BOILING SPRINGS – Quarterback Lamar Raynard passed for a career-high 341 yards and accounted for four touchdowns to lead No. 25 North Carolina A&T to a 45-3 win over Gardner-Webb in both teams' season opener.

The Aggies (1-0) scored on their first three drives and five of their six drives in the opening half to break the game open early. A defensive effort that forced six punts and had an interception on Gardner-Webb's initial seven drives of the half tilted the field in North Carolina A&T's favor.

Gardner-Webb (0-1) did not cross midfield until 12:47 remained in the fourth quarter, and saw North Carolina A&T hold a 458-114 edge in total offense for the game. It was GWU's lowest yardage output since a 110-yard effort vs. No. 20 Charleston Southern on October 24, 2015.

Raynard's eight-yard dash up the middle pushed the Aggies' lead to 13-0 with 4:25 remaining in the first quarter and Gardner-Webb appeared to catch a break when Triston Dozier broke through for a blocked extra point and Thomas Adams scooped the loose ball and raced the other way for two points.

The call was reversed by replay, however, to keep the shutout intact. Dozier blocked two extra points in the game.

Raynard connected on a 61-yard strike with Malik Wilson for a 19-0 lead and found 6-foot-2, 221-pound receiver Elijah Bell on touchdown passes of 35 and eight yards to extend the lead to 33-0 at the break.

A short run by Jaquil Capel with 5:20 left in the third quarter capped a 16-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that chewed 9:40 off the game clock and put the Aggies in front 39-0. 

All-America punt return man Khris Gardin continued a strong night moments later, taking a punt back 88 yards for a 45-0 lead.

Gardner-Webb finally got on the board with 8:35 to play, with Paul Schumacher connecting on a 25-yard field goal to cap a 59-yard scoring march that took 14 plays. Schumacher also put both of his kickoffs in the end zone for touchbacks.

In addition to Raynard's passing, North Carolina A&T got 58 yards and a score on 19 carries from running back Marquell Cartwright. Capel was Raynard's favorite receiver, catching five balls for 91 yards. Bell had five catches for 71 yards and a pair of scores, in addition to a two-point conversion.

Gardin was electric in the return game, taking back five punts for 150 yards and his touchdown. He had an 80-yard return negated earlier in the game by an illegal block – and had a pair of receptions for 33 yards en route to 183 all-purpose yards on just seven touches.

Richie Kittles led the defense with seven tackles. The Aggies combined for 9.0 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.

Gardner-Webb averaged just 2.2 yards per play in a surprising night offensively, which saw GWU gain just 80 yards on the ground – and manage only eight first downs.

Preseason Big South Conference Offensive Player the Year Tyrell Maxwell had little room to operate – running or passing – and finished 6-of-15 for 34 yards through the air with an interception on a tipped ball. He was sacked twice and ran just 14 times for a net total of 11 yards.

Kerry Bernard led the run game with 28 yards on 12 carries and Jayln Cagle managed 26 yards on just four attempts.

Safeties Thomas Adams (eight hits) and Devin Mines (seven hits) had busy nights in the secondary. Kenyatta Dunbar made seven stops from his linebacker spot.

Gardner-Webb will face a daunting task next week, traveling to face Wyoming (0-1) at 4:00 pm ET in Laramie. The Cowboys feature future NFL first rounder Josh Allen at quarterback and are coming off a 24-3 loss at Iowa.