HAMPTON, Va. – Gardner-Webb dropped another tough road game in Big South Conference play Saturday, falling 27-21 at Hampton in overtime.
 
Keyondre White scored on a 25-yard run to end the game after Gardner-Webb (3-6, 1-4 Big South) failed to score on the opening drive of overtime.
 
Gardner-Webb could not muster any offense in the second half after tying the game at 21-21 on a big special teams play early in the third quarter. The 'Dogs had just 84 yards offensively after halftime and had the football for just 24 plays.
 
The GWU defense made plays to keep the game tied, getting after Duffey in the backfield often to force Hampton punts. The Pirates (4-5, 2-3 Big South) won the field position battle, but could not find the end zone until Duffey's run in extra time.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs appeared to seize control of the game early on Saturday after Bailey Fisher connected on scoring passes of 32 yards to Narii Gaither and five yards to Deland Thomas for a 14-7 lead with 1:15 left in the opening quarter.
 
The Pirates went to work on the ensuing drive, with Jett Duffey hitting Romon Copeland on a 45-yard pass play that set the home team up deep in Gardner-Webb territory. Duffey connected with tight end James Stanley two plays later to tie the score early in the second quarter.
 
Gardner-Webb appeared to retake the lead on a Fisher pass to Darius Hough for a 39-yard touchdown, but an ineligible man was downfield and the flag negated the play. Gardner-Webb was forced to punt and forced a quick three-and-out, but a muffed punt near midfield by the Runnin' Bulldogs ignited the Pirates once again.
 
Hampton scored on a 34-yard pass from Duffey to an open Trent Cloud three plays later and took a 21-14 lead into the halftime locker room.
 
A big special teams play aided the 'Dogs after a drive stalled to start the third quarter. A booming Jack Pawloski punt was booted inside the Pirates' 15-yard line and freshman Zay Jones recovered in the end zone for a Gardner-Webb touchdown. The extra point tied the score and switched momentum quickly.
 
Neither team could get its offense going over the next few possessions, as a battle of field position ensued in the slippery conditions. Hampton pinned Gardner-Webb inside its own 10-yard line twice early in the fourth quarter to gain a slight edge, but Malachi Buckner picked off a pass in his own territory to thwart a potential scoring chance.
 
Gardner-Webb was able to drive out past its own 40-yard line with 90 seconds left, but the drive stalled and a punt – plus a penalty – pinned Hampton back at its own eight-yard line.
 
The Pirates broke a run out to the 32-yard line with nine seconds left and another sprint by Burris out to midfield gave Hampton a chance at a heave with four seconds left. The Pirates ran the ball and fumbled, but the clock ran out.
 
Hampton won the toss in overtime, forcing Gardner-Webb to go first and – after a first down catch by Justin Jordan, the drive stalled when Narii Gaither was stopped just short of the line to gain. GWU chose to go for it on fourth down, but Fisher's pass was just off the mark in the end zone.
 
Hampton took over and scored on White's 25-yard run to end the game.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs finished with 298 yards of total offense on a wet and gloomy day in the Tidewater area, with a normally effective passing game held in check. Fisher finished 20-of-35 for 161 yards and two touchdowns, but was sacked three times.
 
Gaither ran for 147 yards on 27 carries to pace Gardner-Webb's offense, and caught six passes for 57 yards and a 32-yard score. Thomas added five catches for 36 yards and a touchdown, but Gardner-Webb receivers combined for just seven catches.
 
The defense held Hampton to only 104 total yards in the second half, with Shai Thomas, Ty French, William McRainey and Willie Harris leading the charge.
 
Thomas finished with eight tackles and a tackle for loss, McRainey added eight stops and French had seven tackles (two sacks). Harris finished with just five stops, but four were tackles for loss (one sack). Buckner picked off two passes on the day.
 
Hampton had 413 yards offensively after a fast start, with Duffey going 12-of-18 for 231 yards and three touchdowns (two picks). Duffey also ran 18 times for 54 yards.
 
Burris led the ground game with 64 yards on 14 carries and White had 55 yards and the game-winning score on eight attempts. Romon Copeland caught two passes for 101 yards and a 57-yard touchdown to open the scoring.
 
Ali Shockley had 10 total tackles to lead Hampton's defense.
 
Gardner-Webb will close out its home schedule next weekend on Senior Day, hosting Charleston Southern in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium. The game will also serve as Military Appreciation Day and will kickoff at 1:30 pm (ESPN+).