THE GAME
Gardner-Webb hosts No. 2 Kennesaw State on Saturday, October 13 as part of 2018 Homecoming Weekend in Boiling Springs. The game will stream live on ESPN3 (WatchESPN), with Fabian Fuentes and former Notre Dame and NFL standout Renaldo Wynn calling the action. Brendan Boylan will handle sideline duties. Kickoff is set for 1:30 pm in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium.
  
SERIES NOTES
Kennesaw State holds a 3-0 edge in the brief series, which started in 2015 during the Owls' inaugural season on the gridiron ... The average margin of victory for Kennesaw State in the series to date has been 9.0 ppg ... The two teams combined for 991 total yards, including 582 on the ground, in the Owls' first visit to Spangler Stadium in 2016 ... Kennesaw State won that shootout by a 47-39 margin ... Saturday will mark the third time in four meetings that the two teams have played live on ESPN3 (2015, 2017, 2018) ... Owls' head coach Brian Bohannon started his coaching career at Gardner-Webb in 1996, serving one season as the receivers coach for the Runnin' Bulldogs under head coach Woody Fish ... Kennesaw State freshman quarterback Tye Mintz is the son of former Gardner-Webb All-America defensive lineman Chris Mintz (1997-1999).

SERIES HISTORY
October 17, 2015 – KSU 12, GWU 7 (Kennesaw, Ga.)
October 22, 2016 – KSU 47, GWU 39 (Boiling Springs)
October 21, 2017 – KSU 17, GWU 3 (Kennesaw, Ga.)

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 10 different freshmen overall in 2018, including eight on defense. Heading into this week's Homecoming Game, a stunning 45.5% of the two-deep chart (20-of-44 spots) on offense and defense is made up of freshmen. Two more freshmen start on the eight-man specialist depth chart.

HALL OF FAME 2018
Gardner-Webb will induct three new members into its Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday evening, and will honor that trio, prior to kickoff on Saturday afternoon. Swimmer Taylor Simpson Jackson (2002-2006), basketball standout Thomas Sanders (2006-2008) and three-sport star Jerry Walker (1959-1961) will be inducted. Walker played football, basketball and ran track during his time in Boiling Springs. Simpson Jackson was a two-time Academic All-America selection and 12-time conference champion in the pool. Sanders averaged a double-double his senior season to earn Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year honors and honorable mention All-America accolades. Gardner-Webb will also honor longtime Shelby Star sports editor Alan Ford with its Meritorious Service Award. Ford covered the Runnin' Bulldogs for more than 30 years during his time at the Star.

THE HEAD COACHES
Gardner-Webb head coach Carroll McCray (Class of '83) returned to his alma mater in 2013 and is 22-41 so far in his time in Boiling Springs. Brian Bohannon (Georgia '93) built the Kennesaw State program from the ground up and has gone 31-11 so far in his fourth season. Bohannon was named 2017 AFCA National Coach of the Year at the FCS level.

MORE FRESHMEN NOTES
Gardner-Webb has compiled  32 total freshmen starts so far in 2018, including six each by quarterback Jordan Smith, defensive end John Singleton and punter Crimmins Hankinson ... Exactly half of the 32 freshmen starts this season have come from the State of Georgia (16) ... Other states represented are North Carolina (10) and Florida (6) ... Seven starts have come from former North Carolina Shrine Bowlers Singleton (6) and Matt Robinson (1).

ENGINE NO. 9
Quarterback Jordan Smith (6-1, 211, R-Fr.) has started each of the first six games in 2018 and has seen several bright spots along the way. The Fruit Cove, Fla., has been at his best when faced with second or third down – and medium yardage. In those situations, he has gone 9-of-12 (75.0%) with seven first-down completions. Smith has passed for 915 yards and three scores so far in 2018, scrambling out of pressure despite 21 sacks registered by the opposition to date.

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, ranking No. 6 nationally after games of October 7. No other Big South program's schedule is currently rated in the top-25 in terms of difficulty. GWU will be the first team in the FCS this season to do battle with three top-10 teams when No. 2 Kennesaw State comes to town. The 'Dogs have already fallen to No. 5 North Carolina A&T and No. 6 Wofford in prior weeks. Four of Gardner-Webb's first five FCS opponents this season are currently ranked in the top-25 (No. 2 Kennesaw State, No. 4 Wofford, No. 10 North Carolina A&T and No. 23 ETSU). Four more – Campbell, Charleston Southern, Monmouth and Western Carolina – have each received votes at least one week during the 2018 regular season.

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 six games. The former Mallard Creek (N.C.) High standout has hauled in 23 balls for 305 yards (13.3 yards per catch) and has remained a dynamic punt returner. Horton ranks No. 4 nationally with an average of 18.4 yards per return so far in 2018, bringing eight punts back for 147 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. He also saw snaps at ETSU (10/6) at nose guard.

BOOM BOOM
First-year starter Tre' Jackson (5-10, 226, R-Jr.) has proven to be a powerful kicker through six games. The Newland, N.C., native has connected on three of his four 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-19 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 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).

FUTURE SCHEDULES
Gardner-Webb has added a handful of future FBS opponents for coming seasons, beginning with back-to-back games to open the 2019 campaign at Charlotte and East Carolina. With the addition of Hampton and North Alabama to the Big South slate, Gardner-Webb's 2019 schedule is complete. In addition to Charlotte, East Carolina, Gardner-Webb will have 2019 non-conference dates with North Carolina Central, Wofford and Western Carolina. GWU will play two future FBS games against nearby foes, traveling to face Georgia Tech in 2020 and Liberty in 2022.

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. Buckner made his first start at ETSU (10/6).

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+.

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. The former Middle Creek (N.C.) High standout followed that effort up with a career-high 10 total stops vs. No. 6 Wofford (9/29). Singleton, who has started all six games this season, has posted 24 tackles and 2.0 sacks during his first season on the field.

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 56 total tackles (38 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. 10 nationally in solo tackles per game (6.3). 

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 is tied for the team lead with 23 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
Gardner-Webb welcomes a much needed open date to the schedule on October 20 after seven-straight weeks of a tough 2018 schedule. GWU returns to action the following week on the road, traveling to face in-state foe Campbell for the first time in the sport of football since the two started playing at the senior college level. The two teams played 10 times during their respective junior college eras, with the Camels owning a 4-3-3 series edge. Gardner-Webb won the last meeting on November 11, 1950 by a 12-6 score in Buies Creek. †