Box Score KENNESAW, Ga. – Gardner-Webb gave No. 10 Kennesaw State all it could handle for 60 minutes Saturday afternoon, but the Owls scored with 11 seconds left to pull out a 34-30 decision at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

Narii Gaither exploded for 207 all-purpose yards – 116 on the ground and 91 through the air – and caught the go-ahead touchdown pass to put Gardner-Webb (3-5, 1-3 Big South) up 30-27 with 43 seconds to play in the game. Gaither had three touchdowns in the game (two rushing).

The extra point attempt was blocked, meaning the Owls (7-1, 4-0 Big South) would need just a field goal to tie. After a long kickoff return to the Kennesaw State 40-yard line, quarterback Xavier Shepherd completed back-to-back passes for 45 yards to get the Owls down to the Gardner-Webb 15-yard line with 16 seconds left.

He took the next snap and hit on a fade route to Xavier Hill for what wound up the game winner. 

Gardner-Webb got the ball back, but a hook-and-lateral play was fumbled near midfield and the Owls recovered with no time left.

The Runnin' Bulldogs were on fire offensively for much of the day – despite a wet, rainy environment that resulted in 17 dropped passes. GWU finished with 27 first downs and 489 total yards against the nation's No. 7 defense.

Gardner-Webb controlled the first quarter with a precise passing attack and led 3-0 after Austin McKay's 36-yard field goal. That lead grew to 10-0 early in the second quarter, as Narii Gaither sprinted 27 yards to paydirt just 11 seconds into the second quarter.

The Owls cut the lead to 10-3 after a drive stalled in Gardner-Webb territory, with Nate Robertson nailing a 38-yard attempt with 10:49 to play in the half. 

Neither team would scratch again until less than a minute remained in the half.

Kennesaw State went to the air, with Xavier Shepherd hitting Xavier Hill on an eight-yard fade with 21 seconds left. The extra point tied the game heading into the locker room.

Gardner-Webb got a much needed stop early in the third quarter and converted the good defense into points quickly. Bailey Fisher marched Gardner-Webb 80 yards in just three plays, finishing the drive himself with a 12-yard touchdown run.

The Runnin' Bulldogs grabbed a fumble on Kennesaw State's next drive, and pushed near midfield, but a fourth down try fell short. GWU appeared to have the first down, but a replay review spotted the ball one yard shy – forcing the fourth down try. The Owls stuffed the play and took over.

Kennesaw State struck quickly, with Shepherd hitting Gabriel Benyard on a 30-yard wheel route for six with 4:33 to play in the third quarter. 

Gardner-Webb had a golden chance to retake the lead on its next drive, but the wet and slippery weather played a big role in a pair of costly drops. The second, a sure touchdown, came on a fourth down play and gave the Owls possession near midfield.

Kennesaw State needed just two plays to cover the 56 yards, with Shepherd again going to the air to hit tight end Connor Finer on a 51-yard pass play for the go-ahead score.

Another field goal pushed Kennesaw State's lead to 27-17 with 7:30 to play, but Gardner-Webb wasn't going away quietly.

Fisher engineered a clutch drive, covering 75 yards in 14 plays to get the 'Dogs within a field goal. Gaither finished the drive with a one-yard dive across the goal line and the extra point pulled GWU within 27-24 with 2:48 to go.

A big defensive play on first down by William McRainey put KSU behind the chains and Gardner-Webb used its timeouts wisely to force an Owls' punt.

Fisher got the ball at his own 24-yard line and – facing a 4th-and-9 – stepped up in the pocket and completed a dart to Jameson Turner down the left sideline. Turner rumbled down to the Kennesaw State 33-yard line with less than a minute to play.

After a timeout for injury, Fisher again came through, hitting Gaither underneath on a short pass. The Rock Hill, S.C., junior out-rank the Owls' defense into the end zone – setting off a wild finish.

Fisher finished 31-of-48 for 324 yards and two touchdowns (one rushing). He carried seven times for 23 yards and was sacked just once. He also ran an efficient offense, with no turnovers until the game's final desperation play – despite very poor conditions.

In addition to Gaither, Gardner-Webb got five catches for 99 yards from Turner in his first game back from injury. Franklin added seven catches for 71 yards and had a 24-yard run. Gardner-Webb ran for 165 yards on the day overall – against a defense that came in allowing just over 100 yards per game on the season.

Gardner-Webb's defense controlled action early in the game, and made several big plays. Malachi Bucker posted eight hits from his safety spot and McRainey joined that number with eight stops (five solo) and 1.5 tackles for loss.

Kennesaw State managed 417 yards total, mostly in the second half. The Owls ran for 208 yards – well below its season average – and won a game for just the second time ever without a rushing touchdown.

Shepherd was 12-of-14 through the air for 209 yards and four touchdowns to lead the offense.

Evan Thompson led the defense with a school-record 16 total tackles (10 solo).

Gardner-Webb will be back in action on Saturday, November 6, at Hampton. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm in Hampton, Va.