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GAME NOTES: Top-10 Test Awaits @GWUFootball Saturday At Wofford
September 22, 2017 | Football
THE GAME
Gardner-Webb visits Spartanburg, S.C., for a game against a top-25 foe for the second time in four weeks – battling No. 9 Wofford at 1:30 pm in Gibbs Stadium (13,000). The game will air live on ESPN3 (WatchESPN), with a kickoff time of 1:34 pm. Mark Hauser (Play-by-Play) and Thom Henson (Color Analysis) will handle the call from the press box. It is Gardner-Webb's first visit to Spartanburg for a day game since 2004.
SERIES NOTES
Gardner-Webb and Wofford have met 25 times previously, beginning in 1972 ... The Terriers hold a 17-8 edge in the all-time series, including a 16-0 win in the most recent meeting (9/26/15 in Spartanburg) ... Gardner-Webb captured its most recent wins in the series in 2013 (Spartanburg) and 2014 (Boiling Springs) ... Each of the last two games in Gibbs Stadium have been played at night and in a steady rain, with the two teams combining for only one touchdown in those two contests ... The Terriers own a 10-3 edge in the series when games are played in Spartanburg (4-1 in Gibbs Stadium) ... Saturday's game is the first of a new four-game series, with two games scheduled for Gibbs Stadium and two at Spangler Stadium in Boiling Springs, N.C. ... The two teams did not play in 2016 after a four-year series that began in 2012.
THE HEAD COACHES
Gardner-Webb head coach Carroll McCray (Class of '83) returned to his alma mater in 2013 and has forged a 20-29 record so far in his time in Boiling Springs. Mike Ayers (Georgetown '74) is in his 30th season as head coach at Wofford, and sits at 199 wins during his tenure in Spartanburg heading into Saturday's game. Ayers has 210 wins overall as a college head coach.
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. Wofford is the second ranked team GWU has played already this season. The Terriers (#9), Liberty (#16) and North Carolina A&T (#20) are ranked this week. Charleston Southern, North Carolina Central, Western Carolina, Kennesaw State and Monmouth are each receiving votes this week.
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. The 'Dogs had three such plays against Western Carolina, with quarterback Tyrell Maxwell (6-2, 231, Sr.) part of each so far in 2017. GWU recorded 44 explosive plays last season, including six plays of 50+ yards.
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. Team's are 13-of-13 in red zone trips against the 'Dogs through three games in 2017, with an 81.0% touchdown success rate during that stretch.
RUN DEFENSE WILL BE TESTED AGAIN
Gardner-Webb saw Western Carolina dash for 211 yards on the ground last week, with All-America back Detrez Newsome's 84-yard touchdown jaunt providing a large chunk of that total. GWU entered the game allowing just 91.0 yards per game on the ground vs. No. 25 North Carolina A&T and FBS Wyoming and is allowing 133 yards per game after the WCU contest. GWU will face a more difficult task in Week Four, as Wofford's triple option attack traditionally ranks among the top-5 nationally in rushing yards per game
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.
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.
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, and came through with nine kicking points vs. Western Carolina (9/16), nailing a career-long, 44-yard field goal as the first half clock expired. He also had another touchback. Schumacher's lone field goal miss over the past two seasons – a game-tying kick in overtime – was blocked last October at Liberty.
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. Gardner-Webb also had a TOP advantage vs. Western Carolina, and rushed for 229 yards on 45 carries. The Runnin' Bulldogs held the football for 33:32 in the game, including nearly 10 minutes (9:46) in the first quarter.
MR. MAXWELL
The 2016 Big South Conference Offensive Player of the Year and Walter Payton Award finalist recorded his ninth career 100-yard rushing game vs. Western Carolina, gaining 111 yards on 16 carries – with a 34-yard touchdown run. Tyrell Maxwell (6-2, 231, Sr.) also passed for 139 yards and a score in the game. The Orangeburg, S.C., native is the all-time leading rusher for his position in school and Big South Conference history, gaining 2,198 yards on the ground in four seasons. That ranks seventh in program history, Maxwell has also passed for 2,926 yards in his four seasons under center, which ranks 11th in program history. He is on track to become the first quarterback in Big South or GWU history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 2,500 yards.
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 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 LINEBACKER
Veteran linebacker Kenyatta Dunbar (5-11, 214, Sr.) has been strong so far in 2017, leading the Big South and ranking among the national leaders with 7.0 tackles for loss (minus-30 yards) through three games. He had 4.0 hits behind the line at Wyoming and finished with 3.0 TFL and two sacks vs. Western Carolina. Dunbar also leads the Runnin' Bulldogs with 24 total tackles (16 solo), leading a very experienced linebacker corps.
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.
UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb will enjoy its lone open date of the 2017 regular season next weekend, before returning home to host Division II Shorter (Ga.) on Saturday, October 7, at 1:30 pm. That game is part of Homecoming Weekend in Boiling Springs, and will be the first football meeting between the two schools. The Runnin' Bulldogs will close out the non-conference slate at defending MEAC champion North Carolina Central (Oct. 14), before beginning Big South play at surging Kennesaw State (Oct. 21). †
Gardner-Webb visits Spartanburg, S.C., for a game against a top-25 foe for the second time in four weeks – battling No. 9 Wofford at 1:30 pm in Gibbs Stadium (13,000). The game will air live on ESPN3 (WatchESPN), with a kickoff time of 1:34 pm. Mark Hauser (Play-by-Play) and Thom Henson (Color Analysis) will handle the call from the press box. It is Gardner-Webb's first visit to Spartanburg for a day game since 2004.
SERIES NOTES
Gardner-Webb and Wofford have met 25 times previously, beginning in 1972 ... The Terriers hold a 17-8 edge in the all-time series, including a 16-0 win in the most recent meeting (9/26/15 in Spartanburg) ... Gardner-Webb captured its most recent wins in the series in 2013 (Spartanburg) and 2014 (Boiling Springs) ... Each of the last two games in Gibbs Stadium have been played at night and in a steady rain, with the two teams combining for only one touchdown in those two contests ... The Terriers own a 10-3 edge in the series when games are played in Spartanburg (4-1 in Gibbs Stadium) ... Saturday's game is the first of a new four-game series, with two games scheduled for Gibbs Stadium and two at Spangler Stadium in Boiling Springs, N.C. ... The two teams did not play in 2016 after a four-year series that began in 2012.
THE HEAD COACHES
Gardner-Webb head coach Carroll McCray (Class of '83) returned to his alma mater in 2013 and has forged a 20-29 record so far in his time in Boiling Springs. Mike Ayers (Georgetown '74) is in his 30th season as head coach at Wofford, and sits at 199 wins during his tenure in Spartanburg heading into Saturday's game. Ayers has 210 wins overall as a college head coach.
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. Wofford is the second ranked team GWU has played already this season. The Terriers (#9), Liberty (#16) and North Carolina A&T (#20) are ranked this week. Charleston Southern, North Carolina Central, Western Carolina, Kennesaw State and Monmouth are each receiving votes this week.
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. The 'Dogs had three such plays against Western Carolina, with quarterback Tyrell Maxwell (6-2, 231, Sr.) part of each so far in 2017. GWU recorded 44 explosive plays last season, including six plays of 50+ yards.
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. Team's are 13-of-13 in red zone trips against the 'Dogs through three games in 2017, with an 81.0% touchdown success rate during that stretch.
RUN DEFENSE WILL BE TESTED AGAIN
Gardner-Webb saw Western Carolina dash for 211 yards on the ground last week, with All-America back Detrez Newsome's 84-yard touchdown jaunt providing a large chunk of that total. GWU entered the game allowing just 91.0 yards per game on the ground vs. No. 25 North Carolina A&T and FBS Wyoming and is allowing 133 yards per game after the WCU contest. GWU will face a more difficult task in Week Four, as Wofford's triple option attack traditionally ranks among the top-5 nationally in rushing yards per game
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.
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.
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, and came through with nine kicking points vs. Western Carolina (9/16), nailing a career-long, 44-yard field goal as the first half clock expired. He also had another touchback. Schumacher's lone field goal miss over the past two seasons – a game-tying kick in overtime – was blocked last October at Liberty.
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. Gardner-Webb also had a TOP advantage vs. Western Carolina, and rushed for 229 yards on 45 carries. The Runnin' Bulldogs held the football for 33:32 in the game, including nearly 10 minutes (9:46) in the first quarter.
MR. MAXWELL
The 2016 Big South Conference Offensive Player of the Year and Walter Payton Award finalist recorded his ninth career 100-yard rushing game vs. Western Carolina, gaining 111 yards on 16 carries – with a 34-yard touchdown run. Tyrell Maxwell (6-2, 231, Sr.) also passed for 139 yards and a score in the game. The Orangeburg, S.C., native is the all-time leading rusher for his position in school and Big South Conference history, gaining 2,198 yards on the ground in four seasons. That ranks seventh in program history, Maxwell has also passed for 2,926 yards in his four seasons under center, which ranks 11th in program history. He is on track to become the first quarterback in Big South or GWU history to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 2,500 yards.
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 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 LINEBACKER
Veteran linebacker Kenyatta Dunbar (5-11, 214, Sr.) has been strong so far in 2017, leading the Big South and ranking among the national leaders with 7.0 tackles for loss (minus-30 yards) through three games. He had 4.0 hits behind the line at Wyoming and finished with 3.0 TFL and two sacks vs. Western Carolina. Dunbar also leads the Runnin' Bulldogs with 24 total tackles (16 solo), leading a very experienced linebacker corps.
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.
UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb will enjoy its lone open date of the 2017 regular season next weekend, before returning home to host Division II Shorter (Ga.) on Saturday, October 7, at 1:30 pm. That game is part of Homecoming Weekend in Boiling Springs, and will be the first football meeting between the two schools. The Runnin' Bulldogs will close out the non-conference slate at defending MEAC champion North Carolina Central (Oct. 14), before beginning Big South play at surging Kennesaw State (Oct. 21). †
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