Photo by: Big South Conference
Gardner-Webb to Face Mercer in First Round of FCS Playoffs
November 19, 2023 | Football
Mercer leads all-time series 1-0
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs return to the FCS Playoffs for the second straight season, facing Mercer in the opening round on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 3:00 P.M.
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This is the second straight year Gardner-Webb has qualified for the FCS Playoffs. The Runnin' Bulldogs earned the automatic bid to the playoffs from the Big South-OVC Football Association thanks to a 38-34 victory over UT Martin on Saturday, Oct. 28. GWU clinched their second straight conference championship with a 34-10 win over Charleston Southern on Saturday, Nov. 18.
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Gardner-Webb made the 2022 FCS Playoffs last year, defeating Eastern Kentucky 52-41 in the first round before falling to #5 William & Mary 54-14 in the second round.
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This is Mercer's first-ever trip to the FCS Playoffs. The Bears enter the game 8-3 overall and 6-2 in conference play out of the SoCon. Mercer has won four in a row, including a 45-38 victory over #10 Western Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 28.
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This will be the second meeting all-time between Mercer and Gardner-Webb. The then 16th ranked Bears rolled to a 45-14 victory over the Runnin' Bulldogs inside Spangler Stadium on Sept. 24, 2022.
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The winner of the matchup between the Bears and the Runnin' Bulldogs will head to Brookings, S.D. to face #1 South Dakota State on Saturday, Dec. 2.
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Kickoff between Mercer and Gardner-Webb is set for 3:00 P.M. The game will be streaming live on ESPN+. An audio broadcast via the Runnin' Bulldog Sports Network presented by AlphaGraphics South Charlotte will also be available on the radio at WGNC 1450 AM/101.1 FM, or online via The Varsity Network App and at gwusports.com. Tickets are available at mercerbears.com.
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For more information on Gardner-Webb football, fans can follow the team on Twitter/X at @GWUFootball or on Instagram at @gwufootball.
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This is the second straight year Gardner-Webb has qualified for the FCS Playoffs. The Runnin' Bulldogs earned the automatic bid to the playoffs from the Big South-OVC Football Association thanks to a 38-34 victory over UT Martin on Saturday, Oct. 28. GWU clinched their second straight conference championship with a 34-10 win over Charleston Southern on Saturday, Nov. 18.
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Gardner-Webb made the 2022 FCS Playoffs last year, defeating Eastern Kentucky 52-41 in the first round before falling to #5 William & Mary 54-14 in the second round.
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This is Mercer's first-ever trip to the FCS Playoffs. The Bears enter the game 8-3 overall and 6-2 in conference play out of the SoCon. Mercer has won four in a row, including a 45-38 victory over #10 Western Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 28.
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This will be the second meeting all-time between Mercer and Gardner-Webb. The then 16th ranked Bears rolled to a 45-14 victory over the Runnin' Bulldogs inside Spangler Stadium on Sept. 24, 2022.
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The winner of the matchup between the Bears and the Runnin' Bulldogs will head to Brookings, S.D. to face #1 South Dakota State on Saturday, Dec. 2.
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Kickoff between Mercer and Gardner-Webb is set for 3:00 P.M. The game will be streaming live on ESPN+. An audio broadcast via the Runnin' Bulldog Sports Network presented by AlphaGraphics South Charlotte will also be available on the radio at WGNC 1450 AM/101.1 FM, or online via The Varsity Network App and at gwusports.com. Tickets are available at mercerbears.com.
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For more information on Gardner-Webb football, fans can follow the team on Twitter/X at @GWUFootball or on Instagram at @gwufootball.
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