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

*    The Runnin' Bulldogs have scored 50 or more points 19 times during its NCAA Division I tenure, going 18-1 in those games. The only loss came in a 53-51 sprint at Charlotte on October 5, 2013.

*    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.

*    Gardner-Webb was 2-2 in four meetings with Coastal Carolina head coach Jamey Chadwell during his time at  Charleston Southern in the Big South. Both wins came when the Bucs were ranked in the top-15 nationally (2013, 2016).

*    Gardner-Webb is 45-12 when limiting opponents to less than 100 yards rushing. The 'Dogs have accomplished the feat five times in its last eight home games under current defensive coordinator Josh Reardon.

*    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 hits the road on Saturday to begin a two-game swing away from home, visiting former Big South foe Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C. Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm with the live stream available on ESPN+ (Jeff McCarragher, Nate Ross). 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
Gardner-Webb and Coastal Carolina have a series history that dates back to the Chanticleers' first season in 2003 ... Coastal leads the all-time series 12-2, with both of Gardner-Webb's wins coming on the road in 2003 and 2011 ... The two teams' last meeting came on October 15, 2016 in Boiling Springs, with Coastal Carolina coming away with a 17-7 win ... Four of the seven games played in Conway have been decided by five points or less, including Gardner-Webb's win in 2011 (26-24) and GWU losses in 2005 (34-31, OT), 2007 (17-14) and 2009 (26-21).

GREAT EIGHT
Gardner-Webb tied a school record with eight rushing touchdowns in its opening night win over Limestone (9/1) and did not pass for a touchdown for the first time since a February 27, 2021 win over No. 24 Elon during the spring season. Five different GWU players scored on the ground, with Janiero Crankfield (3) and Bailey Fisher (2) leading the way.

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 7-9 in his brief tenure, with two of those losses coming to 85-scholarship FBS programs. Coastal Carolina head coach Jamey Chadwell is in his fifth season in charge of the Chants and is coming off back-to-back seasons with 11 wins. Chadwell has won 92 games overall as a college head coach in 12 seasons, including a successful stint in the Big South at Charleston Southern (2013-2016).

COASTAL-GWU CONNECTIONS
Gardner-Webb and Coastal Carolina have several connections on the gridiron, with each coaching staff featuring an alum from the other school on the sidelines ... Gardner-Webb running backs coach Dominique Davenport played safety for the Chanticleers and was an All-Big South choice in 2010. He returned an interception for six points in CCU's overtime win at Gardner-Webb in 2010 ... Chanticleers' corners coach Bryant Foster played safety and linebacker at Gardner-Webb from 1996-1999 and also served on the coaching staff as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator ... GWU's All-Big South center, Gabriel Thompson (6-3, 304, Jr.) is the younger brother of former Coastal Carolina All-Sun Belt choice Sam Thompson ... The younger Thompson is also Gardner-Webb's SAAC President. 

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. He didn't disappoint in the season opener, churning out 137 yards and a score on just 13 carries – despite playing less than two full quarters.
 
BONJOUR
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 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.

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 active ball carriers who has at least one touchdown run of 40 yards or more during their time in Boiling Springs – 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 32 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 32 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.

CRANK IT UP
Redshirt freshman back Janiero Crankfield (5-8, 175) made the most of his first significant playing time in the backfield on September 1, racing for 89 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries. He added a 12-yard catch and 33 return yards for 134 all-purpose yards in a blowout win. Crankfield was named Big South Freshman of the Week and Stats Perform FedEx Ground honorable mention FCS National Freshman of the Week for his efforts. The Orlando, Fla., native played in four games last season, but still qualified for a redshirt.

THE PARTNERSHIP
The Big South Conference and the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) have created an association of their football member institutions, to begin with the 2023 NCAA Division I football season. The unique agreement combines the two conferences' football membership to ensure NCAA championship access. It will provide the football member institutions a schedule of games against all the teams in their home conference and additional games against schools from the other conference. This new model for FCS football also creates more stability for the multisport conferences.

LID LIFTERS
Gardner-Webb won its 12th season opener since 2002 on Thursday night and has more wins in seasons openers during that stretch than any other Big South Conference team. GWU is 12-9 in those games.

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.

TACKLES AND BOOKS
All-Big South linebacker William McRainey (6-0, 219, Jr.) has started each game of his career so far and led the league, while 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.

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.

UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb will continue its reunion tour of former Big South schools, traveling to face Elon on September 17 at 6:00 pm. The game will stream live on FloSports and will air live on WGNC Radio 1450 am / 101.1 FM with Dave Friedman and Reggie Walker.