BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb ran for 240 yards and used a 21-point second quarter to roll to a 38-17 win over North Carolina A&T for the program's first Big South title since 2003.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (6-5, 5-0 Big South) earned the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs and will learn their first round opponent on Sunday at 12:30 pm. The team will gather in Tucker Student Center to watch the selection show on ESPNU at that time.
Narii Gaither had 15 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns and Jayden Brown carried 12 times for 93 yards and two scores to pace Gardner-Webb's offense – which put up its punishing ground numbers against the nation's 6th-ranked defense.
It was Gardner-Webb's defense that won the day, limiting the Aggies to 87 yards on the ground after recording three sacks and 32 yards in losses with an agressive approach.
After falling behind 14-10 on Bhayshul Tuten's 61-yard touchdown run with 8:04 to play before halftime, Gardner-Webb exploded with a six-play, 63-yard scoring drive that lasted only 1:44. Brown broke free for a 19-yard touchdown run to give Gardner-Webb the lead for good.
Gaither added a short touchdown run to give Gardner-Webb a 24-14 lead at the break and sprinted 20 yards for a score with 11:56 left in the third quarter to put Gardner-Webb up three scores. Brown added a short touchdown run with 9:30 left in the game for the final margin.
The Runnin' Bulldogs fell behind 7-0 early after turning the ball over on its first offensive play, with A&T using a 23-yard strike from Jalen Fowler to Zach Leslie for a quick lead.
Gardner-Webb picked up a turnover after punting deep inside Aggies' territory, but the visitors buckled down defensively and forced a short field goal that Jay Billingsley calmly drained to cut the lead to 7-3.
The 'Dogs came alive in the second quarter, zipping down the field in just 2:30 to take a 10-7 lead. That march took five plays and 75 yards, culminating in a 23-yard touchdown pass from Bailey Fisher to Cutrell Haywood with 10:40 to play before half.
Tuten, who had been bottled up for the first 20 minutes, finally found daylight and sprinted 61 yards for his lone touchdown of the game to give the Aggies their final lead of the day.
Gardner-Webb responded with its quick strike and outscored North Carolina A&T 27-3 the rest of the way.
The Runnin' Bulldogs posted 401 yards of total offense on 78 plays, wearing down the opposing defense by the fourth quarter. GWU ran for 161 of its yards after halftime and managed 10 first downs in the final 30 minutes.
Fisher went 15-of-26 for 161 yards and a score, finding Haywood six times for 97 yards and a touchdown with the Aggie defense keying on stopping deep threat TJ Luther (six catches, 62 yards).
Gardner-Webb's defense got 10 hits from linebacker
William McRainey (six solo). The Shallotte, N.C., junior also forced and recovered a fumble in the first quarter.
Cornerback
Raequan Ousley was sensational, collecting eight tackles, three pass break ups, a 33-yard interception return and a forced fumble. Jamari Brown had six solo stops and a 40-yard fumble return to set up a score – and Ty French added his 11th sack of the season to go with four quarterback hurries.
The Aggies managed 340 yards of total offense, with Tuten posting another 100-yard effort individually. He carried 17 times for 108 yards and a score and caught five passes for 45 yards.
Fowler completed 21-of-36 passes for 253 yards and a touchdown, but was sacked three times and tossed a pair of interceptions. Jacob Roberts led the defense with 10 stops.
Gardner-Webb will play next Saturday in the first round of the NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs. Opponent and site will be determined – and announced – Sunday afternoon.
