BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb University announced its 2019 football schedule Tuesday, with five home dates on tap in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium.

The Runnin' Bulldogs open the season on Saturday, August 31, at Conference USA member Charlotte, visiting the Queen City for the first time since 2013. A date with East Carolina follows on September 7, marking the first meeting between the 'Dogs and Pirates in football.

Gardner-Webb's home opener is set for September 14, with North Carolina Central coming to town for an in-state battle in Spangler Stadium. The meeting with the Eagles is the lone non-conference home game on the slate.

The Runnin' Bulldogs face challenging road tests at regional rivals Wofford (Sept. 21) and Western Carolina (Oct. 5) to close out non-conference play.

The Big South Conference officially released its 2019 schedule as well Tuesday, with Gardner-Webb hosting three of six league games with the addition of Hampton and North Alabama to the mix.

Gardner-Webb opens league play with Hampton at home, hosting the Pirates on October 12 in Boiling Springs. It will be Hampton's first visit to Spangler Stadium since 2005. GWU will also have Big South home dates with Campbell (Oct. 26), Charleston Southern (Nov. 2) and North Alabama (Nov. 16).

Gardner-Webb will travel to Monmouth on October 19, marking the first time the game will be played between the Hawks and Runnin' Bulldogs before the month of November. Road games at Presbyterian (Nov. 9) and defending league champion Kennesaw State (Nov. 23) wrap up the 12-game regular season.

Game times will be announced at a later date.

Aug. 31 – at Charlotte
Sep. 07 – at East Carolina
Sep. 14 – N.C. CENTRAL 
Sep. 21 – at Wofford
Oct. 05 – at Western Carolina
Oct. 12 – HAMPTON *
Oct. 19 – at Monmouth *
Oct. 26 – CAMPBELL *
Nov. 02 – CHARLESTON SOUTHERN *
Nov. 09 – at Presbyterian *
Nov. 16 – NORTH ALABAMA *
Nov. 23 – at Kennesaw State *