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QUICK HITTERS
*   Gardner-Webb head coach Tre Lamb (32, September 16, 1989) is the second youngest head coach in the FCS ranks 
    currently, with only new Austin Peay skipper Scotty Walden (32, November 15, 1989) slightly younger.

*   Gardner-Webb is 26-24-2 in its season openers since beginning senior college football play in 1970.

*   Gardner-Webb's average margin of defeat in four of its losses last season was just 5.8 ppg. That included narrow
    road losses at FBS Georgia Southern, #10 Kennesaw State and Hampton (double OT).

*   Narii Gaither is one of only two backs returning for the 2022 season in the FCS who led their team in receptions and 
    rushing yards last season, along with Tennessee State's Devon Starling. Gaither played in just eight full games.

*   Limestone's Mike Furrey is one of four head coaches on Gardner-Webb's 2022 schedule who played in the NFL, 
    joining Campbell's Mike Minter, North Carolina A&T's Sam Washington and Robert Morris' Bernard Clark.

*   Gardner-Webb is 44-12 when limiting opponents to less than 100 yards rushing. The 'Dogs have accomplished the 
    feat four times in its last seven home games under current defensive coordinator Josh Reardon.

*   Gardner-Webb has 24 men on its 2022 numerical roster who played high school football within an hour of the
    Boiling Springs, N.C., campus. 

*   Gardner-Webb has two preseason All-America selections on its roster – Narii Gaither and Ty French – for the first
    time since 2014. GWU is the lone Big South squad with multiple preseason All-America selections in 2022.

*   Gardner-Webb and Charleston Southern are the two remaining original football members of the Big South 
    Conference. The two schools began play in 2002, with GWU claiming that first league trophy. The first
    conference season featured GWU, CSU, Liberty and Elon.

THE GAME
Gardner-Webb opens its 2022 season at home on Thursday, September 1, hosting nearby NCAA Division II foe Limestone University at 7:00 pm in Ernest W. Spangler Stadium. The game will stream live on ESPN+ with Phil Constantino and Mark Covert on the call. Dave Friedman and Reginald Walker, Jr., will call the game on the radio live on WGNC 1450 AM / 101.1 FM. The radio stream is also available via the TuneIn Radio app.

SERIES NOTES
Despite their proximity – just 15.2 miles – Gardner-Webb and Limestone have met only once in the sport of football ... Gardner-Webb won that meeting by a 52-17 score to open the 2018 season, also on September 1 ... Defensive end Shai Thomas scored twice in the game, on a fumble recovery in the end zone and on a 41-yard interception return just before the half to put GWU up 35-10 at the break ... Gardner-Webb ran for 242 yards in that game and finished with 406 yards of total offense.  

BALANCE
Gardner-Webb was quite balanced offensively in 2021, scoring 20 touchdowns through the air and on the ground. The Runnin' Bulldogs were more effective yardage wise through the air, gaining 238.3 yards per game, but still managed 157.3 yards per game with its running attack.

THE HEAD COACHES
Gardner-Webb head coach Tre Lamb is the second-youngest skipper in Division I football at age 32, and will celebrate his birthday on September 16. Lamb is 6-9 in his brief tenure, with two of those losses coming to 85-scholarship FBS programs. Mike Furrey is in his seocnd stint as Limestone's head coach and has gone 9-12 over his first two seasons (2016-2017). Furrey returning to Gaffney this past offseason after a brief stint with the Chicago Bears.

THE MAYOR OF ROCK HILL
Gardner-Webb welcomes back one of the most talented offensive players in the country in Narii Gaither (5-10, 181, Sr.). The Rock HIll, S.C., native is a preseason FCS All-America choice as an all-purpose back and is one of only two men in the nation returning  after leading his team in both rushing yards and receptions. Gaither, who nearly reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark last season despite playing in just eight full games, was also recently named to the Walter Payton Award Watch List – given annually to the top offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.
 
FRENCH COOKING
Another star returning for Gardner-Webb plays defense and does so at a very high level. Defensive end Ty French (6-3, 234, Jr.) is also a preseason FCS All-America choice, as well as one of the nation's most feared pass rushers. A disruptive force on the edge, the Moultrie, Ga., native had 14.5 tackles for loss last season and recorded 7.0 sacks over his final four starts of the season. A two-time, first-team All-Big South selection, French was recently named to the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List. The Buchanan Award is given each season to the top defender in the Football Championship Subdivision.

HOME COOKING
Gardner-Webb will open a season at home for the first time since 2018, which was also against Limestone. The Runnin' Bulldogs have won four home openers in a row and have won seven times in home openers since the 2010 season. Gardner-Webb has played the first game of its season at home 11 times since moving to NCAA Division I in 2000, forging a 9-2 mark. The only losses came to No. 10 Wofford (2012) and No. 25 North Carolina A&T (2017). Gardner-Webb is 16-6 in its 22 Division I home openers overall.

TIGHT SQUEEZE
Five of Gardner-Webb's seven losses last season came down to the final moments. The Runnin' Bulldogs stuffed Georgia Southern's final offensive chance and drove well into the FBS Eagles' territory in the season opener – but dropped a 30-25 decision on the road. Against Campbell in the 2021 N.C. East/West BBQ Bowl on October 9, the 'Dogs  made another key defensive stop with less than four minutes to play in a tie game. A muffed punt at the 10-yard line set the Camels up nicely for a quick go-ahead score. Campbell added another late score for a 42-28 win in Boiling Springs. On October 30, Gardner-Webb stormed back with two touchdowns in the final three minutes to take a 30-27 lead with 43 seconds left at No. 10 Kennesaw State. The Owls used a timely kickoff return out near midfield and tossed the game-winning touchdown with just 11 seconds to go. On November 6, Gardner-Webb was stopped on fourth down in the first overtime period at Hampton and the Pirates scored on first down to end the game, 26-21. GWU dropped its home finale last season in double overtime to Charleston Southern in November.

DIALING LONG DISTANCE
Gardner-Webb has four returning ball carriers who had at least one touchdown run of 40 yards or more last season. Narii Gaither (43 yards, TD), Donovan Jones (79 yards, TD), Jalin Graham (73 yards, TD) and Bailey Fisher (68 yards, TD

COMFORT IN THE TRENCHES
Preseason All-Big South linemen Clayton Frady (6-5, 295, Jr.) and Gabriel Thompson (6-3, 304, Jr) have combined for 30 career starts on offense over the past two seasons, and anchor a veteran group up front. Offensive line coach Joe Scelfo welcomes back six linemen who have starting experience on offense. Transfer center Reed Davis (6-3, 275, Gr.) earned starting experience as well during his time at UT-Martin. On defense, Janathian Turner (6-3, 306, R-Sr.) has made 31 career starts at tackle and returns to the starting lineup along with All-America end Ty French (6-3, 234, Jr.) and talented nose guard Charlie Jackson (6-4, 322, Jr.). Defensive coach Jamere Hogue also welcomes back six linemen with starting experience for the 2022 season. Transfer tackle Salik McRae (6-3, 301, Gr.) earned significant starting experience during his time on a strong Savannah State defense.

NEW STARTERS
With perhaps its most settled preseason depth chart in recent memory, Gardner-Webb will have only four new starters on offense and defense combined on Thursday night vs. Limestone. Tackle Travis Burke (6-8, 285, R-Fr.) and transfer Cutrell Haywood (6-0, 217, Gr.) will start on offense for the 'Dogs. Linebacker Brendan Jackson (6-2, 210, So.) and cornerback Raequan Ousley (5-11, 170, So.) will make starts on defense. Both Haywood (Idaho) and Jackson (Savannah State) started at their previous institutions.

THE BIG MAN
Starting tackle Travis Burke (6-8, 285, R-Fr.) is the tallest man to start a game for Gardner-Webb since junior college transfer Alex Vega (6-8, 385) started for the Runnin' Bulldogs during the 1995 season. Other recent starters near that height – defensive end Shaquille Riddick (6-7, 245) in 2013 and tackle Corey O'Daniel (6-7, 345) in 2010 both earned All-Big South honors, with Riddick named FCS National Defensive Lineman of the Year.

THE LINEBACKER
All-Big South linebacker William McRainey (6-0, 219, Jr.) has started each game of his two-year career so far and returns after leading the league and ranking No. 15 nationally with 109 total tackles last season. The Shallotte, N.C., native earned 2021 CoSIDA Academic All-District honors and will be an Academic All-America candidate again in 2022.

AGAINST LOWER DIVISIONS
Gardner-Webb has posted a 23-2 record against non-Division I schools since leaving Division II itself after the 1999 season. Each of those two losses came during GWU's transition seasons, with the last coming on the road at Virginia Union on October 13, 2001. The Runnin' Bulldogs have won 20 consecutive games against non-Division I team

SEASON OPENERS
Since its move to Division I, Gardner-Webb has gone 13-8 in season openers – home and away. Seven of those losses have come to either FBS foes (4) or nationally-ranked FCS opponents (3

VETERAN IN THE POCKET
Quarterback Bailey Fisher (5-11, 207, R-Sr.) will make his 37th career start overall on Thursday night and is approaching 7,000 yards passing and 8,000 yards of total offense during stints at Tennessee Tech and Gardner-Webb. Fisher was outstanding last season for the 'Dogs, passing for 18 touchdowns and just five interceptions. His best game came on the road in a narrow loss at No. 10 Kennesaw State, when he passed for 354 yards and the go-ahead score with just 43 seconds remaining. Fisher has a career pass efficiency rating of 125.90 heading into the 2022 season and has passed for 6,982 yards and 52 touchdowns.

THE GARDNER-WEBB FOOTBALL SHOW
The Gardner-Webb Football Show with Head Coach Tre Lamb will begin on Thursday, September 1 at high Noon in the Tucker Student Center on campus. Hosted by veteran radio man Dave Friedman, the show will air live on WGNC 1450 AM / 101.1 FM and the TuneIn Radio App. Fans are invited to drop by and listen in ahead of the 2022 season opener later that night.

FUTURE SCHEDULE NOTES
Gardner-Webb has its slate of FBS opponents almost complete for the next few seasons, with dates at Appalachian State (2023), East Carolina (2023), Charlotte (2024) and Georgia Tech (2025) and Liberty (2026) on tap.

BEST IN STATE
Three current players on Gardner-Webb's roster were State Players of the Year as seniors. Quarterback Bailey Fisher (Rabun County HS, Ga.) earned Class 2A Offensive State Player of the Year honors in 2017. Defensive back Jamari Brown (Eastside HS, Ga.) was named Class 4A Defensive State Player of the Year in 2018. Running back Donovan Jones (Champagnat Catholic, Fla.) was the Class 2A Offensive State Player of the Year in 2020

WELL PREPPED
Despite Gardner-Webb's veteran roster, several true freshmen made notable impressions during fall camp and should make a push for significant playing time early in 2022. On offense, receiver Karim Page (6-0, 180, Fr.) was among the best at his position in August drills and should see snaps on Thursday after a standout career at Dalton (Ga.) High. On defense, linebacker Ty Anderson (6-0, 210, Fr.) lived up to his advance billing. A former three-star recruit at Thomasville (Ga.) High, Anderson had 493 career stops on the prep level and will see plenty of action for Gardner-Webb this season after an impressive fall cam

HELLO OLD FRIENDS
GWU will face three former Big South Conference foes in 2022, traveling to Coastal Carolina (9/10), Elon (9/17) and Liberty (10/15). Elon is now a member of the CAA, while Coastal Carolina (Sun Belt) and Liberty (C-USA)  compete in the FBS.

PRESEASON HONOR
Narii Gaither (5-10, 181, Sr.) was named Big South Preseason Offensive Player of the Year in July, and is only the second Gardner-Webb man to earn that honor in league history. Quarterback Tyrell Maxwell was also named prior to the 2017 season after earning the postseason award in 2016. Gardner-Webb has seen seven men earn Big South Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors, including four consecutive between 2007 and 2010.

ELITE COMPANY
Gaither is one of only three backs to pace the Big South Conference in total rushing yards for two consecutive seasons, joining Liberty's Dre Barnes (2002-2003), Stony Brook's Miguel Maysonet (2010-2012) and Coastal Carolina's De'Angelo "Hop" Henderson (2014-2015) also accomplishing the feat. Maysonet is the only man to lead the league for three consecutive seasons.

SECOND (ARY) TO NO ONE
Gardner-Webb welcomes back an experienced secondary, paced by preseason All-Big South safety Jamari Brown (5-11, 198, R-Jr.). Six of the eight players on the two deep have started games during their time with the Runnin' Bulldogs. Brown returns after totaling 59 tackles (38 solo) in 10 starts. He is the Big South's top returner among secondary players in total hits.

A CUT ABOVE
Transfer Cutrell Haywood (6-0, 217, Gr.) joined the program in January from the University of Idaho and made a quick, strong impression. The Stockton, Calif., native totaled 145 receptions during his time with the Vandals, including a pair of 50-catch campaigns. He was an All-State choice at Stagg High, leading the entire state of California in yardage after catching 100 balls for 1,644 yrads and 22 scores.

UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb will hit the road next week for its first FBS test, traveling to face former Big South foe Coastal Carolina on September 10 in Conway. The two teams last met in 2016 in Spangler Stadium. The Runnin' Bulldogs have won twice against the Chanticleers in Brooks Stadium, winning in 2003 and 2011. The game is set for a 6:00 pm kickoff on ESPN+ and WGNC 1450 AM / 101.1 FM.