HOT ROUTES
*           The Runnin' Bulldogs will play three ranked teams this season at home in four games. In addition to last week's
            game vs. No. 24 Elon (W, 42-20), Gardner-Webb will take on No. 23 Monmouth (March 20) and No. 9 Kennesaw
            State (March 27).
 
*           Gardner-Webb's next win will be the 250th in the program's senior college history (since 1970).
 
*           With the 43rd game in the series on tap for Saturday, Presbyterian is the most played rival for Gardner-Webb among
            current Division I schools. The schools played at the NAIA level (1970-92), NCAA Division II level (1993-99) and
            the Division I FCS level (2008-present).
 
*           After one week, Gardner-Webb ranks in the top-20 nationally in total offense, total defense, scoring offense and
            scoring defense. Complete national stats rankings on Page 4 of notes.
 
*           Speed demon Devron Harper was named preseason All-Big South at four different positions by Phil Steele's
            College Football Preview. Harper earned a nod at receiver, kickoff return man, punt return man and all-purpose back.
 
*           Gardner-Webb head coach Tre Lamb (31, September 16, 1989) is the second youngest head coach in the FCS ranks 
            currently, with only new Austin Peay skipper Scotty Walden (30, November 15, 1989) slightly younger.
 
*           Gardner-Webb's full-time coaching staff is the youngest in the Division I ranks, with an average of 28.9 years 
            old per man.
 
*           Quarterback Carlton Aiken became the third different starting quarterback for Gardner-Webb in the past
            two seasons. Former Runnin' Bulldogs Jordan Smith and Kalen Whitlow each started games for GWU in 2019.
 
*           Gardner-Webb received 16 votes in this week's Stats Perform FCS Top 25 poll (32nd).
 
THE GAME
Gardner-Webb will host Presbyterian on Saturday, March 6, in its final spring non-conference game. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium. The game will stream live on ESPN+, with Phil Constantino and former Carolina Panther standout Al Wallace on the call. The game will also air live on WGNC 1450 AM / 101.1 FM with Dave Friedman and former Penn State footballer Reginald Walker, Jr. General admission tickets are available for sale at GWUSports.com ( link ). Capacity in Spangler Stadium will be limited to 2,700 fans again this week.
  
SERIES NOTES
Gardner-Webb holds a 22-20 edge in the all-time series, which dates back to the NAIA era and 1970 ... The 'Dogs have won two in a row at home in the series (2016, 2018) ... Gardner-Webb has won seven of the 11 meetings since both schools' moved to NCAA Division I FCS ... Presbyterian has won its last two home games in the series (2017, 2019),
 
THE HEAD COACHES
Gardner-Webb's Tre Lamb is in his first season as a college head coach. The second-youngest head coach in all of Division I football, Lamb has served as offensive coordinator at his alma mater Tennessee Tech and has called plays on the Division I level for four seasons. Veteran football man Tommy Spangler is in his 10th season as head coach at Presbyterian College. Spangler has forged a 50-49 record during that time in charge of the Blue Hose.
 
WHAT A START
Gardner-Webb kicked off its first ever spring season in style, storming back from an early 17-0 deficit to wallop No. 24 Elon 42-20 on February 27. The Runnin' Bulldogs ground out 202 yards rushing, scored four rushing touchdowns and had a special teams score in the win. After Elon's early lead, Gardner-Webb outscored the Phoenix 42-3 the rest of the way. In its last two games against Elon (2016, 2021), Gardner-Webb has won twice while outscoring the Phoenix by a combined 63-0 in the second half.
 
THE FAST MAN
Multi-talented Devron Harper (5-10, 165, So.) didn't have a major impact in the passing game vs. No. 24 Elon, but his ability in the return game paid major dividends. Harper had early kickoff returns of 37 and 42 yards – the second setting up GWU's first touchdown – and returned a punt 41 yards to pay dirt at the end of the third quarter. When the dust settled, Harper had 138 all-purpose yards and his second career return touchdown.
 
BIG PLAY ZAY
Gardner-Webb's Izaiah Gathings (6-4, 225, Jr.) has the size of a tight end and the speed and ability of a high-end receiver – a devastating combination on the FCS level. Gathings extended his Big South-record of 10+ catches and 100+ yards to five games in the season opener – hauling in 10 passes for 126 yards. Gathings caught 71 passes for 1,046 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, doing a large percentage of his damage in Big South Conference games. As a result he earned preseason FCS All-America honors from Hero Sports and College Sports Journal. Gathings remains one of the most feared offensive weapons in the country.
 
TEAM CAPTAINS
Gardner-Webb named five permanent team captains prior to the 2021 spring season. Offensive captains are: Izaiah Gathings (Jr.), Carter Francis (R-So.) and Narii Gaither (So.). Defensive captains are Shai Thomas (Sr.) and Dameon Williams (R-Jr.). The quintet has shown exceptional leadership during a very difficult past year for college football student-athletes.
 
NATE THE GREAT
Defensive tackle Janathian Turner (6-3, 306, Jr.) proved to be the key cog in the middle of Gardner-Webb's new 4-2-5 defense in the season opener vs. No. 24 Elon. The Atlanta, Ga., native not only made seven tackles and had a key sack, his activity throughout the game disrupted the Phoenix ground game and helped keep pressure on two Elon quarterbacks. Turner's efforts were rewarded when he was named Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
 
PARLEZ-VOUS FRANCAIS
Defensive end Ty French (6-3, 230, Fr.) lived up to his advance billing – and then some – in his college debut. The former Colquitt County (Ga.) High standout came out of the gate with two quick tackles for loss and finished the day with 12 total hits, 4.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He added three quarterback presssures en route to earning Stats Perform FCS National Freshman of the Week honors and Big South Freshman of the Week accolades. French's impact on the Gardner-Webb pass rush limited Elon to just one pass play longer than 20 yards all day.
 
ABOUT THAT DEFENSE
Gardner-Webb ranked 113th in total defense and 117th in rushing defense (out of 124 teams) by the end of the 2019 season. In its 2021 spring season opener, the GWU defense held No. 24 Elon to just 71 yards on the ground (minus-8 in the second half) and 270 total yards in a 42-20 victory. That effort, which was highlighted by two caused turnovers, four sacks and 10 tackles for loss, pushed Gardner-Webb to 10th nationally in total defense and 16th in scoring defense.
 
THE BIG DOGS
The Runnin' Bulldogs effectiveness on offense against No. 24 Elon can be directly attributed to a strong game from an offensive line that featured five new starters – but also a deep rotation that kept the 'Dogs fresh throughout. Starters Dan Wittekind (6-3, 305, Gr.), Gabe Thompson (6-3, 321, R-Fr.), Kyle Schneider (6-4, 288, So.), Travis Polson (6-3, 274, R-Fr.) and Clayton Frady (6-5, 295, Fr.) gelled well quickly. The play of Will Webster (6-4, 285, Gr.), Jack Nichols (6-3, 308, Sr.) and Carter Francis (6-2, 280, R-So.) was outstanding as well on the interior. The overall group effort produced 202 rushing yards and allowed just one sack.
 
MOMENTUM BUILDING CHALLENGE
Gardner-Webb hasn't gone 2-0 to start a season with two Division I wins since beginning 2006. The 'Dogs kicked off that season with a 49-14 win at Jacksonville (Sept. 2) and a 30-26 home win vs. Tennessee Tech (Sept. 9). GWU went on to a 6-2 start in 2006 with strong road wins at Southeastern Louisiana (Sept. 30) and Liberty (Oct. 21).
 
ON THE AIR AGAIN
Gardner-Webb football will have a broadcast presence on a commercial radio station again in 2021. All six spring 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 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 four spring home games will stream live on ESPN+ ($4.99 per month subscription), with a new braodcast crew on tap. Penn State graduate Phil Constantino, Gardner-Webb's brand new Director of Broadcasting, will serve as play-by-play voice. He will be joined this season by former Carolina Panther and University of Maryland star Al Wallace. 
 
ZERO PROBLEMS
Quarterback Carlton Aiken and defensive end Shai Thomas were the first Gardner-Webb players to ever wear the #0 jersey in a college game for the Runnin' Bulldogs. The jersey number was previously unavailable as a choice until a recent NCAA rules change.
 
AGENT ZERO
Quarterback Carlton Aiken (6-2, 220, Gr.) got the start vs. No. 24 Elon and showed extreme poise, toughness and grit in a veteran performance. The Paulsboro, N.J., native overcame two early interceptions from tipped balls and a third on a long fourth-down throw, to win the game for GWU. Aiken made several key throws and bulled in from one-yard out for Gardner-Webb's first score. He then scrambled 23 yards for another touchdown that gave his 'Dogs the lead for good in the third quarter. Aiken completed 70 percent of his passes and currently ranks ninth nationally in that category.
 
HE'S NOT SHAI
Gardner-Webb defender Shai Thomas (6-2, 271, Sr.) has been in the mix for All-Big South Conference honors at linebacker for the past two seasons, narrowly missing out on postseason honors. A genuine need for a pass rusher in the new defensive scheme and Thomas adding nearly 20 pounds of muscle to his frame meant a move down to defensive end for the Anderson, S.C., native. He has excelled during the preseason and is expected to be a havoc causing factor in 2021.
 
SEEING DOUBLE
Gardner-Webb will, for the first time in its history, have players in double jersey numbers for the 2021 season and beyond. Players in jerseys 0, 1, 2, 5, 7, 13, 14 and 15 have spots on both sides of the ball. The NCAA rule allowing double jersey numbers simply states that those players cannot be on the field at the same time. This is the first season Gardner-Webb has taken advantage of the opportunity.
 
AGAINST THE PIONEER
Gardner-Webb is 2-0 all-time against members of the Pioneer Football League, the conference that Presbyterian is transitioning to. Both of those wins came against Jacksonville – a 49-14 win on the road in 2006 and a 27-6 win at home in 2007.
 
THE MAYOR
Running back Narii Gaither (5-10, 177, So.) brings a healthy dose of positivity to all that he does. His breakout game against No. 24 Elon was no surprise, as he sparked Gardner-Webb's effective ground game with a career-high 19 carries for 111 yards and two touchdowns. That earned Gaither Big South Offensive Player of the Week honors. He had both of Gardner-Webb's explosive plays on the ground, carrying for gains of 23 and 24 yards. The Rock Hill, S.C., native came to Gardner-Webb after a stellar career at Rock Hill (S.C.) High, where he was the Area Player of the Year on defense as a junior and on offense as a senior. 
 
MORE YOUTH
Gardner-Webb started six freshmen vs. No. 24 Elon, and all six played a major role in the win. In addition to Ty French, linebacker William McRainey (6-0, 217, Fr.) made his career debut and finished with six total tackles (four solo) in a strong performance. The offensive line featured three freshmen starters, including tackles Travis Polson(6-3, 274, R-Fr.) and Clayton Frady (6-5, 295, Fr.) along with guard Gabe Thompson (6-3, 321, R-Fr.). Tight end Anthony Herock (6-3, 235, Fr.) also started and had a 13-yard catch.
 
UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb will enjoy an open date to prepare for Big South Conference play to begin. GWU's next game comes on Saturday, March 20, at home vs. No. 23 Monmouth. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium and the game will stream live on ESPN+ with Phil Constantino and Al Wallace on the call. The game will also air on WGNC 1450 AM / 101.1 FM (TuneIn App) with Dave Friedman and Reginald Walker, Jr.