BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb redshirt freshman Janiero Crankfield picked up a pair of honors Monday afternoon following a stellar effort in the season opener.

Crankfield (Orlando, Fla. / Bishop Moore) was named Big South Freshman of the Week and honorable mention FedEx Ground Stats Perform National Freshman of the Week.

The speedy running back carried nine times for 89 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Limestone and compiled 134 all-purpose yards. He caught one pass for 12 yards and had 33 return yards as part of a dominant performance.

The 5-foot-8, 175-pounder helped Gardner-Webb tie a school record with eight rushing touchdowns in the game and helped the Runnin' Bulldogs run for 412 yards – the most in a single game since joining the Division I ranks in 2000 and the second-best total in program history.

Crankfield scored on runs of five, five and 21 yards, giving Gardner-Webb leads of 21-0, 35-7 and 56-14 on Thursday night. He averaged 9.9 yards per carry, one of five GWU ball carriers to average at least 9.0 yards per carry in the game.

The rushing performance was a breakout for Crankfield, who qualified for a redshirt last season after playing in four games. He did not record a rushing attempt in 2021 but returned three kickoffs for 58 yards.

Gardner-Webb (1-0) will travel to Conway, S.C., on Saturday, September 10, to battle former Big South foe Coastal Carolina at 6:00 pm. The two teams last met in 2016, the Chanticleers' first transition season to the FBS Sun Belt Conference.

Saturday's game will stream live on ESPN+ and will air on WGNC Radio 1450 AM / 101.1 FM with Dave Friedman and Reggie Walker.