Gardner-Webb Trio Earns Big South Football Weekly Honors Monday Afternoon
November 21, 2022 | Football
CHARLOTTE – Gardner-Webb dominated the final Big South Football weekly awards Monday, with Narii Gaither, William McRainey and Jayden Brown honored by the league office.
Gaither (Rock Hill, S.C. / Rock Hill HS) was named Offensive Player of the Week, McRainey (Shallotte, N.C. / West Brunswick HS) was named Defensive Player of the Week and Brown (Lithonia, Ga. / Miller Grove HS) was named Freshman of the Week following the team's 38-17 win over North Carolina A&T.
Gaither ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, averaging a cool 7.1 yards per clip.
He posted his fifth 100-yard game of the season, and third in Big South Conference play, to lead Gardner-Webb in Saturday's league title bout. Gaither scored on runs of two and 20 yards, with his second sprint putting Gardner-Webb up 31-14. Six of Gaither's carries went for first downs. Gaither did not play in the fourth quarter after Gardner-Webb built its lead.
McRainey collected a game-high 10 total tackles (six solo), 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble – which he also recovered – in the win.
He led a fierce defense charge that limited North Carolina A&T to its second-lowest rushing output of the season – 87 yards – and did not allow a sustained touchdown drive (75+ yards and 3:00+ time of possession).
McRainey's strip and recovery of a fumble deep in North Carolina A&T territory in the first quarter stemmed early momentum for the visitors and resulted in a field goal for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Brown played most of his snaps late in Saturday's game, helping Gardner-Webb put away the Aggies.
He ran for 93 yards and a pair of scores and had a 37-yard kickoff return to finish with 138 all-purpose yards. Brown also had an eight-yard reception.
Brown's 19-yard sprint to the end zone put Gardner-Webb up for good (17-14) midway through the second quarter. His final score, a one-yard plunge, provided the final margin.
The rookie running back has been sharp in Big South play, scoring all five of his touchdowns and accounting for 91.1 percent of his season rushing yardage against league foes.
Monday's honor was Brown's third Freshman of the Week award this season.
Gardner-Webb opens the 2022 FCS Playoffs on Saturday, November 26 at Eastern Kentucky. Kickoff is set for 5:00 pm (ESPN+).
Gaither (Rock Hill, S.C. / Rock Hill HS) was named Offensive Player of the Week, McRainey (Shallotte, N.C. / West Brunswick HS) was named Defensive Player of the Week and Brown (Lithonia, Ga. / Miller Grove HS) was named Freshman of the Week following the team's 38-17 win over North Carolina A&T.
Gaither ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, averaging a cool 7.1 yards per clip.
He posted his fifth 100-yard game of the season, and third in Big South Conference play, to lead Gardner-Webb in Saturday's league title bout. Gaither scored on runs of two and 20 yards, with his second sprint putting Gardner-Webb up 31-14. Six of Gaither's carries went for first downs. Gaither did not play in the fourth quarter after Gardner-Webb built its lead.
McRainey collected a game-high 10 total tackles (six solo), 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble – which he also recovered – in the win.
He led a fierce defense charge that limited North Carolina A&T to its second-lowest rushing output of the season – 87 yards – and did not allow a sustained touchdown drive (75+ yards and 3:00+ time of possession).
McRainey's strip and recovery of a fumble deep in North Carolina A&T territory in the first quarter stemmed early momentum for the visitors and resulted in a field goal for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Brown played most of his snaps late in Saturday's game, helping Gardner-Webb put away the Aggies.
He ran for 93 yards and a pair of scores and had a 37-yard kickoff return to finish with 138 all-purpose yards. Brown also had an eight-yard reception.
Brown's 19-yard sprint to the end zone put Gardner-Webb up for good (17-14) midway through the second quarter. His final score, a one-yard plunge, provided the final margin.
The rookie running back has been sharp in Big South play, scoring all five of his touchdowns and accounting for 91.1 percent of his season rushing yardage against league foes.
Monday's honor was Brown's third Freshman of the Week award this season.
Gardner-Webb opens the 2022 FCS Playoffs on Saturday, November 26 at Eastern Kentucky. Kickoff is set for 5:00 pm (ESPN+).
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