THE GAME
Gardner-Webb will remain on the road this week, traveling east to face Hampton on Saturday, November 6. Kickoff is set for 1:05 pm in 12,000-seat Armstrong Stadium, a venue the 'Dogs havent visited since 2004. The game will air live on WYCW (CW 62) and WMYT (My 12) in the Charlotte and Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville markets, as well as streaming on ESPN+. Pete Yanity and Jay Sonnhalter will call the action as part of the Ingles' Big South Game of the Week. Dave Friedman and Phil Constantino will provide live audio on WGNC Radio 1450 AM / 101.1 FM (TuneIn Radio).

SERIES NOTES
The brief series is tied, 2-2, heading into the fifth matchup on Saturday. The Pirates won the lone matchup in Armstrong Stadium, rallying with a big second half to beat Gardner-Webb 48-25 on October 9, 2004. GWU held a 19-17 edge at the half that day, but saw the 25th-ranked Pirates storm for 31 unanswered in the second half to take control for good. Gardner-Webb used a strong air attack to take a 35-27 win over the Pirates in the most recent meeting (Oct. 12, 2019).

SERIES HISTORY
10/11/78 – GWU 28, HU 13 (Boiling Springs)
10/09/04 – #25 HU 48, GWU 25 (Hampton, Va.)
10/08/05 – #8 HU 52, GWU 21 (Boiling Springs)
10/12/19 – GWU 35, HU 27 (Boiling Springs)

ANOTHER STREAK NEEDS SNAPPING 
Gardner-Webb broke its nine-game Big South Conference losing streak with its 28-17 win over Robert Morris on October 23 and has another notable streak it would love to snap. The Runnin' Bulldogs are in the midst of a seven-game road losing streak against Big South Conference opponents, dating back to a 35-7 win at Campbell on October 27, 2018.

NOVEMBER NOTES 
Gardner-Webb is 1-9 in its last 10 November games, dating back to the 2017 season. The Runnin' Bulldogs last road win in the 11th month on the calendar came at No. 8 Charleston Southern on November 5, 2016 (17-10). The Runnin' Bulldogs went 2-0 during November in 2016.

BITING NAILS 
Three of Gardner-Webb's five losses this season have come down to the final moments. The Runnin' Bulldogs stuffed Georgia Southern's final offensive chance and drove well into the FBS Eagles' territory in the season opener – but dropped a 30-25 decision on the road. Against Campbell in the 2021 N.C. East/West BBQ Bowl on October 9, the 'Dogs  made another key defensive stop with less than four minutes to play in a tie game. A muffed punt at the 10-yard line set the Camels up nicely for a quick go-ahead score. Campbell added another late score for a 42-28 win in Boiling Springs. This past Saturday, Gardner-Webb stormed back with two touchdowns in the final three minutes to take a 30-27 lead with 43 seconds left at No. 10 Kennesaw State. The Owls used a timely kickoff return out near midfield and tossed the game-winning touchdown with just 11 seconds to go.

THE HEAD COACHES
Gardner-Webb head coach Tre Lamb is the second-youngest skipper in Division I football at age 32, celebrating his birthday on September 16. Lamb is 5-7 in his brief tenure, with two of those losses coming to 85-scholarship FBS programs. Robert Prunty is in his third full season at Hampton, and has forged a 12-12 mark with the Pirates. Hampton is Prunty's first collegiate head coaching job.

A SPECIAL TALENT
One of the bright young stars on the Gardner-Webb roster doesn't play quarterback, or a skill position. Offensive lineman Gabe Thompson (6-3, 297, So.) has emerged as a tremendous blocker and team leader, playing both guard and center this season. Thompson's skill isn't limited to the field. He is active in SAAC and student government on campus and was the Dorman (S.C.) High student body president before arriving in Boiling Springs. Thompson is also a musical talent, playing several instruments at a high level.

TOTAL THREAT
Quarterback Bailey Fisher (5-11, 207, Jr.) crossed the 5,000-yard passing mark in Gardner-Webb's September 11 loss at FBS Charlotte and has now passed for 6,241 yards during his 33 games as a Division I starter at Tennessee Tech and now GWU. Fisher topped the 7,000-yard mark in career total offense at No. 10 Kennesaw State, and now has at 7,172 yards with 63 touchdowns accounted for in those 33 starts. Fisher has accounted for 15 touchdowns through eight starts at Gardner-Webb and became the first GWU quarterback to top 300 yards passing in his team debut on September 4 at Georgia Southern (315 yards, 3 TD). Fisher has thrown just three interceptions, with two coming in late game situations and Gardner-Webb trailing by double digits.

PARLEZ-VOUS-FRANCAIS
Gardner-Webb's coaching staff knew it had a jewel when Ty French (6-3, 230, So.) enrolled in the fall of 2020. The former Colquitt County (Ga.) High star was a three-star recruit with a high motor, great character and sterling work ethic. The undersized label was erased when he quickly adjusted to the college weight room and packed on nearly 20 pounds. His performance this past spring raised eyebrows – as he ranked in the national top-10 in sacks (4.0) and tackles for loss (8.0), while adding 10 quarterback hurries in just four games. His dominance earned first-team All-Big South honors, Freshman All-America honors from Hero Sports and the 2020/21 Big South Conference Defensive Freshman of the Year award. French exploded once again against Robert Morris on October 23, earning National FCS Defensive Player of the Week honors after posting nine tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. He has 45 stops, 10.5 TFL and 5.5 sacks this season. French also has 22 quarterback pressures in 12 career games.

LONG DISTANCE DUDES
Gardner-Webb has four different ball carriers who have at least one touchdown run of 40 yards or more this season. Narii Gaither (43 yards, TD), Donovan Jones (79 yards, TD), Jalin Graham (73 yards, TD) and Dexter Brown (47, TD). Gaither leads the league with an average of 6.5 yards per carry overall.

QUICKNESS
Gardner-Webb has 19 scoring drives of 70 yards or more this season. 13 of those drives have been of the quick strike variety and resulted in touchdowns, lasting no longer than 2:30 to find the end zone.

FULL HOUSE FOR BIG SOUTH
The Big South is celebrating its 20th season of sponsoring football in 2021, and the league mem- bership is at an all-time high of nine members. New Big South full member North Carolina A&T began its affiliation July 1, while associate member Robert Morris is playing its first full Big South schedule this season after competing during the league's abbreviated 2021 Spring campaign.

WILLIAM THE TACKLER
Academic All-America candidate William McRainey (6-0, 217, So.) has been a rising star since arriving on campus with the Class of 2020. The inside linebacker leads Gardner-Webb this season, ranks second in the Big South, with 75 total tackles (38 solo) through eight starts. He has added 7.5 tackles for loss, one sack and a 71-yard fumble return for a touchdown. His 17 total tackles vs. Western Carolina saw him earn Big South Defensive Player of the Week honors. McRainey also carries a strong 3.55 GPA in his chosen major of accounting.

NO. 1
Safety Malachi Buckner (6-1, 207, Jr.) has been dazzling at times in 2021, despite missing two early games with an injury. The former Tucker (Ga.) High star has made 40 total tackles (24 solo) in six games and has three interceptions for 30 yards in returns so far. Against Robert Morris, Buckner picked off two key passes in a 28-17 win. His first came in the Bulldogs' end zone to thwart a drive for a touchback. His second came on the Colonials final possession with 1:19 left in the game. Buckner finished the day with three solo stops, two interceptions and a pass break up.

GUARDING THE NOSE
Nose guard Janathian Turner (6-3, 306, Sr.) made his presence felt vs. Robert Morris, finishng the day with seven total tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss. That effort helped limit the Colonials to just five net rushing yards. Turner has 28 stops and 5.0 tackles for loss this season. The former Towers (Ga.) High standout also has a pair of quarterback pressures, and has produced well despite battling consistent double teams.

THE MAYOR
Running back Narii Gaither (5-10, 177, Jr.) has been unstoppable in Spangler Stadium of late, running for 365 yards (121.7 ypg) and four touchdowns over the last three home dates. Gaither is averaging 7.2 yards per carry during that stretch, and has averaged 157.3 all-purpose yards in those three games. Overall, the Rock Hill, S.C., star has rushed for 666 yards and seven scores on just 107 carries (6.2 yards per attempt). Over his last 12 games, dating back to last spring, Gaither has rushed for 1,015 yards and 10 touchdowns on 168 carries (6.1 ypc). Gaither crossed the 1,000-yard mark for his career against Robert Morris, and was unstoppable at No. 10 Kennesaw State with 207 all-purpose yards. He now has 1,154 rushing yards to his credit in three seasons with the Runnin' Bulldogs.

ON THE AIR AGAIN
Gardner-Webb football will have a broadcast presence on a commercial radio station again this fall. All regular season games, along with 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 color analyst Reginald Walker, Jr. will serve as talent. Walker is a former collegiate player at Penn State and veteran of the television industry. The station is available online via the TuneIn app.

THE STREAM TEAM
Each of Gardner-Webb's home games will stream live on ESPN+ ($4.99 per month subscription), with Penn State graduate Phil Constantino, Gardner-Webb's Director of Broadcasting, serving as play-by-play voice. He will be joined this season by former Carolina Panther and University of Maryland star Al Wallace, along with several other voices in the booth.

THE TRE LAMB SHOW
Gardner-Webb has an off-campus football coaches show this fall, beginning on Wednesday, September 1 in Shelby, N.C. The Tre Lamb Coaches Show will originate live from the Cleveland Country Club at 7:30 pm and will air live on WGNC 1450 AM / 101.1 FM and the TuneIn Radio app. Dave Friedman will serve as host and will be joined on the air by head coach Tre Lamb each Wednesday during the season. Fans are invited to attend the live show.

FUTURE SCHEDULE NOTES
Gardner-Webb has its slate of FBS opponents almost complete for the next few seasons, with dates at Coastal Carolina (2022), Liberty (2022), Appalachian State (2023), East Carolina (2023), Charlotte (2024) and Georgia Tech (2025) and Liberty (2026) on tap.

LOCAL FLAVOR
Gardner-Webb has 27 student-athletes on its current roster who played high school football within an hour of campus. Boiling Springs, N.C., is located in football-rich Cleveland County, home to state championship programs at Burns, Crest, Shelby and Kings Mountain. The campus is also situated just 15 minutes north of Palmetto State powerhouse Gaffney High and is within an hour drive of several perennial state contenders in Charlotte, N.C., and Spartanburg, S.C. 

FIVE YARDS
Gardner-Webb was in the backfield often against Robert Morris, limiting the Colonials to a net gain of five rushing yards by the end of a 28-17 win on October 23. That final total was the lowest against a Division I opponent in Gardner-Webb's history, besting the 10 rushing yards allowed against No. 11 Richmond on September 14, 2013.

SCORING PACE
Gardner-Webb last led the Big South Conference in scoring offense in 2005, when it sliced up the league to the tune of 35.1 points per game. GWU is averagimg 30.8 points per game so far in 2021, it's highest scoring average since 2005. GWU has topped the 50-point mark twice in Spangler Stadium this season.

TRIPLE THREAT
In addition to his excellence under center – both passing and running – quarterback Bailey Fisher has shown off a strong leg as an occassional punter. Fisher leads the Big South Conference with an average of 47.5 yards per attempt (eight attempts), including a booming 59-yarder vs. Western Carolina on September 25. Five of his seven kicks have been downed inside the 20-yard line and four have gone longer than 50 yards.

DRIVE TIME
Gardner-Webb has at least one touchdown drive of 70 yards or more in each of its eight games this season. The 'Dogs had a season-high four long scoring drives in the opening loss at Georgia Southern (30-25) on September 4. GWU matched that feat at No. 10 Kennesaw state on October 30, with three of those four drives lasting less than 118 seconds.

UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb returns home to honor its senior class next Saturday (Nov. 13), hosting Charleston Southern at 1:30 pm in Spangler Stadium. The game will also serve as Military Appreciation Day on campus.