THE GAME
Gardner-Webb opens its 2019 season on the road in FBS territory, taking the short drive up I-85 to play the Charlotte 49ers. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm in Richardson Stadium. The game will stream live on ESPN+, with Bobby Rosinski and Reggie Walker on the call. The game will also air on WGNC AM 1450 and FM 101.1, with Dave Friedman handling play-by-play and Marc Rabb serving as analyst.
  
SERIES NOTES
The series is tied, 1-1, with both teams meeting during Charlotte's brief FCS phase from 2013-2014 ... Both games were competitive, with the average margin of victory a scant 2.5 points ... Gardner-Webb led 45-24 at the start of the fourth quarter in its last visit to Richardson Stadium, but saw Charlotte rally for 22 unanswered points to take a late lead. GWU scored with less than a minute left, but a failed two-pointer resulted in a 53-51 road loss ... The two teams have combined for 2,026 yards of total offense in the two previous meetings ... Gardner-Webb has averaged 511.5 yards per game in the two meetings, while Charlotte has clicked to the tune of 501.5 yards per game.

SERIES HISTORY
October 5, 2013 (L, 53-51, Charlotte, N.C.)
October 4, 2014 (W, 27-24, Boiling Springs, N.C.)

AGAINST C-USA
Gardner-Webb is an even 5-5 in its history against current football members of Conference USA, with all 10 meetings coming against the current East Division ... The Runnin' Bulldogs have wins over Western Kentucky (1987), Florida Atlantic (2001), Florida International (2002, 2003) and Charlotte (2013) prior to those programs move from FCS (I-AA) to FBS (I-A) ... That mark includes a 3-0 ledger at home in Spangler Stadium (FAU, FIU, Charlotte).

QUEEN CITY CONNECTIONS
Five men on Gardner-Webb's current roster played their high school football in Charlotte, N.C., and 12 more played within an hour's drive of the city. Preseason All-Big South Conference linebacker Darien Reynolds (6-0, 224, Jr.) starred at Vance High, earning Shrine Bowl honors as a senior. Deonte Grier (5-11, 172, R-So.), Adonis Henderson (6-1, 174, Fr.) and Devin Mines (5-10, 190, Sr.) all played at Mallard Creek High and tight end Patrick Bloomingburg (6-2, 229, Fr.) was a two-sport standout at Providence High.

YOUTHFUL 2018 ADDS EXPERIENCE TO 2019
Gardner-Webb relied heavily on freshmen during the 2018 season due to a rash of injuries in the preseason and during the regular season, but that early usage led to plenty of experience returning in 2019. Overall, the Runnin' Bulldogs saw freshmen earn 57 starts in 2018, with quarterback Jordan Smith (6-1, 214) and defensive end John Singleton (6-5, 237) each starting 11 games. Singleton will challenge for All-America honors in 2019 after earning Big South Defensive Freshman of the Year honors last season.

THE HEAD COACHES
Gardner-Webb's Carroll McCray is in his seventh season as head coach of his alma mater. The Monroe, N.C., native has forged 24 wins so far in Boiling Springs, including five wins over top-20 teams. Will Healey is in his first season as head coach at Charlotte after leading a notable rebuilding project at Division I FCS member Austin Peay..

OPENING ON THE ROAD
Gardner-Webb's last win on the road in a season opener came in 2016, when the Runnin' Bulldogs whipped Elon, 31-6, in Rhodes Stadium. Gardner-Webb's last road opener at an FBS opponent came in 2015, a solid showing in a 33-23 loss at South Alabama in Mobile. Since moving to NCAA Division I in 2000, the Runnin' Bulldogs are 4-5 when opening a season on the road.

FBS GAMES
Gardner-Webb played its first game against an FBS opponent in 2007, traveling to Ohio University and Mississippi State. The Runnin' Bulldogs are 1-14 in games against FBS foes since then, with the lone win coming in a 38-37 overtime thriller at Akron on September 11, 2010. The 'Dogs had another near miss on October 11, 2008 in a 10-7 loss to Georgia Tech.

#1
Gardner-Webb has another All-America candidate at linebacker, with Darien Reynolds (6-0, 224, Jr.) poised for another strong season at the MIKE position. The Charlotte, N.C., native will be the first linebacker to wear jersey #1 since Gardner-Webb made its move to Division I football in 2000 and is coming off of a breakout year on the field. Reynolds came alive in 2018 to post 75 total tackles, earning second-team All-Conference honors in his first season as a starter. The former Vance (N.C.) High star garnered preseason first-team All-Big South honors in July.

NEW FACES ON TWO DEEP
Gardner-Webb will have only seven players making their first career start on Thursday night, but have 17 men in their first year with the program – either freshmen or transfers – who are listed on the first game's depth chart. Only tight end A.J. Alexander (6-3, 255, Gr.) and receiver Chuma Awanna (6-3, 217, Gr.) will be first-year players in the starting lineup against Charlotte.

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY
Gardner-Webb welcomed transfers from five different colleges during the summer months adding tight end A.J. Alexander (6-3, 255, Gr.) from Ohio State, receiver Chuma Awanna (6-3, 217, Gr.) from Norfolk State, defensive lineman Aaron Griffith (6-0, 289, Gr.) from Middle Tennessee State, quarterback Kalen Whitlow (6-1, 195, Gr.) from Tennessee State and cornerback Dameon Williams (5-11, 175, R-So.) from Georgia Tech. Four of the five have already earned degrees from their previous schools. Alexander (four-star), Whitlow (three-star) and Williams (three-star) were each highly regarded prep recruits.

D-LINE DEPTH
After toiling with an inexperienced front three last season due to injuries, defensive line coach Dennis Thomas has the luxury of seasoned depth within his unit in 2019. The starting unit of Josh Ramseur (5-11, 292, Gr.), John Singleton (6-5, 237, R-So.) and Janathian Turner (6-3, 306, So.) is perhaps Gardner-Webb's most gifted since the All-Big South trio of O.J. Mau, Preston Pemasa and Shaquille Riddick in 2013. The unit goes at least 11 deep, with five men already starting at least one game during their career.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT ME
One of Gardner-Webb's most underrated defensive standouts is ready to make a more visible impact in 2019. Linebacker Shai Thomas (6-2, 256, Jr.) put up All-Big South quality numbers last season, collecting 68 total tackles, a team-high 8.0 tackles for loss and two defensive touchdowns. The Anderson, S.C., native has continued to pack on muscle over the past two seasons, and enjoyed an outstanding 2019 training camp. Thomas will once again man the BANDIT position for the Runnin' Bulldogs.

MR. SMITH
Quarterback Jordan Smith (6-1, 214, R-So.) enters his second season under center with plenty of experience after starting all 11 games in 2018. The St. Augustine, Fla., native learned plenty of lessons one season ago as a rookie and came on strong late in the season. Smith was strong again during spring practice and training camp, and has a brand new – and more athletic – group of receivers to play catch with in 2019. The former Bartram Trail (Fla.) High standout was named Big South Freshman of the Week twice last season during league play.

ANOTHER ONE FROM SUMMERVILLE
Gardner-Webb's all-time leading rusher, Darrell Middleton (1986-1989) starred at Summerville (S.C.) High before sprinting and slashing his way to 3,877 yards and 38 touchdowns in Boiling Springs. The Runnin' Bulldogs may have found another gem from Summerville High, with former walk-on D.J. Hancock (5-9, 174, R-Fr.) turning heads during spring practice and continuing to showcase great speed and vision during training camp. Hancock, who ran for 1,003 yards as a senior in high school, enters the 2019 campaign on the depth chart at both running back and as a kickoff return specialist.

ON THE AIR AGAIN
For the first time since 2003, Gardner-Webb football will have a broadcast presence on a commercial radio station. All 12 regular season games, and any postseason games, will air live on WGNC (1450 AM / 101.1 FM) in Gastonia, N.C. Veteran play-by-play man Dave Friedman and a color analysts Reggie Walker and Bryan Fetzer will serve as talent. Walker is a former collegiate player at Penn State and Fetzer, who played collegiately at Canisius, is the former head track & field coach at Gardner-Webb and the University of Virginia. The station is available online via the TuneIn app.

THE STREAM TEAM
Each of Gardner-Webb's five home games will stream live on ESPN+ ($4.99 per month subscription), with the Voice of the Runnin' Bulldogs Fabian Fuentes joined by analyst Brendan Boylan. ESPN+ is the home of the Big South Network for the second season in a row. The Runnin' Bulldogs will also play road games on ESPN+ at Charlotte (8/29), at Wofford (9/21), at Western Carolina (10/5), at Presbyterian (11/9) and at Kennesaw State (11/23). Games at East Carolina and Monmouth will be streamed on ESPN3 (WatchESPN.com).

NEW FACE ON STAFF
Gardner-Webb welcomed one new face to its coaching staff in 2019, with J.J. Laster coming on board prior to spring practice to coach the team's running backs and tight ends. Laster previously served as an assistant coach at Tusculum and his alma mater, Jacksonville University.

BIG BAD JOHN
A breakthrough season in 2018 came quickly for defensive end John Singleton (6-5, 237, R-So.), who earned Hero Sports FCS Freshman All-America honors in addition to Big South Defensive Freshman of the Year and All-Big South accolades. The Apex, N.C., native led the league's defensive linemen with 51 total tackles, added 5.5 tackles for loss and posted three sacks. Singleton earned Shrine Bowl honors as a senior at Middle Creek (N.C.) High at outside linebacker.

BACK FOR YEAR SIX
Gardner-Webb's defense caught a major break when All-Big South nose guard Josh Ramseur (5-11, 292, Gr.) was awarded a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. The Kingstown, N.C., native was injured prior to the 2018 season after a breakthrough, 50-tackle campaign in 2017, and is back at full strength while pursuing his MBA in the Godbold School of Business at GWU. A two-way standout at nearby Burns (N.C.) High, Ramseur is the fourth of five football playing brothers. Older brothers Kenneth (Gardner-Webb), Tim (NC State) and Tank (Tuskeegee) set the stage for the Ramseur family on the gridiron. Younger brother Aaron Ramseur is an All-Conference junior linebacker currently at East Carolina, with the two siblings set to face off on September 7.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Center Brandon Leahey (6-3, 276, R-Sr.) enters his third season as the starter for Gardner-Webb, and was honored as a preseason All-Big South Conference first-team choice at the league's Media Day in July. The Parker, Colo., native started his career at guard for the Runnin' Bulldogs after transferring in from FBS Eastern Michigan, but moved over to center one week before the 2017 season opener and has stayed in place since with heady, hard-nosed play.

BIG TARGETS
Gardner-Webb will enter the 2019 season with a host of big receivers for quarterback Jordan Smith to target. Starters Izaiah Gathings (6-4, 216, So.) and Chuma Awanna (6-3, 217, Gr.) provided plenty of excitement during training camp and top reserve Jameson Turner (6-4, 211, Fr.) showed signs of becoming a heavy early contributor as well. Awanna caught 39 balls last season as a junior at Norfolk State, including a 95-yard effort against North Carolina A&T. Gathings, a former basketball star at Statesville (N.C.) High, is the son of 2004 Big South Men's Basketball Player of the Year Danny Gathings.