GREENSBORO, N.C. – Fifth-ranked North Carolina A&T used big plays in all three phases to pull away Saturday night, topping Gardner-Webb 45-6 at BB&T Stadium.

The win was the 15th in a row for North Carolina A&T (3-0), which also has wins this season over No. 6 Jacksonville State and FBS East Carolina.

Leading just 7-3 with 4:37 left before halftime, the Aggies got a 78-yard punt return for a score from Kashon Baker to regain momentum after being intercepted near midfield just three plays earlier.

Gardner-Webb (1-1) was able to mount a rally, but the drive stalled before Tre Jackson booted a 40-yard field goal to trim the lead to 14-6 with 2:15 on the second quarter clock. A&T was able to get back into field goal range quickly, however, and Noel Ruiz drained a 43-yard field goal as time expired for a 17-6 halftime lead.

The Aggies' defense changed momentum squarely in the third quarter. Defensive end Darryl Johnson screamed off the edge to get a piece of Jordan Smith's pass on the first drive of the half and it was picked off deep in GWU territory. North Carolina A&T capped that quick change with a short touchdown pass from Lamar Raynard and Gardner-Webb was unable to regain any footing the rest of the way.

An 89-yard drive midway through the third ended with a Raynard quarterback sneak and a 31-6 lead with 5:03 left in the quarter – and touchdown runs from Jah-Maine Martin (42 yards) and Kashon Baker (one yard) in the fourth quarter capped the scoring.

Gardner-Webb was held to 14 yards rushing in the game, with four second-half sacks contributing to that total. GWU had minus-22 yards on the ground over the final 20 minutes. The Aggies held a 457-206 edge in total offense, which included a 283-yard effort on the ground.

Marquell Cartwright rumbled for 119 yards on 15 carries, and Martin had 93 yards and two scores off the bench. Raynard finished 14-of-24 for 125 yards and a touchdown to go with an interception.

Gardner-Webb quarterback Jordan Smith stood tall for much of the night, despite a fierce pass rush, and finished 14-of-29 for 192 yards with an interception. His favorite target was Kyle Horton, who caught six passes for 96 yards. Braylin Collins (3-45) and Adonus Lee (3-38) also caught multiple passes on the night.

Jayln Cagle led the ground game, carrying 11 times for 27 yards. Gardner-Webb did play the game without leading receiver Brody Rollins, who was injured vs. Limestone in the season opener.

Corey Horne finished with 12 total tackles (nine solo) and Devin Mines finished with 10 stops (eight solo) to lead the defense. Robert McKoy finished with eight stops, 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Triston Dozier finished with three solo stops, a 20-yard interception return and three pass break ups in the secondary.

Gardner-Webb will get back home on Saturday, September 15 to host Western Carolina (1-0). The Catamounts and Runnin' Bulldogs will kick off at 6:00 pm in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium.