THE GAME
Gardner-Webb will travel a quick two hours up Interstate 26 to visit Johnson City, Tenn., and the red-hot ETSU Buccaneers on Saturday, October 6. Kickoff is set for 3:30 pm in Greene Stadium. The game will stream live on ESPN+, with David Jackson and Mark Hutsell on the call.
  
SERIES NOTES
Gardner-Webb holds a 2-1 overall edge in the series, with both wins coming in Boiling Springs (2002, 2015) ... ETSU won the lone meeting in Johnson City, taking a 30-17 win on September 8, 2001 in the Memorial Center ... Current ETSU athletics director Scott Carter bulled in for a pair of touchdowns in the game and ETSU color analyst Matt Wilhjelm connected on his first 11 passes ... Kicker Con Chellis sank three consecutive field goals in the second half to push a 21-17 lead to the final margin ... Gardner-Webb took a 28-3 win in the most recent meeting in Boiling Springs, getting 268 total yards and three touchdowns from quarterback Tyrell Maxwell on November 14, 2015 ... Saturday marks Gardner-Webb's first visit to Greene Stadium, which opened on campus in 2017 ... Hall of Fame quarterback Jeremy Martin completed his first 13 pass attempts for Gardner-Webb in the 2002 meeting.

SERIES HISTORY
09/08/01 – ETSU 30, GWU 17 (Johnson City, TN)
09/14/02 - GWU 13, ETSU 10 (Boiling Springs, NC)
11/14/15 - GWU 28, ETSU 3 (Boiling Springs, NC)

BABY BULLDOGS
Gardner-Webb played at least 20 true freshmen and redshirt freshmen in each of its first two games this season, and that number hasn't slacked off much since then – with GWU suiting up at least 15 freshman in each of its first five games. GWU has started eight different freshmen overall in 2018, including seven on defense. Heading into the ETSU game, a stunning 40.0% of the two-deep chart (18-of-45 spots) on offense and defense is made up of freshmen. Two more freshmen start on the eight-man specialist depth chart.

QUICK MOVE
Current backup nose guard David Wilson (6-3, 332, R-Fr.) found out he was moving from his reserve offensive line spot to defense on Thursday, September 27 during team stretch. The Hope Mills, N.C., native found himself on the field against No. 6 Wofford two days later and remains in the rotation at nose guard heading into Week Six. Wilson fared well against the Terriers statistically, making a pair of tackles and forcing a red zone fumble that Gardner-Webb recovered to thwart a deep Wofford drive. Wilson was one of seven freshmen on the field at once during several second-half series for the Gardner-Webb defense vs. Wofford.

SCOUTING THE BUCS
ETSU (4-1) is off to its best start since reviving its football program prior to the 2015 season ... The Buccaneers have knocked off SoCon stalwarts at home under first-year head coach Randy Sanders, rallying to stun Furman, 29-27, on 9/22 and holding off #20 Chattanooga, 17-14, last weekend ... Sanders has prior experience as coordinator at Tennessee and Florida State, among other stops ... Star pupils include Peyton Manning and Jameis Winston ... Veteran ETSU quarterback Austin Herink directed the comeback win over Furman and has been a regular in the lineup since 2015 ... Running back Quay Holmes is the top threat on the ground as a redshirt freshman ... A strong front seven, anchored by end Nasir Player and four-year starter Dylan Weigel at linebacker, plays well in the high-pressure system employed by veteran coordinator Billy Taylor ... The Bucs are up to 26th in the FCS Coaches Poll among others receiving votes.

THE HEAD COACHES
Gardner-Webb head coach Carroll McCray (Class of '83) returned to his alma mater in 2013 and is 22-40 so far in his time in Boiling Springs. Randy Sanders (Tennessee '89) is in his first season as a head coach and has the ETSU Buccaneers in first place in the SoCon standings (3-0) after a strong 4-1 overall start.

VOLUNTEERS
Gardner-Webb has four student-athletes from the State of Tennessee on its 2018 roster, with one a returning starter in receiver Brody Rollins (5-11, 185, Sr.). Rollins was a first-team Class 5A All-State choice at South Doyle High in Knoxville prior to joining the Runnin' Bulldogs as a quarterback. He also played in the Tennessee-Kentucky Border Bowl. Current backup quarterback Jaylen Myers (6-3, 185, R-Fr.) was a Class 3A All-State selection at Alcoa High in 2016, where he led his team to three state titles. Linebacker Kyndall Clark (6-2, 236, R-Fr.) earned first-team Class 5A All-State honors in 2016 at Oak Ridge High. Backup right tackle Cliff Cole (6-3, 295, R-Fr.) was a two-time All-County selection at Northview Academy near Morristown.

HIGH DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY
One season ago, Gardner-Webb entertained the nation's most difficult schedule according to the NCAA. In 2018, the Runnin' Bulldogs are tackling another very difficult slate, with two top-10 teams part of the non-conference schedule and 2017 playoff participants Kennesaw State and Monmouth on the Big South slate. All told, six of the nine Division I FCS opponents on the 2018 schedule were ranked at some point last season. Three – No. 3 Kennesaw State, No. 6 Wofford and No. 11 North Carolina A&T – are currently ranked. Charleston Southern, ETSU, Monmouth and Western Carolina have all received votes at least one week during the 2018 regular season so far.

SPEED DEMON
Receiver and return man Kyle Horton (5-11, 178, Sr.) is fully healthy in his final campaign and has proven to be a dangerous weapon so far – despite not reaching the end zone through the season's first three games. The former Mallard Creek (N.C.) High standout has hauled in 19 balls for 279 yards (14.7 yards per catch) and has remained a dynamic punt returner. Horton ranks No. 9 nationally with an average of 16.2 yards per return so far in 2018, bringing six punts back for 97 yards. He caught six passes for 96 yards at No. 5 North Carolina A&T and hauled in three balls for 61 yards vs. Western Carolina. Horton added five catches for 74 yards vs. No. 6 Wofford.

QUICK MOVE
Current backup nose guard David Wilson (6-3, 332, R-Fr.) found out he was moving from his reserve offensive line spot to defense on Thursday, September 27 during team stretch. The Hope Mills, N.C., native found himself on the field against No. 6 Wofford two days later and remains in the rotation at nose guard heading into Week Six. Wilson fared well against the Terriers statistically, making a pair of tackles and forcing a red zone fumble that Gardner-Webb recovered to thwart a deep Wofford drive. Wilson was one of seven freshmen on the field at once during several second-half series for the Gardner-Webb defense vs. Wofford.

BOOM 
First-year starter Tre' Jackson (5-10, 226, R-Jr.) has proven to be a powerful, and reliable, kicker through five games. The Newland, N.C., native has connected on all three of his field goal attempts this season, including a 41-yarder vs. Western Carolina (9/14) and a 40-yarder at No. 5 North Carolina A&T (9/8). He has been perfect on PAT kicks as well. Jackson's most impressive performance has come on kickoffs, where he has boomed 12-of-17 attempts into – or out of – the end zone for touchbacks. His 12 touchbacks are more than double the next highest total in the Big South so far this season.

FOOTBALL FAMILIES
Gardner-Webb features two families on its current roster with strong ties to college football. Nose guard Josh Ramseur (5-11, 286, R-Sr.), who will seek a medical redshirt in 2018, is one of five brothers in his family to play college football. Older brothers Kenneth (Gardner-Webb) and Tim (NC State) played collegiately in the 1990s, while brothers Tank (Tuskeegee) and Aaron (East Carolina) are currently on college rosters. Another set of brothers on Gardner-Webb's roster – Robert McKoy and Keante McNair – are part of a group of four brothers to play college football. Older siblings Terrell Manning (NC State) and Artemis Robinson (NC State) played collegiately, with Manning drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2012. Current GWU teammates and brothers Elijah Rodgers (Fr.) and Kobe Rodgers (R-So.) are both expected to garner significant snaps in the secondary this season for the Runnin' Bulldogs.

SYMMETRY
For the first time since moving up to NCAA Division I in 2000, Gardner-Webb will alternate home and road dates evenly throughout a season. GWU almost pulled off the feat in 2010, but played its final two games back-to-back at home in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium.

SEPTEMBER BLUES
Over the past two years, Gardner-Webb's overall record in September has been 1-8 (.111). Six of the losses (75.0%) have been to either top-25 FCS teams or FBS teams (Wyoming, Appalachian State). Three of the losses have come to teams ranked inside the top-10 nationally. GWU went 1-4 this season in September, with two of the losses coming to top-10 squads and another to a strong Appalachian State team receiving votes in the FBS Coaches Poll (32nd).

BIG BAD JOHN
Gardner-Webb defensive end John Singleton (6-5, 240, R-Fr.) was a bright spot at Sun Belt powerhouse Appalachian State on September 22, finishing the game with a career-high six stops (three solo) and a sack. Singleton came through with another big game vs. No. 6 Wofford, coming off the edge for a career-high 10 total stops. The former Middle Creek (N.C.) High standout and Shrine Bowler currently ranks second in the Big South Conference with 2.0 sacks through five starts in 2018.

NEW FACES ON STAFF
Gardner-Webb has three new coaches on its 2018 staff. Inside linebackers coach Taylor Anderson and running backs coach Arketa Banks each joined the Runnin' Bulldogs prior to spring practice. Anderson came to GWU after assistant coaching stops at Limestone and Valdosta State, and Banks came to GWU from former SAC rival Lenoir-Rhyne. Outside linebackers coach Marco Butler came on board during the summer months from Catawba. Anderson (North Greenville), Banks (Elon) and Butler (Western Carolina) each played collegiately at schools in the region.

MORE MOVES
Gardner-Webb was forced to make additional position moves last week due to injuries, particularly on the defensive side. Three-star safety Malachi Buckner (6-1, 200, Fr.) moved up to the SPUR linebacker spot on the depth chart and saw significant snaps against No. 6 Wofford. Buckner finished with three solo stops, one tackle for loss and a forced fumble in the game – with the fumble leading to a GWU touchdown on the ensuing drive. The former Tucker (Ga.) High standout is a natural at the position and is in line for even more playing time in October. 

ESPN+
The Big South Conference entered into an agreement to provide content for ESPN+ (ESPNPlus.com) beginning last spring, and that presents a new platform for Gardner-Webb football going forward. The Big South Network on ESPN+ will air a minimum of 900 events annually as part of the agreement, which runs through the 2024-2025 season. During football season, a total of 33 events will stream on ESPN platforms, with eight league games on ESPN3 and 25 on ESPN+.  Five of Gardner-Webb's six home games will stream on ESPN+, while the October 13 game vs. Kennesaw State will stream on ESPN3 as part of the Big South's "Game of the Week" selection. The October 29 road game at Campbell will also be carried by ESPN3, while the remainder of Gardner-Webb's Big South games will stream on ESPN+. Non-conference games at ETSU and Appalachian State  will also stream live on ESPN+.

ENGINE NO. 9
Gardner-Webb saw a freshman start its season opener for the first time since moving to NCAA Division I football on September 1, as Jordan Smith (6-1, 211, R-Fr.) took the game's first snap against Limestone. The Fruit Cove, Fla., native has started each of the first five games and has started to look more comfortable under center. Smith has completed 50.4 percent of his 135 attempts for 773 yards and three touchdowns – with all three touchdowns coming over the last two weeks. He tossed a pair of scores against No. 6 Wofford (9/29).

RAMSEUR OUT
Preseason All-Big South nose guard Josh Ramseur (5-11, 286, R-Sr.) will miss the entire 2018 season after undergoing offseason surgery, but will apply for a medical redshirt and a sixth year of eligibility for 2019. The former Burns (N.C.) High standout totaled 50 tackles as a redshirt junior and is expected to make a full recovery. The bright spot in the extended career is that Ramseur will have a chance to play against his youngest brother – Aaron Ramseur – when Gardner-Webb travels to East Carolina on September 7, 2019.

HIT MAN
Mike linebacker Corey Horne (6-1, 225, Sr.) has been a mature force for Gardner-Webb's young defense so far this season, pacing the Big South Conference with 47 total tackles (33 solo). His 16 stops vs. Western Carolina were a new career-high total, breaking the mark set one week earlier when he had 12 tackles at No. 5 North Carolina A&T (9/8). Horne, who is in his second full season as a starter, ranks No. 9 nationally in solo tackles per game (6.6).

OLD FACES, NEW PLACES
Gardner-Webb moved a pair of players to full-time slot receiver prior to the 2018 season and those moves have been well received so far. Former running back Jonathan Blackmon (6-1, 186, Sr.) caught a career-best nine balls at Appalachian State and leads the team with 19 catches so far this season. The Fayetteville, N.C., native was an accomplished high school receiver before signing with Gardner-Webb as a running back prior to the 2015 season. Former quarterback Brody Rollins (5-11, 185, Sr.) led Gardner-Webb in receptions last season – despite splitting time at his old position and as a kickoff return man – and provides another excellent option for GWU's young quarterbacks. The Knoxville, Tenn., native missed three games with an injury early in September, but is back in the lineup heading into October action.

UP NEXT
The Runnin' Bulldogs return home to face their third top-10 team of the season, hosting No. 3 Kennesaw State at 1:30 pm in Spangler Stadium. The game marks Homecoming Weekend in Boiling Springs, with the football action set for live streaming on ESPN3. Fabian Fuentes and former Notre Dame and NFL standout Renaldo Wynn will call the action, with Brendan Boylan handling sideline duties. †