BOILING SPRINGS – Narii Gaither scored the go-ahead touchdown on a six-yard pass from Carlton Aiken in the second overtime and A.J. Thomas picked off a batted ball at the one to end a 31-24 win for Gardner-Webb on a wild and wacky Saturday afternoon.

Gardner-Webb improved to 2-0 against Division I competition for the first time since 2006 and rolled up 517 yards of total offense on the day – including 221 yards on the ground. The Runnin' Bulldogs also held Presbyterian (0-1) to 31 yards rushing on 32 attempts, had six sacks and picked off two passes.

"Hats off to Presbyterian College. Coach Spangler does a really good job and they really fought hard today," said head coach Tre Lamb. "A win is a win. We battled and came back to win. A sign of a good team is winning a game when you may not play well. You look at the stats, moving the ball was not the problem. We turned it over in critical situations, got a field goal blocked. Not the kind of mistakes a championship program can make. We have a lot to clean up, but I'd rather clean it up with a 2-0 record. It tells me a lot about this team – they're able to win a game when things don't go their way. Really proud of our team's resilience. Both teams' played their tails off."

A very bad bounce nearly cost Gardner-Webb the game.

Trailing 21-17 with 1:17 to play in the game, Presbyterian drove all the way down to the Gardner-Webb 20-yard line. Facing a difficult 4th-and-9, quarterback Tyler Huff's pass was knocked away at the seven, but the ball bounced up into the arms of Delvecchio Powell – who darted into the end zone with 1:10 to play. The extra point put the Blue Hose up 24-21.

Undeterred, the seasoned Aiken drove his offense down the field, completing 4-of-6 passes to quickly get Gardner-Webb to the Blue Hose 37. Gaither's legs got the 'Dogs down to the 30 and – after a pair of incompletions deep – Gardner-Webb decided to attempt a tying field goal with 1.9 seconds left.

Kurt Everett calmly banged home the 37-yarder as time expired to send the game to overtime.

A first-down sack by Ty French put Presbyterian behind the chains in the first overtime and Huff was picked off on a fourth down heave inside the GWU 10-yard line. Gardner-Webb drove to the Blue Hose seven-yard line, but stalled. A 24-yard field goal to win was pushed wide right, sending the game to a second extra period.

The Blue Hose defense forced a quick third down, but Aiken hit Gaither on a 13-yard screen pass – a perfect call into Presbyterian's blitz – for a first down at the six. Aiken then completed a swing pass to Gaither, who dove inside the pylon from six yards away for the go-ahead score.

Presbyterian took advantage of a face mask to get down to the Gardner-Webb eight-yard line after two plays – but a false start pushed the Blue Hose back further. Huff's first down pass over the middle was batted by Malachi Bucker, but this time the carom was snatched out of the air by Thomas – who fell at the one-yard line to seal the win.

Gardner-Webb had little trouble moving the football early, driving inside the Blue Hose 25-yard line on a 56-yard hookup from Aiken to Devron Harper. A touch pass over the middle on first down was picked off by Presbyterian at the nine-yard line, halting a golden chance.

On its second drive, Gaither flipped the field and sprinted into the conference and school record books in one quick burst. Facing 2nd down at his own four, Gaither dodged a tackler, then sprinted 96 yards for a touchdown that sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

His carry broke the previous school and stadium record of 90 yards, which was set by Amos Myles vs. Tusculum back in 1997. It also set a new Big South mark.

Gardner-Webb had another great chance near the beginning of the second quarter, using 21-yard hookup from Aiken to Izaiah Gathings – and a facemark – to set up at the Presbyterian four-yard line. The Blue Hose held on fourth down, however, turning the Runnin' Bulldogs away.

Neither team could get into a groove the rest of the half, until a fumble by Gardner-Webb near midfield set up a Blue Hose scoring chance. Presbyterian took advantage, as Parker Maddrey drained a 20-yard field goal at the halftime horn.

Aiken connected with Gathings early in the third quarter from 22 yards out for a 14-3 lead, but the Blue Hose answered with a Tyler Huff sneak to cap a 73-yard drive and trim the lead to 14-10.

Another GWU scoring chance came up short when a deep drive to the Blue Hose 10-yard line stalled and a 28-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

Disaster struck with just over eight minutes to play in the game for Gardner-Webb. A holding call backed the offense up to its own 16 and a sack and fumble gave Presbyterian the ball at the Gardner-Webb eight.

Huff connected with Keith Pearson on the ensuing first down play to put Presbyterian up 17-14 with 7:01 left.

Aiken used his legs to put Gardner-Webb back in front, after hitting Dexter Brown on a 19-yard screen. The graduate transfer bolted 30 yards for a touchdown with 4:58 to play. Everett's extra point put GWU up 21-17.

Presbyterian took over after the kickoff to set out on its go-ahead drive – setting up the wild finish.

Gardner-Webb finished the day with 81 plays for 517 yards of total offense – along with 28 first downs. The 'Dogs had 221 yards on the ground, averaging 6.0 yards per carry, but fell victim to a pair of costly fumbles and an interception.

Gaither led the way once again, carrying 17 times for a career-high 151 yards on the ground. He added four catches for 27 yards and another score – finishing the day with 222 all-purpose yards (44 on kick returns). Aiken ran for 23 yards and a score while completing 27-of-44 passes for 296 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Harper was the most productive target, catching six passes for 108 yards. Gathings added six catches for 66 yards and a score while James Ellis II caught six balls for 42 yards. Dexter Brown added 42 yards rushing and 19 yards receiving.

Honus Wagner led the defensive charge with 10 total tackles (four solo), 3.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Freshman sensation Ty French followed with another strong game, totaling nine tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and four quarterback pressures.

Buckner had eight hits, a tackle for loss and three pass break ups from his safety spot and Deonte Grier had seven stops and an interception – along with two pass break ups. Gardner-Webb managed 14 tackles for loss, six sacks and nine pressures in the game. The 'Dogs also broke up nine passes.

Presbyterian's rushing woes forced them to the air, where a steady but effective short-medium range passing game kept them in contention. Quarterback Huff was 29-of-46 for 307 yards and two touchdowns – but was picked off twice in overtime.

Pearson caught 10 balls for 133 yards and a touchdown and Kiaran Turner had five catches for 38 yards.

Cornerback Oka Emmanwori joined Jarrett Nagy with 15 tackles each to lead the defense. Keegan Halloran added 14 stops and Colby Campbell had nine.

Gardner-Webb will enjoy an open date before beginning Big South Conference play at home on March 20 against No. 23 Monmouth. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm in Spangler Stadium.