GAME NOTES: Gardner-Webb Hosts Western Carolina Saturday Night On Family Weekend
September 12, 2017 | Football
THE GAME
Gardner-Webb hosts high-powered Western Carolina on Saturday, with kickoff set for 6:05 pm in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium. The game will air live on WMYA (My 40) and the Big South Network (bigsouthsports.com), with Jason Patterson handling play-by-play and Tom Van Hoy serving as color analyst. Ansley Brock will handle sideline duties. Brendan Boylan and Tyler Helms will provide the call live on wgwg.org Saturday evening.
SERIES NOTES
Gardner-Webb and Western Carolina have met five times as senior colleges, with the Catamounts holding a 4-2 edge in the series, which started in 1983 ... The Catamounts advanced to the I-AA National Championship Game that season in Charleston, S.C. ... Gardner-Webb picked up its first win in the series in overtime, topping No. 25 Western Carolina by a 26-20 score in Boiling Springs on September 25, 2004 ... The two teams split a home-and-home set, with both winning on the road from 2009-2010 ... Gardner-Webb took a 27-20 win on September 9, 2009 in Cullowhee and Western Carolina took a 28-14 win on September 18, 2010 in Boiling Springs ... Western Carolina turned a 17-14 second-half lead into a 41-14 rout last September 10 in Cullowhee, rolling to 690 yards of total offense in the win ... The two teams also met once during the 1930s, with Gardner-Webb Junior College taking a 23-7 win in 1932.
A TOUGH SLATE INDEED
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 last week in Wyoming. This week's opponent, Western Carolina, is receiving votes, as are North Carolina Central, Kennesaw State and Monmouth. North Carolina A&T (#20), Wofford (#9), Liberty (#19) and Charleston Southern (#16) are all ranked this week.
HOME SWEET HOME
Gardner-Webb has been traditionally tough in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium, and have gone 14-10 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 10 home losses since 2013, including three of its last four, have come to nationally-ranked teams. Gardner-Webb lost its home opener to No. 20 North Carolina A&T on September 2.
THE HEAD COACHES
Gardner-Webb head coach Carroll McCray (Class of '83) returned to his alma mater in 2013 and has forged a 20-27 record so far in his time in Boiling Springs. Mark Speir (Clemson '90) is in his sixth season as head coach at Western Carolina, and has the program headed in the right direction. Speir is 20-39 in his six seasons, with a 7-4 record in 2015 putting WCU on the cusp of the FCS playoffs.
LONG RANGE
Gardner-Webb had no explosive plays in its loss to No. 25 North Carolina A&T, and only one at Wyoming, which is a break from a recent trend. GWU recorded 44 explosive plays last season, including six plays of 50+ yards. Tyrell Maxwell's 20-yard run deep in his own territory on a designed quarterback draw play is the lone explosive play for GWU so far in 2017.
BACK TO BASICS
Gardner-Webb was successful holding opponents out of the end zone on red zone trips in 2016, limiting the total to a 54-percent success rate in those instances. After a tough start to the season vs. North Carolina A&T, Gardner-Webb limited Wyoming to just one touchdown in three red zone trips in Week Two. The Cowboys drove deep twice and came away with only three points.
SOLID AGAINST THE RUN
Gardner-Webb held its third FBS opponent to less than 100 yards rushing on Saturday at Wyoming, limiting the Cowboys to just 65 yards on 28 carries – with Wyoming's starters in the game until the final snap. GWU also held Wake Forest (2014) and Georgia Tech (2008) below 100 yards rushing in FBS games. The 'Dogs are allowing just 91.0 yards rushing per game so far this season and have held 49 oppoents to less than 100 yards rushing in games since moving to NCAA Division I in 2000. GWU is 39-11 in those contests. Gardner-Webb ranks No. 22 nationally in rushing yards allowed so far this season.
BULLDOZERS
Gardner-Webb success running the football last season was paved by a strong offensive line, a unit that returns 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 has been 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.) will start 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.
A 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 projected starters in the front seven entering 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 another pair of standouts inside in Jeffrey Pegues (6-0, 208, Sr.) and Corey Horne (6-0, 221, Jr.). Horne and Pegues are the top two tacklers returning from 2016.
CATAMOUNTS CRUISING ON OFFENSE
Western Carolina enters Saturday night's game sporting the nation's top offensive unit statistically, averaging an eye-popping 630.0 yards of total offense per game through two contests. The Catamounts piled up 778 total yards – including 483 on the ground – in the rout of Davidson last weekend at home. Western Carolina was equally as impressive at Hawaii, outgaining the hosts Warriors 482-453 in a 41-18 loss. WCU is averaging 40.5 points per game, has already moved the chains for 56 first downs and are averaging a healthy 7.2 yards per carry on the ground. Sensational quarterback Tyrie Adams, who passed for 427 yards and five scores in last season's 41-14 win over Gardner-Webb, has been strong again so far in 2017. The St. Petersburg, Fla., sophomore has passed for 544 yards and six scores in two starts and has run for 106 yards to balance things out. All-America running back Detrez Newsome ran for 288 yards on 15 carries last week, and is averaging 157.5 yards per game in two starts. Backup running back Corey Holloway is averaging 97.5 yards per game on the ground.
KICKIN' IT
Gardner-Webb kicker Paul Schumacher (5-10, 177, Sr.) enjoyed a breakout season in 2016, earning second-team All-Big South Conference honors after connecting on 10-of-11 field goals and setting a new school-record with 23 touchbacks on kickoffs. He also booted home all 32 of his PAT kicks as a junior. The West Palm Beach, Fla., native kicked off twice in the 2017 season opener, with both going for touchbacks. His 25-yard field goal provided the lone points for Gardner-Webb in the game. He added another touchback on his lone kickoff at Wyoming, giving him 26 in the past 13 games.
DRIVING FOR IMPROVEMENT
Gardner-Webb has endured some early season struggles offensively in 2017, but showed significant improvement on that side of the ball at Wyoming – despite being held out of the end zone. GWU cranked up its rushing attack to the tune of 173 yards on 52 attempts, with 118 yards coming in the second half. The Runnin' Bulldogs were also able to sustain some drives, including an 18-play, 70-yard march that chewed 9:31 off the clock in the third quarter. In fact, GWU kept the ball away from Wyoming for all but 3:10 in the third quarter on just two drives. The 'Dogs held a slight advantage (30:38-29:22) in time of possession for the game. Rookie running back A.J. Moses (6-0, 220, Fr.) was a pleasant surprise, carrying 13 times for a season-best 54 yards in the game. The Griffin, Ga., native averaged a healthy 4.2 yards per rush – with a long gain of 13 yards.
MAXWELL'S MOMENT
The 2016 Big South Conference Offensive Player of the Year and Walter Payton Award finalist has not gotten off to a fast start in 2017, but plenty of season remains for quarterback Tyrell Maxwell (6-2, 231, Sr.) to regain his junior season form. The Orangeburg, S.C., native is the all-time leading rusher for his position in school and Big South Conference history, gaining 2,087 yards on the ground in four seasons. That ranks eighth in program history, just 55 yards shy of Kenny Little (2009-2012) for seventh position. Maxwell has also passed for 2,787 yards in his four seasons under center, which ranks 11th in program history.
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 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 had six stops in the season opener vs. #25 North Carolina A&T.
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.
THE MAN FROM MEMPHIS
Veteran defensive back Thomas Adams (6-2, 206, R-Sr.) has emerged as a team leader heading into his final campaign and is an All-Big South candidate at free safety. The versatile Memphis, Tenn., native has also started games with success at corner and has the size and ability to make an impact at either position. Adams finished the 2016 season with 35 total tackles, four pass break ups and a tackle for loss in nine games played. He has 14 hits so far in 2017.
SLASH
The Runnin' Bulldogs will 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. The Knoxville, Tenn., speedster will line up at quarterback, running back and receiver during regular sets offensively – and will also serve 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).
UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb will play on the road next week, taking the short drive to Spartanburg, S.C., to do battle with No. 9 Wofford on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 1:30 pm in Gibbs Stadium, with the game set to air live on ESPN3 (WatchESPN.com). The game is the first in a new four-game series. Wofford and Gardner-Webb met in consecutive seasons from 2012-2015, then took a season off before agreeing on another four-year set. The Terriers (2-0) are open this weekend after getting off to a perfect start in SoCon action through the first two weeks of the 2017 campaign. †
Gardner-Webb hosts high-powered Western Carolina on Saturday, with kickoff set for 6:05 pm in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium. The game will air live on WMYA (My 40) and the Big South Network (bigsouthsports.com), with Jason Patterson handling play-by-play and Tom Van Hoy serving as color analyst. Ansley Brock will handle sideline duties. Brendan Boylan and Tyler Helms will provide the call live on wgwg.org Saturday evening.
SERIES NOTES
Gardner-Webb and Western Carolina have met five times as senior colleges, with the Catamounts holding a 4-2 edge in the series, which started in 1983 ... The Catamounts advanced to the I-AA National Championship Game that season in Charleston, S.C. ... Gardner-Webb picked up its first win in the series in overtime, topping No. 25 Western Carolina by a 26-20 score in Boiling Springs on September 25, 2004 ... The two teams split a home-and-home set, with both winning on the road from 2009-2010 ... Gardner-Webb took a 27-20 win on September 9, 2009 in Cullowhee and Western Carolina took a 28-14 win on September 18, 2010 in Boiling Springs ... Western Carolina turned a 17-14 second-half lead into a 41-14 rout last September 10 in Cullowhee, rolling to 690 yards of total offense in the win ... The two teams also met once during the 1930s, with Gardner-Webb Junior College taking a 23-7 win in 1932.
A TOUGH SLATE INDEED
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 last week in Wyoming. This week's opponent, Western Carolina, is receiving votes, as are North Carolina Central, Kennesaw State and Monmouth. North Carolina A&T (#20), Wofford (#9), Liberty (#19) and Charleston Southern (#16) are all ranked this week.
HOME SWEET HOME
Gardner-Webb has been traditionally tough in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium, and have gone 14-10 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 10 home losses since 2013, including three of its last four, have come to nationally-ranked teams. Gardner-Webb lost its home opener to No. 20 North Carolina A&T on September 2.
THE HEAD COACHES
Gardner-Webb head coach Carroll McCray (Class of '83) returned to his alma mater in 2013 and has forged a 20-27 record so far in his time in Boiling Springs. Mark Speir (Clemson '90) is in his sixth season as head coach at Western Carolina, and has the program headed in the right direction. Speir is 20-39 in his six seasons, with a 7-4 record in 2015 putting WCU on the cusp of the FCS playoffs.
LONG RANGE
Gardner-Webb had no explosive plays in its loss to No. 25 North Carolina A&T, and only one at Wyoming, which is a break from a recent trend. GWU recorded 44 explosive plays last season, including six plays of 50+ yards. Tyrell Maxwell's 20-yard run deep in his own territory on a designed quarterback draw play is the lone explosive play for GWU so far in 2017.
BACK TO BASICS
Gardner-Webb was successful holding opponents out of the end zone on red zone trips in 2016, limiting the total to a 54-percent success rate in those instances. After a tough start to the season vs. North Carolina A&T, Gardner-Webb limited Wyoming to just one touchdown in three red zone trips in Week Two. The Cowboys drove deep twice and came away with only three points.
SOLID AGAINST THE RUN
Gardner-Webb held its third FBS opponent to less than 100 yards rushing on Saturday at Wyoming, limiting the Cowboys to just 65 yards on 28 carries – with Wyoming's starters in the game until the final snap. GWU also held Wake Forest (2014) and Georgia Tech (2008) below 100 yards rushing in FBS games. The 'Dogs are allowing just 91.0 yards rushing per game so far this season and have held 49 oppoents to less than 100 yards rushing in games since moving to NCAA Division I in 2000. GWU is 39-11 in those contests. Gardner-Webb ranks No. 22 nationally in rushing yards allowed so far this season.
BULLDOZERS
Gardner-Webb success running the football last season was paved by a strong offensive line, a unit that returns 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 has been 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.) will start 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.
A 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 projected starters in the front seven entering 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 another pair of standouts inside in Jeffrey Pegues (6-0, 208, Sr.) and Corey Horne (6-0, 221, Jr.). Horne and Pegues are the top two tacklers returning from 2016.
CATAMOUNTS CRUISING ON OFFENSE
Western Carolina enters Saturday night's game sporting the nation's top offensive unit statistically, averaging an eye-popping 630.0 yards of total offense per game through two contests. The Catamounts piled up 778 total yards – including 483 on the ground – in the rout of Davidson last weekend at home. Western Carolina was equally as impressive at Hawaii, outgaining the hosts Warriors 482-453 in a 41-18 loss. WCU is averaging 40.5 points per game, has already moved the chains for 56 first downs and are averaging a healthy 7.2 yards per carry on the ground. Sensational quarterback Tyrie Adams, who passed for 427 yards and five scores in last season's 41-14 win over Gardner-Webb, has been strong again so far in 2017. The St. Petersburg, Fla., sophomore has passed for 544 yards and six scores in two starts and has run for 106 yards to balance things out. All-America running back Detrez Newsome ran for 288 yards on 15 carries last week, and is averaging 157.5 yards per game in two starts. Backup running back Corey Holloway is averaging 97.5 yards per game on the ground.
KICKIN' IT
Gardner-Webb kicker Paul Schumacher (5-10, 177, Sr.) enjoyed a breakout season in 2016, earning second-team All-Big South Conference honors after connecting on 10-of-11 field goals and setting a new school-record with 23 touchbacks on kickoffs. He also booted home all 32 of his PAT kicks as a junior. The West Palm Beach, Fla., native kicked off twice in the 2017 season opener, with both going for touchbacks. His 25-yard field goal provided the lone points for Gardner-Webb in the game. He added another touchback on his lone kickoff at Wyoming, giving him 26 in the past 13 games.
DRIVING FOR IMPROVEMENT
Gardner-Webb has endured some early season struggles offensively in 2017, but showed significant improvement on that side of the ball at Wyoming – despite being held out of the end zone. GWU cranked up its rushing attack to the tune of 173 yards on 52 attempts, with 118 yards coming in the second half. The Runnin' Bulldogs were also able to sustain some drives, including an 18-play, 70-yard march that chewed 9:31 off the clock in the third quarter. In fact, GWU kept the ball away from Wyoming for all but 3:10 in the third quarter on just two drives. The 'Dogs held a slight advantage (30:38-29:22) in time of possession for the game. Rookie running back A.J. Moses (6-0, 220, Fr.) was a pleasant surprise, carrying 13 times for a season-best 54 yards in the game. The Griffin, Ga., native averaged a healthy 4.2 yards per rush – with a long gain of 13 yards.
MAXWELL'S MOMENT
The 2016 Big South Conference Offensive Player of the Year and Walter Payton Award finalist has not gotten off to a fast start in 2017, but plenty of season remains for quarterback Tyrell Maxwell (6-2, 231, Sr.) to regain his junior season form. The Orangeburg, S.C., native is the all-time leading rusher for his position in school and Big South Conference history, gaining 2,087 yards on the ground in four seasons. That ranks eighth in program history, just 55 yards shy of Kenny Little (2009-2012) for seventh position. Maxwell has also passed for 2,787 yards in his four seasons under center, which ranks 11th in program history.
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 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 had six stops in the season opener vs. #25 North Carolina A&T.
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.
THE MAN FROM MEMPHIS
Veteran defensive back Thomas Adams (6-2, 206, R-Sr.) has emerged as a team leader heading into his final campaign and is an All-Big South candidate at free safety. The versatile Memphis, Tenn., native has also started games with success at corner and has the size and ability to make an impact at either position. Adams finished the 2016 season with 35 total tackles, four pass break ups and a tackle for loss in nine games played. He has 14 hits so far in 2017.
SLASH
The Runnin' Bulldogs will 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. The Knoxville, Tenn., speedster will line up at quarterback, running back and receiver during regular sets offensively – and will also serve 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).
UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb will play on the road next week, taking the short drive to Spartanburg, S.C., to do battle with No. 9 Wofford on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 1:30 pm in Gibbs Stadium, with the game set to air live on ESPN3 (WatchESPN.com). The game is the first in a new four-game series. Wofford and Gardner-Webb met in consecutive seasons from 2012-2015, then took a season off before agreeing on another four-year set. The Terriers (2-0) are open this weekend after getting off to a perfect start in SoCon action through the first two weeks of the 2017 campaign. †
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