HUNTINGTON, WVa. – Gardner-Webb's defense kept the Runnin' Bulldogs close at FBS Marshall for 30 minutes Saturday, but the Thundering Herd slowly pulled away in the second half for a 28-7 win.

Gardner-Webb (1-4) will turn its attention now to Big South Conference play, making another long road trip next week to face Robert Morris in Moon Township, Pa. The game is set for a Noon kickoff on Saturday, October 8 (ESPN+).

GWU limited Marshall to just 67 rushing yards on 28 carries in the first half and trailed 14-7 at the break. The Runnin' Bulldogs went down 7-0 with 9:30 to play in the first quarter after A.J. Turner scored on a 24-yard pass from Henry Columbi, but tied the game when Ty Anderson stepped in front of a Columbi pass and darted 45 yards for a touchdown with 3:03 to play in the quarter.

That score remained the same until a short field finally helped the Herd go in front on a 10-yard screen from Colombi to Corey Gammage with 5:48 to play before halftime.

Gardner-Webb could not get its offense on track, gaining only 72 yards of total offense and two first downs in the opening half. A pair of interceptions and a costly fumble after a 49-yard gain hindered that effort.

Marshall (3-2) took a 21-7 lead on its first drive of the third quarter, marching 67 yards on 10 plays for a 21-7 lead. Khalan Laborn capped that drive with a one-yard plunge. 

Gardner-Webb's defense once again clamped down, holding the Herd scoreless through the end of the third quarter. Midway through the fourth, however, Marshall struck again – with Laborn breaking loose on a 78-yard touchdown run for a 28-7 lead with 8:11 to play in the game.

Laborn, a former five-star recruit who was ranked as the No. 1 high school running back in the nation, finished with 191 yards rushing on 35 carries with two scores. Marshall compiled 422 total offensive yards – much of that production coming in the second half. Columbi (13-of-20, 138 yards, 2 TD) and Cam Fancher (8-of-13, 42 yards) split time at quarterback for much of the game for the Herd.

Gardner-Webb was held to a season-low 143 yards of total offense and eight first downs, with just 19 yards coming on the ground. Bailey Fisher was sacked twice and completed just 9-of-28 passes for 114 yards and three interceptions.

Donovan Jones had four carries for 37 yards and caught a 15-yard pass. Deland Thomas had a 49-yard reception early in the game.

Marshall dominated time of possession, holding onto the ball for 38:26 (22:19 in the first half alone) and clipped off 86 plays to Gardner-Webb's 51. The Herd forced four turnovers, but were hampered by 10 penalties and three sacks.

William McRainey led Gardner-Webb's defensive effort with 14 total tackles and Ty French added 11 tackles, 2.0 quarterback sacks and a forced fumble. Anderson finished with a career-high nine stops, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pick six. French and Anderson combined for five quarterback hurries.