THE GAME
Gardner-Webb will play its second FBS game in as many weeks when it travels to face East Carolina on Saturday, September 7. Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (50,000). The game will stream live on ESPN3 (WatchESPN.com), with Matt Stewart and Stan Lewter on the call. The game will air on WGNC radio (1450 AM / 101.1 FM), with Dave Friedman and Reggie Walker calling the action. 
  
SERIES NOTES
Saturday will be the first meeting on the gridiron between the Pirates and Runnin' Bulldogs.

AGAINST THE AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
Gardner-Webb has played only one current member of the AAC in football, falling to then Division I-AA UCF by a 71-21 score in the Citrus Bowl on September 5, 1992. The Runnin' Bulldogs, then an NAIA member, went on to a 12-2 overall record and a runner-up finish nationally with a loss to Central State in the NAIA National Championship Game.

BROTHERS
Saturday will mark a reunion for the Ramseur family, as brothers Josh (Gardner-Webb) and Aaron (East Carolina) suit up for opposite sides. Josh Ramseur (5-11, 292, Gr.) is in his sixth season with the Runnin' Bulldogs and was a preseason All-Big South choice after missing the 2018 campaign with an injury. Aaron Ramseur (6-1, 213, Jr.) was a preseason All-AAC selection after posting 66 total tackles last season. The pair are part of a very large football family. Older brothers Kenneth (Gardner-Webb), Tim (NC State / Appalachian State) and Tank (Tuskeegee) also played football on the collegiate stage.

TWO FOR 28
Running back Jayln Cagle (6-0, 199, Sr.) had his second-straight strong outing in a season opener, playing just 27 miles from his hometown of Kannapolis, N.C. Cagle ran for 84 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries against the 49ers – the second time in as many seasons that he has reached the end zone twice in a season opener. Cagle had 117 yards and two scores against Limestone on September 1, 2018, and has averaged 100.5 yards per game in season openers over the past two campaigns. He has rushed for 1,215 yards and eight scores for his career to date.

HOUSE CALL
Gardner-Webb outworked several FBS programs for the services of receiver/return man Devron Harper (5-10, 165, Fr.) last December, and the former Heritage (Ga.) High star made an immediate impact in his college debut. Harper was named Big South Freshman of the Week and honorable mention FCS National Special Teams performer of the week after returning six kickoffs for 202 yards and a 99-yard touchdown at Charlotte (8/29). Harper, an All-State defensive back, was also a two-time state high jump champion in the Peach State. He chose Gardner-Webb after considering offers from South Alabama and Liberty.

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. Mike Houston is in his first season as head coach at East Carolina after leading nationally-ranked teams at Lenoir-Rhyne (D2), The Citadel (FCS) and James Madison (FCS). Houston is 1-0 vs. Gardner-Webb as a head coach, winning at The Citadel in 2014.

OPENING ON THE ROAD
Gardner-Webb will open with two consecutive road games for the first time since 2016. The Runnin' Bulldogs split those contests at Elon and Western Carolina – and finished with a 5-6 record against a tough slate. The 2019 season is the first time in program history with two FBS games in the first two weeks of the season.

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 1-15 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.

PICK OFF PLAY
Gardner-Webb intercepted three passes at Charlotte in the season opener, with Devin Mines (two) and Quinton Jones combining on those plays. That number is notable, with Gardner-Webb posting only six interceptions in 11 games last season. The Runnin' Bulldogs rank No. 8 in the FCS in takeaways after the first week of the season. The 'Dogs rank No. 13 nationally in turnover margin.

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 10 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.

HAMILTON
Gardner-Webb linebacker Cade Hamilton (6-1, 223, So.) made the most of his first career start, collecting nine total tackles in just more than 1.5 quarters of play before going down with muscle cramps at Charlotte (8/29). The former East Rutherford (N.C.) High tackling machine had three solo stops and a half tackle for loss in the game. He had 158 tackles and 29 tackles for loss as a senior for the Cavaliers and made 23 tackles in reserve action last season as a true freshman.

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. Hancock ran for eight yards on two carries in the season opener.

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. Singleton had five total tackles in the opener at Charlotte (8/29).

MINING FOR GOLD
Playing in his home town of Charlotte, veteran defender Devin Mines (5-10, 190, Sr.) had the game of his life. The former Mallard Creek (N.C.) High standout collected seven tackles and picked off a pair of passes against the FBS Charlotte 49ers. Mines also had a pair of tackles for loss in the game, earning himself Big South Defensive Player of the Week honors for the opening week of action. It was the first interception for Mines since 2017 and only the second (and third) of his career. Mines, who played both linebacker and safety in the game, has posted 159 career tackles in 34 games played.

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.

UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb returns home on Saturday, September 14, to begin the FCS portion of its schedule – hosting North Carolina Central at 6:00 pm in the 2019 home opener. The game will stream on ESPN+ (Fabian Fuentes, Brendan Boylan) and will air live on WGNC Radio (1450 AM / 101.1 FM) with Dave Friedman and Bryan Fetzer.