THE GAME
Gardner-Webb hits the road for the first of two difficult road games, traveling to face in-state foe and 25th-ranked North Carolina Central. The game will kick off at 2:00 pm in historic O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, N.C.

SERIES NOTES
The all-time series is tied, 2-2 ... All four previous meetings came when both programs were NCAA Division II members (1996-1999) ... Each team is undefeated on the road in the series ... Gardner-Webb has not visited Durham, N.C., for football since September 11, 1999 ... The 16-0 win for GWU that season was the second of three-straight shutouts to begin the season.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES
Gardner-Webb linebacker Kenyatta Dunbar (5-11, 214, Sr.) has been a regular visitor in offensive backfields this season, ranking second in NCAA Division I FCS nationally with 11.0 tackles for loss (2.2 per game) so far. The Edgefield, S.C., native has posted at least 3.0 tackles for loss three-straight games to end September – becoming the first Big South Conference tackler to do so since Harold Wells in 2004. Dunbar is tied for the team lead currently with 38 total tackles (20 solo). He also had a forced fumble that Gardner-Webb recovered in the closing minutes at No. 9 Wofford, one of his 3.0 tackles for loss on the day.

TOUGH SLATE
According to the NCAA's Toughest Schedule metric, Gardner-Webb has the most difficult slate in the FCS nationally through games of October 7. Gardner-Webb's three previous opponents are a combined 10-1, with the one loss coming in an overtime game between #5 Wofford and #22 Western Carolina. Eight of Gardner-Webb's nine FCS opponents this season are either ranked this week or receiving votes in one of the two major polls conducted for the subdivision. GWU also faced a 2016 bowl participant (Wyoming) on September 9. With #25 North Carolina Central on tap, each of Gardner-Webb's non-conference FCS opponents is currently ranked – with Wofford (#5), N.C. A&T (#11), Western Carolina (#21) and N.C. Central (#25) appearing in at least one of the two major national polls on October 9. Four more are receiving votes, led by Monmouth, Liberty, Charleston Southern and Kennesaw State. Monmouth is ranked just outside of the FCS Coaches' Poll this week, falling in line at No. 26 after a 4-1 start.

THE HEAD COACHES
Gardner-Webb head coach Carroll McCray (Class of '83) returned to his alma mater in 2013 and has forged a 21-29 record so far in his time in Boiling Springs. Jerry Mack (Arkansas State '03) has taken North Carolina Central to great heights since arriving in Durham, posting a 28-12 record with three consecutive MEAC titles between 2014-2016.

MAXWELL'S MOVING UP THE CHARTS
Standout quarterback Tyrell Maxwell (6-2, 231, Sr.) entered his senior season with a truckload of accolades, including preseason Big South Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors, and has overcome a slow start to get back to his 2016 form. Maxwell currently sits sixth in school history with 2,396 career rushing yards – just 43 yards behind Juanne Blount for fifth position on that list. Maxwell has also passed for 3,241 career yards, which ranks 11th in program history. Maxwell is 593 yards behind Jesse James for 10th in school history through the air. He is the first quarterback in Gardner-Webb or Big South Conference history to pass for 3,000+ yards and run for 2,000+ yards in a career. Maxwell currently ranks 25th nationally with 5.9 yards per rush and has averaged 101.0 yards per game over his last three starts.

LONG RANGE
Gardner-Webb has recorded 14 explosive plays (20+ yards) offensively so far in 2017, after averaging 4.0 explosive plays per game in 2016. The Runnin' Bulldogs clicked off nine explosive plays in the 42-14 win over Shorter, including an 83-yard touchdown run from Tyrell Maxwell. The senior now has the two longest runs in Big South or Gardner-Webb history by a quarterback – with his 87-yarder last October vs. Presbyterian the longest.

NOTE OF THE DAY: THIRD DOWNS
Gardner-Webb and North Carolina Central have experienced different results in third-down conversion defense so far this season, with the Runnin' Bulldogs currently last among 123 FCS programs with a 52.4% conversion rate through five games. The Eagles rank fourth nationally in that category, allowing just 16 first downs in 62 attempts (25.8%).

OFFENSE MAKING STRIDES
After a tough start to the season, Gardner-Webb's offensive unit has made significant progress over its past three games. Since going without a touchdown over the first two weeks, GWU has averaged 31.0 points per game in games vs. nationall-ranked Western Carolina and Wofford – and to Division II Shorter. Quarterback Tyrell Maxwell (6-2, 231, Sr.) has completed 58.3 percent of his passes for 454 yards in those games, and is averaging 101.0 yards per game himself on the ground. The Runnin' Bulldogs have effectively moved the chains, averaging 22 first downs per game over the last three.

ROAD TRIP
Gardner-Webb's last road win was a big one, as the 'Dogs pulled off a 17-10 win at No. 8 Charleston Southern last November 5 in the Palmetto State. GWU is 0-2 on the road so far in 2017 and has a 9-33 mark away from home since 2010 (21.4%). GWU has not won more than two road contests in a season since 2009 – when it captured wins at Western Carolina, VMI and Presbyterian to finish at 6-5.

BULLDOZERS 
Gardner-Webb success running the football last season was paved by a strong offensive line, a unit that returned three starters for the 2017 season in All-America candidate Will Millikan (6-3, 311, Jr.) at left tackle, third-year starter Charlie Eudy (6-2, 291, R-Jr.) at right tackle and second-year starter Brayden Briggs (6-3, 303, R-So.) at right guard. The addition of Eastern Michigan transfer Brandon Leahey (6-3, 297, R-So.) at center bolstered the unit and another newcomer was the talk of preseason camp with his quick emergence – similar to Millikan's prior to the 2015 season. Left guard Jack Nichols (6-3, 314, Fr.) started the season opener, becoming the first true freshman to earn a season opening start on the offensive line since Millikan did so at South Alabama in 2015. Millikan went on to a successful freshman season, starting 10 games, and was an All-Big South choice as a sophomore. Nichols was a standout at national power Roswell (Ga.) High before signing with Gardner-Webb in February. As a starting unit, the Runnin' Bulldogs averages 6-2 3/4 and 303.2 pounds per man. Newcomer Daniel Smith (6-4, 286, R-Fr.) earned his first start at right guard vs. Shorter.

VETERAN FRONT SEVEN
Gardner-Webb lost some star power from a solid front seven last season, with All-America linebacker Chad Geter and All-Big South running mate Aaron Cook graduating. The Runnin' Bulldogs have plenty of experienced muscle back, however, with all seven starters in the front seven in at least their third season of college football. Three of those seven starters are seniors and two more are redshirt juniors. Five of the seven have starting experience, led by All-Big South defensive end P.J. Fuimaono (6-1, 294, Sr.), standout linebacker Kenyatta Dunbar (5-11, 214, Sr.) and standouts Corey Horne (6-0, 221, Jr.) and Jeffrey Pegues (6-0, 208, Sr.) at inside linebacker.

AGAINST THE TAR HEEL STATE 
Since moving to NCAA Division I in 2000, Gardner-Webb has forged a 5-11 record against other FCS programs from the Tar Heel State. GWU is 0-2 in such games so far this season, falling to North Carolina A&T (45-3) and Western Carolina (42-27) at home. Both North Carolina A&T (No. 11/No. 15) and Western Carolina (No. 21/No. 25) are ranked this week in each of the two major FCS national polls.

THE BIG MAN
 Punter Andrew Komornik (6-5, 264, Gr.) has shown off a strong leg again in 2017, ranking near the top of the Big South Conference with an average of 40.8 yards per punt. The Fort Mill, S.C., native has hammered five punts longer than 50 yards so far, including a 57-yarder, in 26 total attempts. Komornik has pinned seven punts inside the 20-yard line, with four of those pins coming in the past two games.

MORE MAXWELL
Gardner-Webb's Tyrell Maxwell (6-2, 231, Sr.) is the Big South Conference's career leader with 10 games with 100+ yards rushing for a quarterback, doing so earlier this year vs. Western Carolina and Shorter. Maxwell ranks ninth in league history – regardless of position – in 100-yard games rushing. His nine games with 100+ yards rushing and 100+ yards passing is also a league record.

IT'S DAH-VIS
Defensive end Davis Neilands (6-3, 255, R-So.) – pronounced "DAH-vis" – is in his second season in the starting lineup and stands poised for a move into the elite among Big South Conference defensive linemen. The Latvian-born pass rusher emerged late last season, making a splash in his first start at Liberty (10/29) and a strong effort in the win at No. 8 Charleston Southern (11/5). He recorded five hits (four solo) and 1.5 sacks in an overtime loss at Liberty, then came through with 11 stops and a half sack in Charleston, S.C. Neilands finished his inaugural campaign with the Runnin' Bulldogs with 42 total tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks in 11 games played – with only spot duty until late October. Neilands leads Gardner-Webb and ranks among the Big South Conference leaders with 2.0 quarterback sacks in 2017.

NEW FACES ON STAFF
Gardner-Webb welcomes two new assistant coaches to its staff in 2017, with Dennis Thomas taking over on the defensive line and Bennett Houston coaching the receivers. Thomas, who played on the defensive line at South Carolina himself, most recently coached at Tusculum (2016) and also served as an assistant coach at Western Carolina. Houston, a graduate of North Greenville, spent several seasons as an undergraduate coach with a strong Crusaders' program.

HOME SWEET HOME
Gardner-Webb has been traditionally tough in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium, and have gone 15-11 at home since head coach Carroll McCray's arrival in 2013. That includes wins over top-25 opponents Richmond (2013), Charleston Southern (2013) and Liberty (2015). Five of its 11 home losses since 2013, including three of its last four, have come to nationally-ranked teams. Each of Gardner-Webb's home losses this season have come to teams currently ranked in the FCS Top 25.

SLASH
The Runnin' Bulldogs employ a dangerous weapon in a wide range of areas in 2017, as Brody Rollins (5-11, 182, Jr.) uses his 4.5-second speed to impact games at several positions. The Knoxville, Tenn., speedster lines up at quarterback, running back and receiver during regular sets offensively – also serves as one of Gardner-Webb's primary kick returners. Rollins finished the 2016 season with 14 carries for 42 yards, completed one pass, caught a pass for seven yards and led Gardner-Webb with 22 kickoff returns for 454 yards (20.6 yards per attempt). He caught his first career touchdown pass vs. Western Carolina, hauling in a 35-yarder late in the fourth quarter. Rollins had his first snaps under center vs. Shorter, completing 2-of-3 passes for 17 yards and carrying three times for 20 yards. He has five catches this season for 62 yards and a touchdown.

UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb begins Big South Conference play next Saturday, traveling to Kennesaw State for a 7:00 pm contest. The game will air live on ESPN3 (WatchESPN), with Mike Hogewood and Renaldo Wynn on the call. The Runnin' Bulldogs will be opening league play on the road for the 13th time in 16 seasons of Big South Football. †