BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb scored 16 points just before halftime to trail just 20-19 at the break, but No. 18 Monmouth scored 28 unanswered in the second half to pull away for a 48-19 decision.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (2-1, 0-1 Big South) had an uneven opening half, muffing a punt that led to a 21-yard Monmouth (2-0, 2-0 Big South) scoring drive – and fumbling four more times in all. Monmouth recovered two of those miscues. A bad punt snap set the Hawks up inside Gardner-Webb's 10-yard line for another quick score – with Juwan Farri going in from one-yard out to cap a three-yard touchdown drive.

Another fumble resulted in a 36-yard touchdown drive, with a fourth-down pass from Tony Muskett to Terrance Greene resulting in a 27-yard connection and a 20-3 Monmouth lead with 4:46 left in the second quarter.

Gardner-Webb came alive from there, scoring 16 points in the final 1:50 to pull within one point at halftime. Carlton Aiken connected with Izaiah Gathings on an eight-yard touchdown with 1:50 before halftime – three plays after a spectacular grab by Gathings in the end zone was negated by a penalty.

Gardner-Webb's defense held again and a long punt by the Hawks – which was a bit too flat and fast – was fielded by Devron Harper at his own seven. The electric sophomore took off, broke a tackle, then used most of his magic tricks to go 93 yards for a touchdown.

The return broke a 45-year old school record for longest touchdown return on a punt – 85 yards set by Obbie Todd against Elon on October 30, 1976. The record is also a new Big South record. The PAT was off the mark and Gardner-Webb trailed 20-16.

A fumble on Monmouth's ensuing drive set Gardner-Webb nicely again, and Kurt Everett ended the half with a short field goal and the 'Dogs were down 20-19 with all the momentum.

Monmouth stuffed Gardner-Webb on fourth down to start the third quarter and capped a 34-yard scoring drive with a six-yard touchdown pass play from Muskett to Lonnie Moore. Another short field after an interception resulted in a 55-yard scoring march and a 34-19 Monmouth lead with 2:34 to play in the third quarter

The Monmouth ground attack finally started to gain traction in the fourth quarter, and the Hawks scored twice on long runs for the final margin. Monmouth gained 148 of its 252 rushing yards in the final quarter, as Gardner-Webb's young defense began to tire after its long layoff.

Each of Monmouth's scoring drives was less than 60 yards, with five scoring drives covering less than 40 yards.

The Hawks finished with 407 yards of total offense, led by Juwan Farri and Romeo Holden on the ground. Farri carried 24 times for 124 yards and four touchdowns, while Holden came on for 11 carries and 112 yards with one score.

Linebacker Da'Quan Grimes led the defense with 12 total stops (eight solo) and Anthony Budd finished with 11 tackles and an interception.

Gardner-Webb was limited to 228 yards of total offense on the day, with just 84 coming on the ground. Aiken finished 17-of-31 for 142 yards and a touchdown but was sacked four times.

The bright spot came from Harper, who added a 43-yard kickoff return and finished with 177 all-purpose yards on the day.

Christian Wright collected his first start and finished with a team-high 10 tackles at linebacker. Ty French continued to be impactful, collecting eight stops, one sack, a blocked kick and a fumble recovery. He also broke up a pass and had two quarterback pressures.

A.J. Thomas had seven tackles and broke up four passes from his safety spot.

Gardner-Webb will enjoy its final open date of the spring before closing out the season on April 17 at Charleston Southern (Noon / ESPN+). Monmouth, sure to rise in the national polls this week, will host No. 7 Kennesaw State in what amounts to the Big South title game next Saturday in New Jersey.