for good.

Ross found good fortune for his first scoring toss, as GWU linebacker Tanner Burch deflected his pass inside the 10-yard line – but saw the carom land square in the hands of trailing tight end Craig Weick for a 39-yard touchdown with 1:37 to play in the first quarter.

The game marked Coastal Carolina's first Big South Conference shutout since beginning league play ion 2003.

Maxwell led Gardner-Webb's rushing attack for the eighth time in eight starts, overcoming a pair of sacks to rush for 50 yards on 18 carries. He completed just 4-of-13 passes for 90 yards under a heavy rush most of the game.

Backup Brody Rollins came on to rush for 33 yards on seven carries, and completed 4-of-7 passes for 36 yards. Estes finished with two catches for 54 yards to pace the receiving corps.

Azziz Higgins had nine tackles (five solo) and Chad Geter recorded five hits (four solo) and a sack to lead the defensive stat sheet. Reserve corner DJ Allen picked off his first career interception in the second quarter.

Gardner-Webb will close out its season with two home games, the first coming next Saturday vs. ETSU. Kickoff is set for 1:30 pm on the Big South Network (bigsouthsports.com). It is the two teams' first meeting since 2002.